Developed with Skills for Care, Health Education England and Skills for Health, this Level 2 Certificate will equip learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to have a base level competency for a role in adult social care. The programme is suitable for those looking to enter the sector and those who already work in a direct adult social care setting.

Eligible employers can claim up to £1,500 per qualification for employees who have started the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

The programme aligns with Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations, meaning learners will meet the required standards for care provision. This helps maintain high standards of care and supports regulatory compliance.

If you are looking to enter the sector or are already working in adult care and wish to progress or gain a portable and standardised qualification, then this programme could be ideal for you.

Learners will be expected to be working at Level 1 English to be able to undertake the qualification and to have basic digital skills and access to technology for the online study.

To be eligible you must:

• Be aged 19+.
• Hold a valid National Insurance Number.
• Have undertaken an employer induction.

Workers from overseas are also eligible to access funding for this course.

As an adult care worker, you’ll already recognise how important it is to maintain the very best care and support. This programme will ensure you meet the 15 mandatory standards of care and will also cover previously neglected subjects including supporting people with a learning disability or autism.

Typical job titles and job roles suitable for the programme include: Care Assistant, Support Worker, Nursing Home Assistant, Relief Support Worker, Domiciliary Care Assistant, Residential Care Assistant.

The course will cover all 15 mandatory care standards and totals 318 guided learning hours.

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand your role and collaborative work in a health or social care setting, aligned with your employer’s expectations.
• Know how to create a personal development plan and its benefits.
• Grasp your duty of care, including handling dilemmas, complaints, and difficult situations.
• Recognise diversity, equality, and inclusion, ensuring inclusive practices.
• Understand person-centred values and support individuals in a person-centred way.
• Value-effective communication to meet individuals’ language and communication needs.
• Explain privacy and dignity principles, promoting dignity and active care participation.
• Be aware of hydration, nutrition, and food safety, ensuring access per care plans.
• Recognise mental health, dementia, and learning disabilities, and adapt support accordingly.
• Identify abuse, adult safeguarding, and respond to concerns or disclosures.
• Know child safeguarding responsibilities within health and social care.
• Understand basic life support for adults, children, and infants.
• Grasp health and safety responsibilities, including safe movement, medication, fire safety, and risk management.
• Know how to record, store, and share information securely and report poor practices.
• Understand infection prevention and control, including appropriate PPE use.

• Theory-based understanding will be assessed through written tasks such as reflective journals to log daily activities and discussions.
• A qualified assessor will observe you in the workplace to assess practical application.
• Your supervisor will also be required to submit a written testimony to confirm the learner’s competency.