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Adult Social Care Certificate

Learn the essential skills, knowledge and behaviours to deliver safe and effective adult social care.

Course overview

At a glance

Level

2

Duration

6-8 months

Location

Online

About the course:

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.

 

Is this course right for you?

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.

“Empowering growth in adult care starts with the right support. The Realise Health and Social Care team is dedicated to guiding staff through the Level 2 Adult Care Certificate, helping them build confidence, skills, and knowledge to make a meaningful impact. Together, we achieve success, one step at a time!”

Lesley O’Connor, Head of Health & Social Care Strategic Development

What you’ll learn:

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.

Need more information?

No problem. It doesn’t matter if your query is big or small, our teams are here to help. Just complete a quick enquiry form and we’ll be in contact soon to assist you with your query.

How you’ll learn:

Training is completed through a mix of self-study, virtual teaching and work-based learning over a duration of 6 – 8 months. Learners will benefit from an expert trainer, who will be on hand at all times, giving personalised guidance and feedback so that they get the very best support.

Our sector expert trainers will support you to achieve the qualification. We have highly skilled and knowledgeable staff with significant experience of working in the industry who will be able to share their experiences and provide individualised support to you.

Throughout the programme, you will enjoy a diverse and flexible mix of learning delivery methods. This allows you to fit your training around busy work schedules and shift patterns, minimising disruption to care services.

You will engage with interactive resources and flip book reading and assessment activities. Online sessions will be guided by trainers to support your learning. Practical application of skills will be developed in real-life and authentic care situations to help bring your learning to life.

Assesment:

  • 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.

Our experts

The people that make it happen

Annmarie

Training & development officer

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Annmarie

Training & development officer

I have been working in the social care sector since I was 19. Starting off as a care co-ordinator and community carer and progressing onto be a registered manager at 23. I trained to become an assessor after being a manager for five years. I have been assessing now for 8 years with Realise. I love my role being able to support carers to better themselves and the role has definitely evolved in the past eight years!

Frequently asked questions

Does this qualification hold professional value?
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The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification is an Ofqual-regulated qualification. For those with years of experience in the sector who seek recognition for their skilled care, this qualification offers a path to earn a formal credential. Investing in staff training and support will help attract, retain, and develop talent within the workforce.

What is different compared to the old Level 2 Adult Care Certificate?
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The new certificate goes into greater depth when covering the mandatory care standards and now includes key topics such as supporting those with a learning disability or autism.

Why was the new Level 2 Adult Care Certificate introduced?
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The Skills for Care-approved and Ofqual-accredited Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate aims to bridge the sector’s skills gap, where over 54% of direct care workers lack a Level 2 qualification. Possession of the certificate will reduce the need for repeat training and provide a baseline standard of care in England.

How will employer reimbursement work?
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Eligible employers will be able to claim up to £1500 per qualification for employees who have started between 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025. 60% of the qualification will be reimbursed when the employee starts the qualification, with the remaining 40% provided upon completion.

Can overseas workers access funding for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate?
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Yes. Workers from overseas are also eligible to access this funding, ensuring wider support for adult social care employers.

Ready to take the next step?

Let’s talk. You’re only a few clicks away from enquiring about this course. Don’t delay, get in touch and start something exciting today!