Course Description
This qualification is designed to provide learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to develop competence as a lead adult care worker in a range of care settings.
The qualification contains both mandatory and optional units, allowing learners to tailor the qualification to meet their needs, interests, preferred progression paths and the context of their job role.
The content is applicable to a variety of roles and covers a wide range of areas:
- aspects of support
specialisms - clinical skills or healthcare tasks
- leadership and management skills
It is aimed at all those who wish to work, or are already working in, health and social care settings in England.
Who is it suitable for?
This qualification is designed for those who wish to work, or are already working in, health and social care settings in England.
What are the entry requirements?
There are no specific prior skills/knowledge a learner must have for this qualification. However, learners may find it helpful if they have already achieved a level 2 qualification in a related subject area, such as health and social care.
How is this qualification structured?
To be awarded this qualification, learners are required to successfully achieve 58 credits: 39 credits from the mandatory units and a minimum of 19 credits from the optional units. At least 35 credits must be achieved at level 3 or above.
How is it assessed?
This qualification is internally assessed and externally quality assured via a portfolio of evidence.
How long will it take to complete this qualification?
Learners can usually complete the qualification in 12 to 24 months.
Is employment or completion of work/industry placement required for this qualification?
The learner must be working, volunteering or on practical placement in an appropriate setting to be able to meet the assessment requirements of this qualification.
What related qualifications can you progress to?
- Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services (England)
Learners who complete this qualification can apply for roles in the following areas:
- lead adult care worker
- senior care support worker
- lead personal assistant
What You’ll Learn From This Course
- Person-centred, effective care practice — communication, choice and independence, and person-centred approaches to supporting individuals
- Health, safety and safeguarding — infection prevention and control, health and safety, duty of care, safeguarding, and mental capacity in care settings
- Equality and professional standards — equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights, alongside handling information and continuous development
- Specialist and optional skills — a choice of optional units tailored to specific interests, such as dementia care, end-of-life care, medication support, or leadership and supervision skills
Certification
This is the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (ref: 610/7192/4) — a substantial, Ofqual-regulated qualification worth 58 credits and 453 guided learning hours. It’s built from 15 mandatory units plus a wide range of optional units, so learners can tailor it to their role and career direction. On completion, it prepares learners for roles like lead adult care worker, senior care support worker, or lead personal assistant, and opens the door to further study at Levels 4 and 5.
