Adult Care - Level 3

Summary

This qualification will develop the knowledge and skills needed when working in a lead adult care worker role in care settings. It will provide you with in-depth knowledge and skills in areas such as supporting individuals with their physical and emotional care, daily living needs and health and social care procedures.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
11 Nov 2025
Bispham Campus
27 Weeks

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This qualification will support many roles within the adult care sector. These include lead support worker, residential support worker, care assistant and mental health support or clinical support worker. If you successfully complete the course you might want to consider progressing to the Foundation Degree Health and Social Care.

Key information

Entry Requirements

To enrol on this course you must:

  • Be over 19 year of age on the 31st August before the course start date
  • Be in a placement, which relates to adult care for a minimum of 6 hours a week (this can be working or volunteering)
  • Have achieved a Level 2 qualification, which relates to adult care or have a minimum of 6 months volunteering or working in the care sector

Qualification obtained

Diploma in Adult Care

Fees and funding

Some courses are fully funded for adult learners and, for those that aren’t, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

You may also be eligible for financial support which can include help with childcare. To check if you’re eligible and to apply for financial help, visit our dedicated page on Financial Support for Adult Learners.

Extra costs and equipment

As this course is delivered online, regular access to a laptop/PC is essential in order to attend the sessions and to complete the assessment tasks/electronic workbooks.

All other equipment/resources you require for this course are provided by B&FC at no extra cost.

You may need to consider any costs that you would incur to attend placement. Some support with travel and childcare costs may be available.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: NCFE

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

A placement is essential for this course either working or volunteering within the adult care sector. This must be arranged by you prior to the course starting and then must continue for the duration of the course for a minimum of 6 hours a week.

There are no field trips on this programme.

How will I learn?

Your course will begin with you attending college for an induction session to meet the curriculum team.

The course will then be delivered remotely with live lectures and support sessions schedule for a total of 4.5 hours a week for 24 weeks (term time only).

Within these sessions there will be tutor delivery, question and answer, discussion, group work tasks and individual tasks.

Approximately every 5 weeks you will attend College for a small group seminar within your scheduled delivery time.

All dates for college attendance will be provided at the start of your course.

You will also have regular contact with your assessor throughout your course who will also attend your placement to observe the development of your skills in practice.

It is expected that you will complete a minimum of 3 hours independent study, each week, outside of the class to complete the assessment tasks which take the form of electronic workbooks.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

This qualification is built up of mandatory and optional units, the units which are covered within the qualification include:

  • Promote Communication in Care Settings
  • Promote Effective Handling of Information in Care Settings
  • Promote Personal Development in Care Settings
  • Promote Person-Centred Approaches in Care Settings
  • Promote Equality and Inclusion in Care Settings
  • Promote Health, Safety and Wellbeing in Care Settings
  • Responsibilities of a Care Worker
  • Safeguarding and Protection in Care Settings
  • Duty of Care in Care Settings
  • Mental Capacity
  • Implement Therapeutic Group Activities
  • Lead an Effective Team
  • Personal and Professional Behaviour
  • Understand Mental Health
  • Services and Facilities
  • Understand the Process and Experience of Dementia
     

Learners will be able to choose one specialist pathway (related to their job / placement) to complete the specialist/optional units. Support from the tutor will be provided to ensure the learner has a good understanding of all the different pathways available.

The specialist/optional pathways include:
 

Elderly / Homecare / Nursing
  • Move and Position
  • Nutrition and Hydration
     
Learning Disabilities / Supported Living
  • Multiple Conditions and/or Disabilities
  • Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities
     
Mental Health / Recovery
  • Multiple Conditions and/or Disabilities
  • Support Individuals during a Period of Change
     

Written assessments and practical observations will be used to assess your knowledge and understanding. There are no exams for this qualification.