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Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

Summary

The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate has been developed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and is the new qualification for those working in the adult care sector and which has been developed as recognition of the care workforce as the professional workforce that it is.

This qualification, which has been developed from the 15 widely used Care Certificate standards. The learning outcomes have been updated for an awareness of learning disability and autism to be consistent with learning outcomes from the Core Capabilities Frameworks.

This qualification will be available both through weekly classroom based sessions and also as an online learning programme. Regardless of delivery method chosen, it also includes a direct observation of skills in the workplace as part of the assessment process. This means that the course should be completed whilst in employment within the care industry.

The Adult Social Care Certificate will support you to have up to date baseline skills and knowledge required to support people within a social care setting to a good standard.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
30 Jan 2026
Community Based
18 Weeks
30 Jan 2027
Community Based
18 Weeks

Pathways in Health, Education and Childcare

Advance your career in education or healthcare with professional development courses in pastoral and social care, ideal for gaining promotion or landing your first role.

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The Adult Social Care Certificate will support you to have up to date baseline skills and knowledge required to support people within a social care setting to a good standard. From this starting point, you will be able to access further qualifications and work-based training options that will provide further upskilling and career progression.

Key information

Entry Requirements

This an adult course and you need to have been over the age of 19 years on the 31st August to be considered for a place. You need to be employed within an adult social care setting such as a care or nursing home to complete this qualification.

Qualification obtained

Adult Social Care Certificate

Extra costs and equipment

You will need to purchase study essentials such as a notepad and stationery. It is desirable for students to have access to an electronic device (e.g. laptop) for completing their assignments, however college facilities such as the library are available for you to access computers.

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

You need to be employed within an adult social care setting such as a care or nursing home to complete this qualification.

How will I learn?

Should you choose to attend College, you will engage in weekly College sessions with a specialist tutor. You will complete assignments/tasks on a weekly basis and these will be uploaded to an electronic portfolio.

If you choose to study online, you will have access to a learning platform and also be assigned a specialist tutor to support you. You will complete assignments/tasks online and upload these to the learning platform.

In addition, you will have a minimum of 1 observation in your place of employment to which will be completed by your assessor to confirm your competence. You will also complete a minimum of 2 professional discussions with your assessor to discuss your practice.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

The units that you will study are:

  • Understand own role and responsibilities in adult social care
  • Personal development in adult social care settings
  • Duty of care in adult social care
  • Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights in adult social care
  • Work in a person-centred way
  • Communication in adult social care
  • Privacy and dignity in adult social care settings
  • Support individuals to meet nutrition and hydration needs
  • Awareness of mental health conditions and dementia
  • Safeguarding adults
  • Safeguarding children
  • Health, safety and principles of basic life support
  • Handling information
  • Infection prevention and control (IPC)
  • Awareness of learning disability and autism

All units will be internally assessed using a range of methods including completing workbooks and written questions.

Should you choose to attend College, you will engage in weekly College sessions with a specialist tutor. You will complete assignments/tasks on a weekly basis and these will be uploaded to an electronic portfolio.

If you choose to study online, you will have access to a learning platform and also be assigned a specialist tutor to support you. You will complete assignments/tasks online and upload these to the learning platform.

In addition, you will have a minimum of 1 observation in your place of employment to which will be completed by your assessor to confirm your competence. You will also complete a minimum of 2 professional discussions with your assessor to discuss your practice.