CD4 – VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
Qualification summary
The Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) sets out the minimum requirements for a qualification that develops and confirms the competence of those who work in health and adult care services in England.
The titling of each unit within the qualification mirrors the Skills for Care performance requirements listed in the agreed specification whilst the skills and knowledge requirements listed are all included within the unit content.
The qualification is suitable for learners who have, and wish to develop further, specialist skills and knowledge in their area of responsibility which enables them to lead in areas such as assessment or enablement. Learners will have responsibility for assessing performance and quality of care delivery. Their team members will look to them for inspiration, and they will provide coaching and mentoring to their colleagues.
Learners could work in a variety of settings in adult social care, including but not limited to residential care, domiciliary care or day centres. The qualification would also be suitable for Lead Personal Assistants who work as part of a Personal Assistant team at a senior level.
It would also be suitable for learners who are already working within a variety of senior practice and lead practitioner roles in adult social care, such as a community care officer, physiotherapy assistant, reablement support worker, social care assistant or telecare assistant. It could also be suitable for those seeking employment who having the ability and the opportunity to demonstrate recognisable competences.
This qualification recognises the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to demonstrate effective communication, person development, values and behaviours, health and wellbeing, responsibilities of self and others and safeguarding
It is anticipated that learners will progress to Level 5 qualifications for management or senior practitioner roles in Health and Social Care, or to specialist qualifications reflecting the context in which they work
Whilst this qualification is integrated into the Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Apprenticeship Standard, the qualification may also be undertaken outside the Apprenticeship. This could be for learners who do not meet the age or qualification requirements for a full Apprenticeship, or who wish to use the qualification for CPD, to re-skill, or other development activities.
This qualification does not require you to have any prior qualifications or levels of previous learning.
It is supported nationwide by employers. For a list of the training providers and colleges who deliver this qualification in your area please contact our customer services team.
Related Documents:
VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) Handbook
Qualification structure
Learners need to complete a minimum of 70 credits to achieve this qualification.
All units must be achieved from Group M and a minimum of 33 credits from Group O.
Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are 479
Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 700
Qualification number | Qualification reference |
CD4 | 603/2809/5 |
Group M – mandatory units
RQF unit no. | Skillsfirst unit no. | Unit title | Level | Credit value |
K/616/7868 | CA17 | Lead communications in adult care settings | 4 | 4 |
M/616/7869 | CA18 | Develop, maintain and use records and reports | 4 | 3 |
H/616/7870 | CA19 | Persoanl development in adult care settings | 4 | 4 |
K/616/7871 | CA20 | Lead inclusive practice in adult care settings | 4 | 3 |
M/616/78172 | CA21 | Lead health and safety in adult care settings | 4 | 3 |
T/616/7873 | CA22 | Facilitate person-centred assessment to support well-being | 4 | 2 |
A/616/7874 | CA23 | Facilitate support planning to ensure positive outcomes for individualsand to support well-being | 4 | 3 |
F/616/7875 | CA24 | Professional practice in adult care settings | 4 | 3 |
J/616/7876 | CA25 | Working in partnership with others | 4 | 4 |
L/616/7877 | CA26 | Understand personalisation in care and support services | 5 | 4 |
R/616/7878 | CA27 | Understand safeguarding and protection in adult care settings | 3 | 2 |
Y/616/7879 | CA28 | Safeguard children and young people who are present in the adult care sector | 4 | 2 |
Group O – optional units
RQF unit no. | Skillsfirst unit no. | Unit title | Level | Credit value |
M/601/0648 | ASM1 | Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to specialists | 3 | 4 |
D/501/0585 | ASM4 | Identify and act upon immediate risk of danger to substance misusers | 3 | 4 |
T/602/4521 | CH67 | Manage the availability of physical resources to meet service delivery needs in a health setting | 3 | 5 |
D/503/1839 | DB01 | Diabetes awareness | 3 | 6 |
M/601/9494 | HSC3007 | Support the development of community partnerships | 4 | 5 |
Y/6014693 | DEM312 | Understand and enable interaction and communication with individuals who have dementia | 3 | 4 |
H/601/7905 | HSC3024 | Support individuals to access and manage direct payments | 4 | 6 |
K/601/7906 | HSC3027 | Support individuals to access housing and accommodation services | 3 | 4 |
K/601/9493 | HSC3046 | Introduction to personalisation in social care | 3 | 3 |
T/601/9495 | HSC3048 | Support individuals at the end of life | 3 | 7 |
A/601/9174 | HSC3055 | Identify the physical health needs of individuals with mental health needs and plan appropriate actions | 4 | 5 |
T/601/9738 | HSC3065 | Implement the positive behaviouralsupport model | 4 | 8 |
D/504/2212 | HSC3070 | Lead and manage practice in dementia care | 5 | 6 |
R/615/4483 | HSC3075P | Understand Parkinson’s for health and social care staff | 3 | 2 |
T/504/2216 | HSC3077 | Assess the needs of carers and families | 3 | 4 |
T/506/6368 | HSC4002 | Provide information advice and guidance | 4 | 4 |
T/506/6354 | HSC4003 | Develop and implement reablement plans | 4 | 4 |
J/506/6052 | HSC4004 | Mentoring in social care | 4 | 2 |
R/506/8161 | HSC4008 | Provide assistive technology in social care | 4 | 4 |
T/601/5317 | LD310 | Understand how to support individuals with autistic spectrum conditions | 3 | 3 |
T/602/3188 | LHS21 | Understand partnership learning | 4 | 1 |
J/601/5645 | LHS32 | Promote access to healthcare for individuals with learning disabilities | 5 | 6 |
T/601/5253 | LHS38 | Support individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities | 5 | 5 |
F/502/3295 | LHS39 | Independent mental capacity advocacy | 4 | 12 |
R/602/2856 | LHS46 | Safeguarding and protection of vunerable adults | 5 | 5 |
L/506/1953 | ML26 | Provide leadership and management | 4 | 5 |
M/506/1962 | ML28 | Encourage learning and development | 4 | 3 |
T/506/1994 | ML37 | Conduct quality audits | 4 | 3 |
H/506/2056 | ML50 | Manage strategic change | 5 | 7 |
Y/506/2068 | ML53 | Manage product and/or service development | 5 | 5 |
Y/601/6167 | PDOP33 | Understand the impact of acquired brain injury on individuals | 3 | 3 |
H/615/4486 | SCM301 | Undersatnd stroke care management | 3 | 4 |
M/601/3467 | SSMU31 | Understand sensory loss | 3 | 3 |
H/601/3546 | SSOP37 | Support individuals to access education training or employment | 4 | 4 |
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