Qualification summary

The Level 3 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.

Learners for this qualification will work in adult social care and have responsibility for providing person-centred, values-driven care and support for those accessing the service. They will work under the direction of their manager or supervisor, but will have a degree of autonomy. Learners would be expected to have met the standards of the Care Certificate as part of their induction programme. As well as demonstrating best practice, they will be working towards promoting and modelling it. Learners may or may not have supervisory responsibility for others.

This qualification recognises the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to demonstrate effective communication, values and behaviours, health and safety, personal development and the responsibilities of self and others, including safeguarding. It could also be used as CPD for experienced and specialist supervisory staff in adult care seeking a qualification to recognise their competence.

If you feel your role is not in a supervisory capacity you could choose the VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Diploma in Care  (RQF)

It is anticipated that learners will progress to Level 4 or even 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 Adult Care Worker 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 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) Handbook

Qualification structure

Learners need to complete a minimum of 58 credits to achieve this qualification.

All units must be achieved from Group M and a minimum of 19 credits from Group O.

Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are 391

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 580

Qualification number	Qualification reference
ACD3	610/0209/4

Group M – mandatory units

RQF unit no.	Skillsfirst unit no.	Unit title	Level	Credit value
M/650/0705	ACS1	Ways of working in care settings	3	3
R/650/0706	ACS2	Safeguarding in care settings	3	4
T/650/0707	ACS3	Mental capacity and restrictive practice in care settings	3	2
Y/650/0708	ACS4	Duty of care in care settings	3	2
A/650/0709	ACS5	Promote effective communication in care settings	3	4
H/650/0710	ACS6	Handling information in care settings	3	2
J/650/0711	ACS7	Promote person-centred practice in care settings	3	3
K/650/0712	ACS8	Promote choice and independence in care settings	3	2
L/650/0713	ACS9	Promote health and well-being in care settings	3	3
M/650/0714	ACS10	Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights in care settings	3	3
R/650/0715	ACS11	Promote health, safety and security in care settings	3	4
T/650/0716	ACS12	Promote infection prevention and control in care settings	3	2
Y/650/0717	ACS13	Promote continuing personal development in care setting	3	3
A/650/0718	ACS14	Promote personal well-being in care settings	3	2

Group O – optional units

RQF unit no.	Skillsfirst unit no.	Unit title	Level	Credit value
M/502/3146	ADV301	Purpose and principles of independent advocacy	3	4
M/601/0648	ASM1	Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to specialists	3	4
R/601/3526	ASM24	Develop and sustain effective working relationships with staff in other agencies	3	4
Y/501/0598	ASM34	Administer medication to individuals and monitor the effects	3	5
K/617/1788	ACCA32	Regulatory processes for adult care	5	3
R/602/2677	CH31	Undertake stoma care	3	4
J/602/3101	CH33	Undertake treatments and dressings of lesions and wounds	3	4
J/602/4006	CH47	Administer oral nutritional products to individuals	3	5
R/602/4011	CH60	Support carers to meet the care needs of individuals	3	5
J/602/0103	CMH302	Understand mental health problems	3	3
L/505/1147	DA4	Understand the treatment and management of diabetes	2	5
F/615/4480	DEM301R	Understand the process and experience of dementia	3	3
T/601/9187	DEM302	Understand and meet the nutritional requirements of individuals with dementia	3	3
A/601/9191	DEM304	Enable rights and choices of individuals with dementia whilst minimising risks	3	4
Y/6014693	DEM312	Understand and enable interaction and communication with individuals who have dementia	3	4
F/601/4686	DEM313	Equality, diversity, and inclusion in dementia care practice	3	4
A/503/8085	ELC1	Understand how to work in end-of-life care	2	3
H/505/1980	ELC2	Understand the role of the care worker in time of death	2	3
D/601/9023	HSC2001	Provide support for therapy sessions	2	2
K/601/9025	HSC2003	Provide support to manage pain and discomfort	2	2
R/601/8663	HSC2017	Provide agreed support for foot care	2	3
L/601/8028	HSC3003	Provide support to maintain and develop skills for everyday life	3	4
F/601/7927	HSC3013	Support individuals to access and use services and facilities	3	4
H/601/8049	HSC3020	Facilitate person-centered assessment planning implementation and review	3	6
F/601/3764	HSC3045	Promote positive behaviour	3	6
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
R/601/8662	HSC3052	Undertake physiological measurements	3	3
D/601/8860	HSC3053	Obtain venous blood samples	3	3
F/601/9029	HSC3057	Work with families, carers, and individuals during times of crisis	4	5
L/601/9549	HSC3066	Support positive risk-taking for individuals	3	4
R/615/4483	HSC3075P	Understand Parkinson’s for health and social care staff	3	2
J/601/8657	LD308	Support individuals with a learning disability to access healthcare	3	3
T/601/5317	LD310	Understand how to support individuals with autistic spectrum conditions	3	3
D/600/9799	LDSSMP3	Professional practice in learning development and support services	3	5
M/617/9584	ACLGBT9	Support LGBT people with learning disabilities	2	3
A/617/9586	ACLGBT11	Support an LGBT person at end of life	2	2
K/600/9790	MF4	Develop and implement marketing plans	4	6
R/506/2907	ML43	Recruitment, selection, and induction practice	4	6
D/618/8474	PBD1	Use devices and handle information	2	2
D/618/8475	PBD2	Be safe and responsible online	2	2
D/618/8476	PBD3	Principles of social media within a business	2	3
Y/601/6167	PDOP33	Understand the impact of acquired brain injury on individuals	3	3
H/615/4486	SCM301	Understand stroke care management	3	4
H/601451	SSOP24	Contribute to supporting individuals in the use of assistive technology	2	3
K/601/3483	SSOP32	Promote effective communication with individuals with sensory loss	3	4
A/601/5190	SSOP33	Support individuals with multiple conditions and/or disabilities	3	4
H/601/3546	SSOP37	Support individuals to access education, training or employment	4	4
M/650/3848	ACTM1	Leading people	3	6
R/650/3849	ACTM2	Managing people	3	6
D/650/3851	ACTM3	Building relationships	3	4
F/650/3852	ACTM5	Operational management	3	8

To find out more about our registration/certification fees, contact our customer services team on
0121 270 5100 or email us