Leader in Adult Care
Level 5 Apprenticeship Standard
Course Overview
This apprenticeship develops confident leaders who manage adult care services and lead teams to deliver safe, effective and person centred care.
You will build the leadership and management skills needed to guide and inspire care teams, create a strong values based culture and ensure high quality outcomes for adults with care and support needs. The programme focuses on regulatory compliance, safeguarding, risk management, service quality and continuous improvement.
By the end of the apprenticeship, you will be leading adult care services that are safe, responsive, well led and centred on dignity, choice and wellbeing.
Who Is This For?
This apprenticeship is suitable for:
Existing or aspiring managers in adult care services
Registered, deputy, assistant, unit or service managers
Leaders in residential, domiciliary or community based care
Personal Assistants working in a management role
Professionals responsible for service quality, compliance and staff leadership
Learners able to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check
Role Overview
As a Leader in Adult Care, you will:
Lead and manage adult care services or units
Inspire and support teams to deliver high quality, person centred care
Develop and embed a values based culture
Ensure services are safe, effective, caring and well led
Manage risk, safeguarding and regulatory compliance
Oversee resources, finance and service sustainability
Lead organisational change and service improvement
You may work in residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care, community services, day centres, clinical settings or an individual’s own home.
Behaviours you will develop
You will demonstrate professional leadership behaviours including:
Care: Making a positive difference to people’s lives
Compassion: Leading with kindness, dignity and empathy
Courage: Speaking up and acting when people are at risk
Communication: Building strong caring relationships and effective teams
Competence: Applying knowledge and skills to deliver quality care
Commitment: Improving experiences through person centred practice
Entry and Qualification Requirements
Disclosure and Barring Service check required
Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths must achieve this before completion
Entry Level 3 English and Maths accepted for learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan
British Sign Language qualifications may be accepted where this is the learner’s primary language
Related qualification:
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
Core Knowledge and Skills
The programme is built around the responsibilities and expectations of effective adult care leaders.
You will develop knowledge of:
- Statutory frameworks, standards and Codes of Practice
- Regulatory compliance, health and safety and risk management
- Outcome based practice and service quality monitoring
You will develop skills to:
- Implement systems to ensure compliance and quality
- Monitor care delivery, assessments and care plans
- Lead person centred practice and co production
- Manage resources efficiently and effectively
You will develop knowledge of:
- Diversity, equality, inclusion and human rights legislation
- Ethical practice and dignity in care
You will develop skills to:
- Create and sustain a culture that values dignity and inclusion
- Challenge discriminatory practice and promote fairness
- Lead teams with respect for individual beliefs and values
You will develop knowledge of:
Legal and ethical frameworks for confidentiality and data sharing
Communication tools and strategies, including digital systems
You will develop skills to:
- Ensure clear, accurate and secure record keeping
- Translate policy and guidance for different audiences
- Communicate effectively with individuals, families, carers and staff
You will develop knowledge of:
- Adult and child safeguarding legislation and reporting requirements
- Organisational cultures that support whistleblowing
You will develop skills to:
- Train and support staff to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns
- Implement and review safeguarding systems and procedures
- Monitor and improve safeguarding practice
You will develop knowledge of:
Models for monitoring health and wellbeing
Health and safety legislation and risk management
You will develop skills to:
- Lead health, safety and risk management practices
- Create a culture that values wellbeing
- Monitor, evaluate and improve safety systems
You will develop knowledge of:
Professional development principles and reflective practice
Evidence based practice and current drivers in adult care
You will develop skills to:
- Apply research and evidence to improve practice
- Support supervision, learning and development
- Build a culture of continuous improvement
You will develop knowledge of:
Leadership and management theories
Team dynamics and effective performance
You will develop skills to:
Model a values based leadership style
Support innovation and initiative
Lead teams effectively and recognise individual contributions
Qualification Details
- Standard: Leader in Adult Care
- Reference: ST0008
- Level: 5
- Route: Care Services
- Typical Duration: 18 months
- Maximum Funding: £7,000
- Status: Approved for delivery
- Version: 1.1
- EQA Provider: Ofqual
