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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