- Access Skills
- Apprenticeships
- Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship Standard
Level 5 Leader in Adult Care Apprenticeship
About the Level 5 Leader in Adult Care Apprenticeship

What's Provided During The Course?
We provide you with lots of specialist resources to help you progress through the programme:
Course task activities based on specific workplace requirements of your job
Workplace observation assessment – This allows you to demonstrate your competency in performing workplace tasks and responsibilities
Relevant resources including learner access to Quality Compliance Systems at a discounted rate which provides extensive operational policies, procedures, and tool kits to help you provide evidence of your understanding and knowledge and complete the workplace task activities
One-to-one tutorial support provided remotely to you
Webinars and Workshops (both live and recorded) providing relevant tutorial support
Access to tutors and assessors remotely Monday to Friday during office hours
Access to our learning portal to view all your activities, access resources and monitor your progression
Access to resources and support via our social media channels
Quick FAQs
The Leader in Adult Care will guide and inspire teams to make positive differences in someone’s life when faced with physical, practical, social, emotional, psychological or intellectual challenges. They will be a leader of the care team and will develop and implement a value-based culture at a service or unit level. They may be responsible for business development, financial control, organisational resilience and continuity, as well as managing risk and leading an organisational change.
The course length is 18 months plus 3 months for the End Point Assessment.
We provide you with lots of specialist resources to help you progress through the programme. Such as course task activities based on specific workplace requirements of your job, relevant resources to help you provide evidence of your understanding and knowledge to complete the workplace task activities (including free Learner access to Quality Compliance Systems Ltd, which provides extensive operational policies, procedures and tool kits), one-to-one tutorial support provided remotely to you, webinars and workshops (both live and recorded) providing relevant tutorial support, workplace observation assessment, which allows you to demonstrate your competency in performing workplace tasks and responsibilities, flexible remote access to tutors/assessors Monday to Friday during office hours, learning portal to view all of your activities, access resources and monitor your progression and access to resources and support via our social media channels.
The Higher Apprenticeship is for supervisors and managers within Health and Social Care. The programme includes the award of the stipulated Level 5 Care Leadership and Management diploma qualification.
Adult care leaders may work in domiciliary or residential care facilities, community day care centres, private homes, or some clinical healthcare settings. The role of Leader in Adult Care in this standard also covers Personal Assistants who operate in a management role but they may only work directly for one individual who needs support and/or care services.
Typical job titles include registered, assistant, deputy, unit or service manager.
The following behavioural traits and actions are expected of all Adult Care Leaders in the performance of their duties:
Care is the ability to constantly care for people in a way that improves their lives.
Compassion is the ability to provide care and assistance in a way that is polite, considerate, respectful, and deserving of dignity.
Being courageous means standing up for someone you support when they’re in danger and doing the right thing for them.
Excellent teamwork and the development of caring connections depend heavily on excellent communication.
Competence is the ability to use knowledge and abilities to deliver superior assistance and care.
Commitment to enhancing the person-centred experience for those in need of care and support
You should occupy a management role, which has the necessary tasks and responsibilities assigned to it, which are to be developed as part of the programme.
Entry Requirements:
- UK resident for 3 years or more
- Currently reside in England
- Proof of Residency
- Have a contract of employment and on payroll
- Not already enrolled on another apprenticeship programme
- Employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week
- Appropriate ID e.g., Passport or Birth Certificate
The Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship Standard is a government-funded programme. The agreed funding band for this programme currently requires employers to contribute 5% of the agreed cost (approximately £350 plus VAT) as the fee for the programme. Large employers (payroll in excess of £3m) meet the full cost of the programme from their Levy account.
Upon completion of the Leader in Adult Care Level 5 Apprenticeship, participants will have acquired knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Understand and execute the tasks and responsibilities associated with leadership in adult care.
Statutory Frameworks and Compliance:
- Familiarity with statutory frameworks, standards, guidance, and Codes of Practice governing the safe delivery of services.
- Ability to implement systems and processes ensuring compliance with regulations, organizational policies, health and safety, and risk management.
Risk Management:
- Grasp the principles of risk management, assessment, and outcome-based practice.
Change Management:
- Knowledge of theories and underpinning models of change management.
- Proficiency in employing approaches, tools, and techniques supporting the change process.
Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks:
- Understanding legislative and regulatory frameworks influencing quality standards.
Performance and Appraisal:
- Familiarity with theories and models underpinning performance and appraisal, including disciplinary procedures.
Dignity, Human Rights, and Diversity:
- Knowledge of legislation and policy initiatives promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion in the services they lead.
Communication:
- Awareness of legal and ethical frameworks related to confidentiality and information sharing.
- Proficiency in utilizing a range of tools and strategies, including technology, to enhance communication.
Safeguarding:
- Understanding legislation, national and local solutions for safeguarding adults and children, including reporting requirements.
- Knowledge of creating a supportive culture for whistleblowing within the organization.
Health and Wellbeing:
- Familiarity with models for monitoring, reporting, and responding to changes in health and wellbeing.
Professional Development:
- Grasp the principles of professional development.
- Set goals and aspirations for personal professional development and access available opportunities.
- Knowledge of creating a culture valuing learning, professional development, reflective practice, and evidence-based practice.
- Proficiency in systems and processes to identify, plan, source, evaluate, and record professional development opportunities for workers.
Leadership:
- Understanding theories of management and leadership and their application to adult care.
- Recognition of features contributing to effective team performance.
Course Highlights
Enquire Now:
Get in Touch to Enrol
Course Length:
18 Months plus 3 months for the End Point Assessment
Funding
Government Funded 95%, Employer 5%
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Please fill in the form below and a member of our team will be in contact with you to discuss your enquiry
Learners
Above National Average
Employers Recommend
Registered Managers Enrolled
I recently completed my Level 5 Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management in Adult Care with Access Skills Ltd, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the experience. From the very beginning, their support was exceptional.
What stood out to me was the initial assessment — I originally planned to enroll for the Level 3 program, but after a thorough review of my background and qualifications, Access Skills recommended I go straight to Level 5. This recognition of my potential gave me a great sense of confidence and motivation.
Though I wasn’t thrilled about having to take the English and Mathematics proficiency tests, the encouragement and support I received made all the difference. Deborah Wyber was fantastic in helping me prepare for the Mathematics test, and thanks to her guidance, I passed on my first attempt. Sarb Relihan supported me with English lessons, and beyond that, she shared invaluable advice on work-life balance — guidance that helped me push through a challenging period in my life.
A special mention goes to Karen Everitt, whose support was truly exceptional. She closely monitored my progress, consistently checked in with me, and helped me develop strategies to balance work, family, and studies. At one point, when I was struggling to keep up, Karen arranged back-to-back catch-up sessions and set realistic deadlines, keeping me focused and on track. Without her timely intervention, I doubt I would have completed the program as efficiently as I did.
Katherine Oglesby played a pivotal role in my journey. From the very start, she recognized my potential and went above and beyond to ensure I had the resources and support I needed. Every session with Katherine was eye-opening — she always had useful links, documents, and advice to share, helping me prepare thoroughly for each stage of the program. Her guidance leading up to my End-Point Assessment was invaluable, and I’m proud to say I passed on my first attempt.
Overall, Access Skills Ltd provided me with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to achieve my qualification — a significant step toward my goal of advancing in the care sector. Their team is professional, responsive, and genuinely invested in their learners’ success. The program, though initially daunting as I was new to care, became more manageable with the support sessions, webinars, tripartite meetings, workshops, and learner support systems.
I highly recommend Access Skills Ltd to anyone looking to grow their career in health and social care. Thank you to the entire team for being such a crucial part of my professional journey!
If the support moving forward is anything like the enrolment process then I will be very happy.
Special Thanks:
A huge thank you to my tutor, Faye Welch, for her amazing support and guidance throughout the course. Her feedback was always detailed and encouraging, she really helped me build my confidence. I truly appreciate her dedication and patience!
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely, I would recommend this course to anyone looking to build a career in health and Social care, especially those who need flexible learning.
Diploma Qualifications
Level 2 Diploma in Care (RQF/NVQ)
Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (England)
For Carers, Care Assistants and Support Workers
9-12 months
Payment plans available
Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF/NVQ)
Team Leaders or Senior Carers in a supervisory position.
Payment plans available, Government Funded Loans and Supported by LDSS Funding
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England)
For Registered Care Managers and Deputy Care Managers.