CMI Level 7 Strategic Management & Leadership | Accredited
Master high-level Strategic Leadership skills and drive organisational success.
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Overview - CMI Level 7
For senior care professionals ready to shape the direction of services and influence organisational strategy, the CMI Level 7 Leadership & Management Qualification develops the advanced skills required to lead complex care operations with confidence and impact.
This qualification is tailored for those already overseeing teams or services, seeking to strengthen strategic decision-making, drive service improvement, and ensure compliance with industry and CQC standards.
The Learning is delivered 100% online, guided by tutors with hands-on experience in strategic care leadership. Their expert support, constructive feedback, and free virtual workshops help you translate theory into effective leadership practice.
Completing this course awards a respected, accredited, and internationally recognised qualification, preparing you for senior roles such as Care Director, Head of Services, Registered Manager, or Strategic Lead, and empowering you to influence care quality and organisational outcomes at the highest level.
At Access Skills, we provide the structure, guidance, and flexibility to build strong strategic leadership foundations, enhance your influence today.
Course Options: Award | Certificate
Who is this qualification for?
Built for experienced care professionals aiming to lead services, drive strategic outcomes, and progress into senior leadership roles.
Registered, Regional or Area Care Managers
Ideal for leaders who are responsible for service delivery, care outcomes, and regulatory compliance across one or multiple settings.
Senior Managers & Directors
Designed for those shaping strategic direction, organisational performance, and long-term service improvement.
Care Professionals Preparing for Executive Roles
Perfect for individuals transitioning into board-level, cross-service, or senior operational leadership positions.
Experienced Managers Advancing in Care Leadership
For established managers ready to broaden their influence, strengthen strategic capability, and lead at a higher level.
Modules
The CMI Level 7 qualification focuses on developing strategic leadership skills through practical units that link what you learn to real challenges faced in the care sector.
CMI Level 7 Award
- Strategic Leadership Practices
- Leading Organisational Change
CMI Level 7 Certificate
- Governance & Risk Management
- Strategic Planning & Decision-Making
- Driving Innovation & Change
- Developing Organisational Strategy
By the end of the CMI level 7 course, you will know how to plan and deliver effective care strategies, lead service-wide improvements, and make sure your organisation provides high-quality care that meets both CQC and performance standards.
Entry Requirements
- Learners must be 19 years or over.
- Significant experience in senior management or leadership within health and social care.
- Ideally suited for registered managers, area or regional managers, and directors.
If you’ve completed the NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Adult Care and CMI Level 5 Qualification, the CMI level 7 qualification is the next ideal step to build your strategic knowledge for executive level leadership.
Assessment
Your CMI level 7 learning is assessed through advanced written assignments, strategic projects, and applied case studies focused on strategic leadership in health and social care.
There are no formal exams.
- Award
- High-level written assignments based on strategic care leadership
- Certificate
- Case studies and strategic projects demonstrating how you plan, lead, and evaluate large-scale improvement initiatives within your service or organisation
By completing these assessments, you will build a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to lead at a senior level, handle complex challenges, and drive high standards of care across different services.
Career Progression
The CMI Level 7 qualification prepares you for senior and strategic leadership roles in health and social care.
You will gain the skills to plan and lead organisational strategy, manage quality and governance, and oversee performance across services.
After this qualification, you could progress into roles such as;
- Director
- Chief Executive
- Regional Manager
- Head of Service
- Governance Lead
- Senior Strategic Consultant
QUALIFICATION BENEFITS
Qualification Benefits For CMI Level 7
For Individuals
-
Strengthen your ability to lead strategically and influence change across services. -
Gain expertise in governance, financial accountability, and risk management. -
Build confidence in leading innovation, policy, and organisational strategy. -
Develop a leadership mindset balancing care quality, people, and performance. -
Enhance your credibility for board, director, or consultancy-level roles. -
Achieve eligibility for Chartered Manager Status, proving professional excellence.
For Organisations
-
Strengthen governance and strategic oversight across care operations. -
Equip senior leaders to plan and deliver long-term organisational goals. -
Ensure strategic decisions align with CQC standards and ethical practice. -
Improve workforce resilience through transparent, values-led leadership. -
Drive innovation and continuous improvement through evidence-based decisions. -
Build a strong senior leadership pipeline for long-term service excellence.
How You’ll Learn
100% Online Learning
Study anywhere, anytime at your own pace
Tutor-Led Support
Get expert guidance & feedback from experienced professionals
Practical Assignments
Apply your learning to real-world business scenarios
Globally Recognised Certification
Boost your career with a respected qualification
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Choose your CMI Level 7 route
Pay in full or spread the cost, interest-free — or use the form to ask about funding & offers.
Award
CMI Level 7The focused first step into strategic management and leadership.
- 3–6 months
- Start any Monday
- 7 credits · 70 TQT
- CMI-
accredited - Strategic
focus - 100% online
- Senior
leadership - CMI
membership
included - Assignment
feedback
or 3 × £230 interest-free
Price includes CMI registration,
assessment & certification.
Certificate
CMI Level 7A broader route for developing strategic leadership capability.
- 6–9 months
- Start any Monday
- 14 credits · 140 TQT
- CMI-
accredited - Strategy
pathway - 100% online
- Change
leadership - CMI
membership
included - 1:1 tutor
reviews
or 5 × £216 interest-free
Price includes CMI registration,
assessment & certification.
Diploma
CMI Level 7The comprehensive route for senior leaders, directors and executives.
- 9–14 months
- Start any Monday
- 37 credits · 370 TQT
- CMI-
accredited - Broad unit
set - 100% online
- Executive
progression - CMI
membership
included - Strategic
impact
or 5 × £336 interest-free
Price includes CMI registration,
assessment & certification.
Continue with your course
- Course
- Payment
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The CMI Level 7 is an advanced qualification for senior leaders. It develops high-level strategic thinking, governance, change management, and organisational leadership skills in health and social care.
It is aimed at experienced senior managers, registered managers, regional/area managers, directors, and those preparing for executive or strategic leadership roles.
You must be aged 19+ with significant senior management or leadership experience in health and social care. It is ideal for those who have already completed the Level 5 CMI Qualifications.
You can study the CMI Level 7 Award (focused on key strategic areas) or the CMI Level 7 Certificate (broader strategic coverage).
The qualification is designed to develop your strategic management and leadership practice enhance
your knowledge, skills and behaviours to drive business activities in a senior, regional, specialist, director or CEO management and leadership role.
Duration varies by option. The Award requires a minimum of 40 TUT hours, while the Certificate requires more substantial hours. Most learners complete it in 12–18 months on a self-paced basis.
There are no formal exams. Assessment is through advanced written assignments, strategic projects, case studies, and applied leadership tasks relevant to your organisation.
Yes, The CMI Level 7 CMI qualification is delivered 100% online with flexible study, expert tutor guidance from experienced strategic leaders, feedback, and virtual workshop drop-ins.
The Level 7 CMI qualification covers core strategic leadership areas including;
- Strategic leadership practices
- Governance and risk management
- Strategic planning & decision-making
- Leading organisational change and innovation
- Developing organisational strategy.
Completing the CMI Level 7 qualification equips you with advanced strategic skills, enhances credibility for director-level roles, supports Chartered Manager status, and enables you to drive service-wide improvements and CQC compliance.
After completing the CMI Level 7 qualification, you can progress to senior executive roles like Director, Head of Service, or CEO-level positions.