Overview
The Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service is a professionally recognised, Ofqual-regulated qualification designed to develop the advanced knowledge, leadership capabilities, and practical management competencies required to lead and oversee adult social care services effectively. The qualification is particularly suited to existing, newly appointed, and aspiring Registered Managers seeking to enhance their professional expertise, strengthen organisational performance, and deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
For professionals working within adult social care, this qualification provides a structured route for developing the leadership and management knowledge needed to oversee an adult care service effectively.
Positioned at Level 5 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), the qualification is academically comparable in level to a Higher National Diploma (HND) or the second year of a three-year UK bachelor's degree programme. This comparison relates to the academic level of study rather than an automatic equivalence in qualification credits or university admission.
The programme is particularly relevant to those looking to strengthen their knowledge of leadership, governance, workforce development and service improvement across adult and social care settings.
Upon successful completion, learners may pursue enhanced leadership and management responsibilities within adult social care, progress towards senior managerial positions, or explore further professional qualifications and higher education opportunities, subject to relevant entry requirements.
For learners considering progression within adult social care, the Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service can support development towards more senior management responsibilities.
Benefits of Doing the Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service
Studying Level 5 Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service online offers learners a flexible, accessible, and career-focused route to advancing their skills within the sector. Key benefits include:
The qualification is designed for people who want to develop practical leadership knowledge for managing an adult care service while continuing to build their professional experience.
- Flexible Learning
- Learners can study at their own pace and schedule, making it easier to balance education with work, family responsibilities, or other commitments.
- This flexibility can be particularly useful for professionals already working in adult social care who need to fit their studies around existing workplace responsibilities.
- Cost-Effective
- Online learning removes the need for travel, accommodation, and other campus-related expenses, making education more affordable.
- For those developing their career in adult care service management, online study can also reduce some of the additional costs associated with regular campus attendance.
- Access to Quality Resources
- Students gain access to interactive digital learning materials, recorded lectures, case studies, and dedicated tutor support through an online learning portal.
- These learning resources support the development of management knowledge relevant to leadership, safeguarding, governance and person-centred practice across adult social care services.
- Career Advancement Opportunities
- The qualification develops essential leadership and management skills, supporting progression into a university.
- The Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service can also support professional development for those seeking greater leadership responsibility within adult care settings.
Course Delivery
The qualification is delivered fully online through:
The delivery model supports learners who want to develop management knowledge for an adult care service while accessing learning materials and academic support remotely.
- Virtual Learning Platform: Access to study materials and resources 24/7.
- Tutor Support: Regular guidance via email, online forums,
- Independent Study: Learners study at their own pace with structured guidance.
- Obtain assignment: marking and feedback.
- Online Assessments: Assignments, projects, and portfolios submitted on LSM.
- Acquire: Assignment briefing, study lesson plan
- Receive excellent-quality study notes.
- Receive dedicated customer support via chat, telephone, and email (Monday to Friday)
For professionals working across adult and social care, this format provides a structured way to combine academic study with ongoing workplace practice.
Course Quick Summary (Ofqual Regulated UK Qualification)
- Study Mode: 100% Online, Self-paced
- Accreditation: QUALIFI Qualifications
- Duration: 5-9 Months.
- Assessment: Assignment-based (No Exams)
- Requirements: Open access / Career experience
- Tutor Support: Unlimited academic tutor guidance
Learning Outcomes
Understand internal governance arrangements within own organisation.
Understand systems and requirements for the regulation of adult care services.
Understand the inspection process in adult social care.
Learning Outcomes
Understand effective decision making
Demonstrate effective decision making in own role.
Learning Outcomes
Understand principles of effective human resource management.
Understand market provision in adult social care.
Understand integrated approaches in health and social care.
Learning Outcomes
Provide leadership for a team.
Manage teamwork.
Learning Outcomes
Understand principles of learning and professional development in adult care.
Lead learning and professional development practices.
Learning Outcomes
Understand the purpose and practice of professional supervision in adult care settings.
Provide regular professional supervision.
Learning Outcomes
Understand requirements for safeguarding in adult care.
Lead the implementation of practices, policies and procedures to support safeguarding in adult care.
Learning Outcomes
Understand mental capacity and consent.
Understand the use and impact of restrictive practices.
Learning Outcomes
Lead effective relationships with individuals, carers and families.
Manage working relationships with colleagues in own setting to achieve positive outcomes for individuals.
Work in partnerships with professionals and other agencies
Learning Outcomes
Lead practice in listening and responding to comments and complaints.
Understand the management of comments and complaints.
Learning Outcomes
Understand how to develop a vision for the service
Lead commitment and implementation of the vision and future direction of the service.
Learning Outcomes
Lead continuous improvement in practice.
Lead a culture that supports innovation and change to improve outcomes for individuals.
Understand how to implement effective.
Learning Outcomes
Know how to manage and resolve conflict.
Be able to communicate effectively with others.
Develop communication practices that promote positive outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
Understand effective information management.
Implement systems for effective information management.
Learning Outcomes
Understand the value of person-centred practice in partnership working to enable individuals to achieve their desired outcomes.
Lead practice to facilitate positive outcomes for individuals through person-centred practice.
Understand the role of relationships in promoting health and wellbeing.
Learning Outcomes
Lead a culture that promotes individuals’ wellbeing and independence in all aspects of day-to-day practice.
Understand the importance of promoting prevention and the individual’s health and wellbeing.
Lead practice in promoting prevention and protecting individual health and wellbeing.
Learning Outcomes
Understand equality, diversity, inclusion, and human rights.
Demonstrate inclusive leadership and lead a culture that promotes, values and celebrates equality, diversity, inclusion, and human rights.
Learning Outcomes
Lead the implementation of health and safety requirements in adult social care.
Understand effective risk management.
Lead the implementation of policies, procedures and practices to effectively manage risk.
Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate commitment to self-awareness
Demonstrate commitment to self-awareness
Manage own workload effectively.
Learning Outcomes
Understand the importance of maintaining and improving own wellbeing.
Know how to prevent, maintain and improve own wellbeing.
Know how to manage own stress and anxiety
Learning Outcomes
Be able to lead digital transformation and data governance in adult care services
Be able to use data and technology to drive quality improvement and person- centred outcomes
Be able to lead and develop digital capability within the workforce
Learning Outcomes
Be able to monitor the use of assistive technology and TEC to achieve outcomes
Be able to lead workforce capability and inclusive practice in the use of assistive technology and TEC
Be able to lead the implementation of assistive technology and TEC in adult care services
Learning Outcomes
Be able to evaluate systems and support for individuals, families and the workforce during end of life and bereavement
Be able to lead and monitor high quality end of life care in practice
Learning Outcomes
Be able to lead workforce development in neurodiversity- affirming practice
Be able to lead neurodiversity- affirming practice within the service
Understand policy, legislation and approaches to neurodiversityaffirming practice
Entry Requirements
- Applicants must be aged 19 or over.
- There are typically no formal academic entry requirements;
Qualifications
The Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service, awarded by QUALIFI under Qualification Number 610/7642/9, is an Ofqual-regulated qualification recognised within the UK's Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). As an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation, QUALIFI maintains established standards for qualification development, assessment, and quality assurance, ensuring that learners' achievements are assessed against defined national requirements.QUALIFI places particular emphasis on assessment integrity, consistency, transparency, and continuous quality improvement, ensuring that learners are evaluated against clearly defined learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Through its approved centre network, the awarding organisation oversees quality assurance processes that support the credibility and reliability of its qualifications.
Assessment Requirements
- Assessment is via assignment submission only.
- No Exams
- Practical observations in the workplace are required to complete this course. Remote observation may be used only to support direct workplace observation.
Average completion timeframe (Course Duration)
The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 5-9 Months.
Learners are granted a maximum of two years’ access to complete the course from the date of enrol
Certificate & Transcript Information
Upon successful completion of the qualification, the learner will receive an electronic certificate and transcript according to the awarding body’s certificate policy.
Hard Copy Delivery Charges:
Ordering a hard copy certificate and transcript is optional. If the learner requires a hard copy certificate and transcript, the applicable hard copy and delivery charges must be paid separately. For certificate-related support, please contact info@directskills.co.uk.
Progression – Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service
1. Higher Education
Successful learners may progress to:
- Specialist qualifications at Level 5 or Level 6.
- Higher education programmes, subject to individual institutional entry requirements.
2. Employment Opportunities
The qualification is designed for existing or aspiring adult care leaders and managers. It supports professional development and progression into senior adult care leadership roles and underpins registration for regulated services where applicable.
- Registered Manager or aspiring Registered Manager.
- Adult care service or team manager.
- Senior leadership roles in adult care services.
| Plan Name | Regular Fee | Discounted Fee | % Discount | Deposit | Instalments | Fast Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 Months Plan
|
£1,200 | £840.00 | 30% | £100 |
£148.00
5 months
|
— |
|
3 Months Plan
|
£1,200 | £809.99 | 32% | £270 |
£270.00
2 months
|
— |
|
Single Payment
|
£1,200 | £780.00 | 35% | — |
£780.00
1 months
|
|
|
9 Months Plan
RECOMMENDED
|
£1,200 | £870.00 | 27% | £80 |
£98.75
8 months
|
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