Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service Level 5

Overview

Our NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service is designed for current and aspiring leaders in adult social care. This qualification develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to confidently lead a service, support your workforce, and deliver high‑quality, person‑centred care.

Developed with Skills for Care, this diploma also meets the requirements of the Leader in Adult Care Apprenticeship Standard.

What You Will Learn

This qualification covers a comprehensive range of leadership and management topics essential for modern adult care services, including:

• Leadership and management
• Governance and regulatory processes
• Quality assurance
• Safeguarding, protection and risk
• Communication and partnership working
• Person‑centred practice
• Professional development and supervision
• Decision‑making
• Entrepreneurial skills and innovation
• Managing specific care services

Who Is This Qualification For?

This programme is ideal for:

• Managers, deputy managers or assistant managers in adult care
• Senior staff progressing into leadership roles
• Individuals who have not yet achieved a Level 5 vocational qualification
• Those completing the Leader in Adult Care Apprenticeship Standard

Learners must be working in a managerial role or have the opportunity to carry out managerial responsibilities.

Qualification Structure

To achieve the full diploma, learners must complete:

• 20 mandatory units (80 credits)
• Optional units totalling at least 15 credits
• Minimum total: 95 credits

This structure aligns with the regulated GLH (805) and TQT (950).

Assessment

All units are internally assessed and externally quality assured. Evidence may include:

• Direct observation in the workplace
• Witness testimonies
• Professional discussions
• Reflective accounts
• Written assignments
• Work products (plans, logs, records)
• Learner diaries
• Case studies or scenarios
• Oral questioning
• Portfolio of evidence

Each unit is graded Achieved or Not Yet Achieved.

Duration

Most learners complete this qualification within 18–24 months, depending on workplace opportunities and assessment progress.

Progression

Learners can progress to:

• Degrees in health and social care, leadership, or related fields
• Senior leadership roles within adult care services

Career Opportunities

This qualification supports progression into roles such as:

• Manager
• Deputy Manager
• Assistant Manager
• Care Broker
• Case Manager
• Service Lead
• Registered Manager