Step up to senior leadership in adult social care
Advance your career with the Leader in Adult Care Work Level 5 Apprenticeship — a nationally recognised qualification designed for experienced care professionals ready to take on senior leadership responsibilities within adult social care. This programme builds strategic leadership skills, enabling you to guide teams, manage services, and shape high‑quality, person‑centred care.
Delivered through flexible workplace‑based training across Devon and Cornwall, you’ll gain the confidence to make a lasting impact on the quality of care and service delivery.
✅ The Details
Qualification: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
Duration: 18 months plus 3 months End Point Assessment (EPA)
Delivery: One‑to‑one workplace sessions
Workplace support: Dedicated assessor/trainer with regular progress reviews
Assessment: Observation of practice and professional discussion during EPA
Functional Skills: English and maths support provided if required
Tracking: Progressed via OneFile electronic portfolio system
This apprenticeship works alongside your current role to support ongoing professional development.
✅ Who is it for?
• Experienced adult care professionals ready for senior leadership
• Staff working in residential, domiciliary, community or clinical care settings
• Those aspiring to registered manager, deputy, unit or service manager roles
• Employers seeking to develop strategic care leadership within their organisation
✅ What you’ll learn
This programme deepens your leadership knowledge and skills across key areas, including:
• Leadership and management theories, models and practice
• Statutory frameworks, codes of practice and organisational procedures
• Risk management and outcome‑based approaches
• Ethical and effective communication with colleagues and stakeholders
• Promoting dignity, equality, diversity and person‑centred care
• Health, wellbeing and regulatory compliance in adult care services
By combining practical experience with structured learning, you’ll develop the capability to lead teams and shape care provision with confidence.
✅ Entry Requirements
• Relevant experience in adult social care
• Functional Skills support available for English and maths if not already achieved
✅ Common job roles include:
• Registered Manager
• Service Manager
• Deputy Manager
• Unit Manager
• Assistant Manager
Leadership roles in adult care involve managing service performance, ensuring safety and quality, and fostering a positive team culture.
✅ Progression Opportunities
Once completed, this apprenticeship can propel you toward:
• Senior management roles within adult care services
• Strategic leadership positions across health and social care organisations
• Continued professional development and specialist leadership pathways
These opportunities build on your expertise and support long‑term career growth in care leadership.
✅ Costs
- This is a government‑funded initiative: apprentices are not required to pay for their training. Employers with a wage bill of under £3 million may need to make a 5 % contribution towards training costs.
- The cost of this Apprenticeship is set at £7,000, with an employer contribution rate of £350 + VAT.
- Employers recruiting an Apprentice aged 16–21 years old, will be exempt from paying the employer contribution.
- If the Apprentice is aged 16–18 years old, employers will receive a £1,000 government incentive to be used towards training and salary costs.
Visit this page to find out more about employer costs and responsibilities.
✅ Ready to Apply?
Click here to visit the contact page and get in touch with a Focus Training centre near you.