Adult care is designed to enable adults requiring support due to medical conditions or physical disabilities to live independently. It involves providing extra help with various aspects of daily life to ensure they can continue living on their own terms. 

What is Adult Social Care? 

Adult social care aims to help people remain independent, safe, and well so they can live the lives they want. This includes support for: 

• Frail individuals
• Those with disabilities or neurodiversity
• Individuals with mental health issues
• People dealing with substance abuse problems
• Caregivers for family or friends

What is the Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care? 

The Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care is a course offered by NCFE CACHE, a globally recognised awarding organisation for care qualifications. This course is designed to help you develop specialised knowledge and skills in adult care, promoting a value-based culture within your setting. It aligns with the Apprenticeship Standard for Lead Practitioner in Adult Care, opening numerous career opportunities and enhancing your employability. The course prepares you for senior roles in the sector, ensuring you can effectively lead and inspire your team. 

The next intake is on September 2^nd. 

Career Opportunities 

Upon completing the qualification, learners can progress into various job roles in residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care, day centres, individuals’ own homes, or clinical healthcare settings. Potential roles include: 

Role	Approximate Salary (GBP per year)
Support Assistant	18,000
Reablement Support Worker	22,000
Reablement Support Officer	22,000
Telecare Assistant	23,000
Community Care Officer	25,000
Support Officer	26,000
Social Care Assessor	26,000
Care Assessment Officer	34,000
Assistive Technology Coordinator	35,000
Assistive Technology Officer	43,000

Essential skills for a career in adult social care  

• Empathy – Ask yourself, “How would I feel if that was me?”
• Passion – A passionate attitude makes all the difference.
• Life Experience – Helps relate to clients from diverse backgrounds. 
• Communication – Crucial for client and colleague relations.
• Attentiveness – Ensures clients feel safe and improves their mental health.
• Sense of Humour – Helps to not take oneself too seriously.
• Intuitiveness – Improves by building strong connections and conducting risk assessments. 
• Patience – Essential when dealing with clients with dementia or mobility issues.

Benefits of acquiring a Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care 

• Gain a globally recognised qualification.
• An RQF qualification in adult care opens many healthcare opportunities.
• Demonstrates high-level knowledge and expertise in adult care practices.
• Boosts confidence, self-esteem, and provides a sense of fulfilment.
• Enhances skills for a long-standing career pathway.
• Demonstrates understanding, effective practice, and leadership in adult care. 

Hear from our students 

Industry trends and updates in adult care in the UK (2024) 

• Workforce Size – Approximately 1.52 million people
• Vacancies – Around 105,000 social care vacancies
• Staff Turnover Rate – 34.4%
• Average Age of Workers – 43.3 years, 27% are aged 55 and over
• Private Sector Employment – 78% of social care jobs
• Care Home Residents – Approximately 418,000 individuals
• Number of Care Homes – Around 21,723 (CQC data indicates 15,675)
• CQC Ratings – 6.4% rated “Outstanding”
• Home Care Agencies – 11,650 agencies
• NHS Workforce – Employs around 1.2 million full-time equivalent staff 
• Projected Job Growth – 3.2 million health jobs by the end of the decade
• Healthcare Spending – £283 billion in 2022
• NHS Budget on Workforce – £56.1 billion in 2019/20
• Vacancy Ratio – 3.0 per 100 employee jobs.
• Training and Development – £75 million package, including new qualifications and apprenticeships.
• Digital Training – New digital leadership qualification
• Workforce Development Funding – £50 million for a new qualification
• Apprenticeship Investment – Over £20 million for social work and nurse apprentices 
• Career Pathways – New care workforce pathway

What is NCFE CACHE? 

NCFE CACHE qualifications are a result of the merger between NCFE and Cache in 2015. NCFE is a leading provider of educational services and a not-for-profit organisation with over 170 years of experience in technical and vocational education. 

What is an NCFE equivalent to? 

NCFE qualifications range from Level 1 (entry level) to Level 7 (equivalent to a postgraduate degree). They are designed in collaboration with industry experts and regularly updated to provide the best vocational career pathways. 

Academic Progression 

After the Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care, learners can advance to Level 5 qualifications or pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing or health and social care. 

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Adult Care
• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care (FdSc) 
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing (Adult) 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Social Care, or Social Work

Why choose South London College for your Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care? 

• Affordable prices for courses
• Dedicated key account manager 
• Payment plan with no credit check 
• Expertly designed course materials
• Dedicated mentor support
• Flexible start times and locations
• 12 months of online access to learning portal
• Enhanced skills and employability 
• Friendly customer support
• Interactive and engaging learning environment