Adult Care (England) qualifications and training courses

Last Updated: 05 Jun 2026

COMING SOON!

Level 1 Introduction to the Health and Adult Social Care Sector (3096-11/12/13)

Open for registration from 1 July 2026.

Designed for learners aged 16–18 and adult learners seeking an introduction to Health and Adult Social Care.

Available as an Award, Certificate and Diploma, these qualifications provide an entry point into the sector and support progression into further learning and employment.

Qualifications available

3096-11 Level 1 Award in the Introduction to the Health and Adult Social Care Sector
3096-12 Level 1 Certificate in the Introduction to the Health and Adult Social Care Sector
3096-13 Level 1 Diploma in the Introduction to the Health and Adult Social Care Sector

Available in England.

Important Qualification Updates. City and Guilds are introducing Level 1 qualifications to the 3096 suite.
City and Guilds Level 1 Introduction to the Health and social care sector.
Open for registration 1 July 2026

3096-11 Level 1 Award in the Introduction to the Health and Adult Social Care Sector - 610/7398/2
3096-12 Level 1 Certificate in the Introduction to the Health and Adult Social Care Sector - 610/7399/4
3096-13 Level 1 Diploma in the Introduction to the Health and Adult Social Care Sector – 610/7400/7

Level 1: 3096-11/12/13.
These qualifications are intended for 16 -18 and adult learners who want an early introduction to the adult health and social care sector.

Adult Care (England) Qualifications – 3096 Suite

Updated from May 2026, the 3096-qualification suite supports career

progression across Adult Social Care, aligned to Skills for Care standards and

combining both practical (competence-based) and knowledge-based learning.

Key updates:

Previous Level 3 (3096-31) and Level 5 (3096-51) closed March 2026

Replaced by 3096-32 (Level 3) and 3096-52 (Level 5)

Level 2 (309602) Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate remains unchanged

Level 2 (3096-22) Lead Adult Care Worker mandatory qualification open for

registrations 27.05.26

Qualification pathway:

Level 2 – Adult Social Care Certificate (3096-02):

Entry-level qualification for roles such as Support Worker, Healthcare Assistant,

and Adult Care Worker, developing core skills to deliver safe, effective care.

Level 3 – Diploma in Adult Care (3096-32):

Prepares learners for lead roles including Senior Support Worker and

Residential Care Worker.

Includes updated content with optional units in neurodiversity and trauma -

informed practice.

Level 5 – Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service (3096-52):

Designed for management roles such as Registered Manager or Deputy

Manager, focusing on service leadership, team management, and high-quality

care delivery.

Apprenticeship pathway:

Level 2 Lead Adult Care Worker (3096-22)

The 3096-02 Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate is a competence based qualification which has been designed to meet the Skills for Care qualification criteria. City & Guilds conducted additional consultation with employers and assessment centres during the development of the qualification.

The qualification covers the knowledge and skills required to work in adult care worker roles, such as, Adult Care Worker, Healthcare Assistant, Support Worker and Personal Assistant in a range of settings, supporting individuals with different needs. The qualification contains units which are competence based and knowledge base.

The 3096-32 Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care is a competence based qualification which has been designed to meet the Skills for Care qualification criteria. City & Guilds conducted additional consultation with employers and assessment centres during the development of the qualification.

The qualification covers the knowledge and skills required to work in lead adult care worker roles, such as, support worker, home care workers and residential care worker in a range of settings, supporting individuals with different needs. The qualification contains units which are competence based and knowledge base.

The 3096-52 Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Management an Adult Care Service is a competence-based qualification which has been designed to meet the Skills for Care qualification criteria. City & Guilds conducted additional consultation with employers and assessment centres during the development of the qualification.

The qualification covers the knowledge and skills required to work as a leader and manager of an adult care service, such as domiciliary/home care or residential care for adults with a range of care and support needs. The main purpose of the role supported by this qualification is to lead and manage a service, including having responsibilities for staff or staff teams who deliver the service. The qualification contains units which are competence based and knowledge base.

Available to deliver in the following:

England

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form.

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

The aim of the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care is to provide learners, who have experience, in working within adult care settings/services, with opportunities to develop skills and knowledge which support their role as they take on more responsibility and a level of autonomy within their employment settings.

The aim of the Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service is to provide learners, who have experience, in working within adult care settings/services, with opportunities to develop skills and knowledge which support their role as they take on leadership and management responsibilities regarding both staff and the service itself. Learners will need to have a high level of autonomy within their employment settings.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

What careers can these qualifications lead to?

Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

Adult Care Worker
Healthcare Assistant
Support Worker
Personal Assistant

Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care

Senior Support Worker
Residential Care Worker
Lead Adult Care Worker

Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service

Registered Manager
Deputy Manager
Service Manager

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver the 3096-32 qualification you will need staff who are occupationally competent in Adult Care who are current and have maintained relevant continuing professional development. Learners MUST have access to work settings and are usually employed or working as an apprentice.

To deliver the 3096-52 qualifications you will need staff who are occupationally competent as leaders or managers of Adult Care services. Staff must be who are current and have maintained relevant continuing professional development. Learners MUST have access to work settings and are usually employed or working as an apprentice.

Level 2

Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate (3096-02)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2029

Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

Accreditation No: 610/4226/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 27/05/2032 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £87.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs. VAT may apply depending on your funding status and VAT registration.

Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate (3096-22)

Last Registration Date: 27 May 2029

Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

Accreditation No: 610/4226/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 27/05/2032 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs. VAT may apply depending on your funding status and VAT registration.

Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (3096-31)

Last Registration Date: 31 Mar 2026

Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

Accreditation No: 610/0789/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 27/05/2032 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs. VAT may apply depending on your funding status and VAT registration.

Level 3

Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (3096-31)

Last Registration Date: 31 Mar 2026

Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (England)

Accreditation No: 610/0789/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £160.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs. VAT may apply depending on your funding status and VAT registration.

Level 3 Diploma in Adult care (3096-32)

Last Registration Date: 31 Mar 2031

Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care

Accreditation No: 610/7031/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/03/2035 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs. VAT may apply depending on your funding status and VAT registration.

Level 5

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (England) (3096-51)

Last Registration Date: 31 Mar 2026

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (England)

Accreditation No: 610/0977/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £230.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs. VAT may apply depending on your funding status and VAT registration.

Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service (3096-52)

Last Registration Date: 31 Mar 2031

Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service

Accreditation No: 610/7034/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/03/2035 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs. VAT may apply depending on your funding status and VAT registration.

Additional information for centres

LEARNING ASSISTANT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

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Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form.

Adult Care (England) (3096)