Moving To An Integrated Approach To Qualifications Within The Adult Care And Health Sectors In England

Moving to an integrated approach to qualifications within the adult care and health sectors in England

Following the Government’s changed policy on qualifications and Apprenticeships, Skills for Care and Skills for Health have been working together with awarding organisations to develop an integrated qualification at level 2 to meet the needs of both the adult care and health sectors.

We’re committed to qualifications which have at their core shared knowledge and skills that support the vision of providing integrated services and the portability of skills and knowledge across the health and adult care workforce.

The new Level 2 Diploma in Care will provide greater clarity, transferability and opportunity for workers within both adult care and health. The qualification has mandatory units which all workers will take regardless of whether they work in health or adult care. From the optional units, learners and their employer can select those which best fit with their occupational role. This flexibility means that individuals who work in one area, or across both health and adult care, will be able to develop the skills and knowledge required for their role.

From 1 January 2018 this qualification will replace the Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care and the Level 2 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support in England. It will be the named mandatory qualification in the Apprenticeship Standard for Adult Care Worker. Although there is no named mandatory qualification in the Apprenticeship Standard for Healthcare Support Worker, learners may take this qualification whilst on-their apprenticeship programme to gain the knowledge and skills required for the role.

For further details, check Ofqual’s Register of Regulated Qualifications at https://register.ofqual.gov.uk/ or contact your selected awarding organisation.