The new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate:
OVERVIEW
Impact Futures is now offering the Ofqual-approved Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate to prospective learners. In preparation for this brand-new qualification, we understand that, as care industry employers looking to roll this out to employees, that you most likely have a whole host of questions, along with a deep curiosity as to how this will benefit your business.
This article presents 10 top queries about how this certificate stands to benefit care providers like you, and how it holds real value – particularly if you’re struggling to source certified staff.
Let’s dive straight in.
The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate is an exciting new qualification, developed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in collaboration with Skills for Care. New for 2024, this certificate is specifically designed for individuals working in adult social care settings. It aims to equip staff with the essential skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to excel in their roles, and elevate care quality across the country.
This certification is designed for individuals aged 19 and over who are working in direct adult social care roles. Positions may include:
- Care workers
- Senior care employees
- Rehabilitation specialists
- Community support staff
- Individuals in outreach roles
50% of the current care workforce don’t hold an accredited qualification. So, this certification will help to legitimise those experienced and committed colleagues who deserve to be acknowledged for their skilled care, and see a path to progression mapped out before them.
Unlike the existing Care Certificate, this new qualification will be accredited, ensuring its quality and recognition across different roles and organisations. This means learners won’t need to retake the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate if they completed it in a previous role, allowing them to ‘hit the ground running’ when they join your organisation - saving both time and money for you and your stakeholders.
There is a very limited amount of funding available via the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS0. This funding pot works as a reimbursement scheme.
Act fast - once the funds have been exhausted, claims submitted will not be reimbursed. Reach out to the Impact Futures team on 01753 596 004 to begin the claim process.
You can claim a portion of the funding in advance of the learner completing the qualification. For example, 60% of course costs can be claimed for once proof of payment and evidence the employee has started the course is provided. Once the employee has completed the course, the remaining 40% can be claimed.
If the apprenticeship is completed by your employee(s), but not passed, reimbursement may still be made, providing you provide proof of completion. However, repeat courses per employee are not eligible for reimbursement. You can claim via an online, user-friendly platform. This is accessed through a portal on GOV.UK.
Alternatively, there may be other options available. Impact futures will help you find ways to keep things as affordable for your business as possible.
Learners must be aged 19 and over to enrol and receive allocated funding. England-based Adult Social Care providers, in both Care Quality (CQC) regulated and non-regulated care settings, can apply for reimbursement of course costs for new and existing staff undertaking the learning. Learners must also be working in direct adult social care roles. As the employer, you must be registered on the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (AS-WDS).
Reimbursement only covers the cost of the apprenticeship – i.e. course fees. Funding can’t be used for any associated costs, such as travel fares or stationery. All reimbursement claims will need to be made online, as mentioned above.
Visit the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate page for more information.
The qualification covers 15 key topics and areas (subject to Skills for Care and Ofqual approval). These include:
- Understanding own role
- Personal development
- Duty of care
- Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights
- Working in a person-centred way
- Communication
- Privacy and dignity
- Nutrition and hydration
- Awareness of mental health and dementia
- Adult safeguarding
- Safeguarding children
- Heath, safety and principles of basic life support
- Handling information
- Infection prevention and control
- Awareness of learning disabilities and autism
Modules are structured to provide learners with both the practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and critical behaviours that directly apply to roles in the adult social care setting. Individuals who obtain the new certificate will be equipped with the ability to deliver compassionate, person-centred care, while adhering to regulatory and ethical standards.
The entirety of this course is accessed online. Impact Futures uses a comprehensive e-learning platform for maximum flexibility and convenience. Online learning presents numerous benefits for care home leaders and their teams. This also means that there is no need for learners to step away from the work environment at any time. They can learn from wherever they happen to be.
If that’s the case, this new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate could still benefit your staff, owing to its refreshed and updated content and focus. That said, you may not be able to access funding for learners who already hold a Level 2 qualification, so, you may need to evaluate internally whether you’d like to go ahead, to ensure that the budget spend is entirely necessary.
Since our new government was voted into power, the funding for this learning has been scaled back. That said, there are still government funds available – just a very limited amount. There may be funding alternatives we can explore together. Act quickly. Call Impact Futures on 01753 596 004 today. We’ll support you however we can.
Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate
The new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate represents a substantial shift forward in the professional development of the social care workforce. With laser focus on adult social care modern practices and advancements, such as digital skills, the value this qualification holds is undeniable. It presents a real opportunity for new and existing care workers to heighten and enhance their standing in the field.
Visit the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate page if you’d like to learn more about Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate. You can also read our article for more of a deep dive.
Got any questions?
We’re all about making an impact, be that individuals making an impact through their day-to-day work, or by organisations making their impact on our economy.
As a national training provider, we make this impact throughout the UK, with expertise in childcare, healthcare, clinical and business skills apprenticeships.
If you have any questions, whether it be about this article or anything else, complete the form below, call us on 01753 596 004, or email us.
Both the Impact Futures and The Childcare Company brands are used interchangeably for both Impact Futures Training Limited and The Child Care Company (Old Windsor) Limited.