Leader in adult care
Level 5 · HigherCare services 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A leader in adult care holds a senior management role with strategic responsibility for the quality, safety, and development of adult care services. At level 5, apprentices develop the leadership, business, and regulatory skills needed to run outstanding care services and drive continuous improvement. This apprenticeship is designed for aspiring registered managers, service managers, or heads of care.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Strategic leadership and how to build and sustain high-performing care teams
Regulatory frameworks including CQC inspection standards and compliance requirements
Business management skills including budgeting, procurement, and commissioning
How to lead cultural change and embed person-centred values across a service
Governance, risk management, and quality assurance in care settings
Workforce development strategies including recruitment, retention, and CPD
Partnership working with health services, local authorities, and the community
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Lead and manage all aspects of a regulated adult care service
Prepare for and support CQC or equivalent regulatory inspections
Set and monitor quality standards through audits, observations, and feedback
Develop the workforce through supervisions, appraisals, and training plans
Manage the service budget and report on financial performance
Build partnerships with commissioners, health professionals, and stakeholders
Lead on safeguarding investigations and ensure duty of candour is upheld
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 5 (Higher) - roughly Foundation-degree level. Usually needs Level 3 (A-levels, a T-Level, or an Advanced apprenticeship) or relevant experience.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 6 (Degree) apprenticeship or a senior role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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