Qualification Summary
Overview:
There are currently two Level 4 qualifications available to practitioners working in the field of social care:
- Level 4 Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management in Adult Care
- Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care
The Level 4 Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management in Adult Care qualification provides essential knowledge about adult social care as well as leadership and management. Learners taking this qualification will extend their knowledge base so that they become more effective as leaders and managers in their current roles as well as preparing them for career progression within the adult social care sector.
As a pre-management qualification, a Level 4 qualification will provide practitioners with the opportunity to enhance their technical, supervisory and management skills and knowledge within the health and social care sector.
As with previous levels of social care qualifications on the Care in Practice framework, the currently available Level 4 qualifications will be reviewed by sector representatives, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, to ensure they meet the needs of the sector and that they are aligned with the developmental needs of those registrants working in an Enhanced Social Care Practitioner role.
- It is anticipated that the review of the Level 4 Health and Social Care qualifications will begin in April/ May 2025. It is estimated that the Level 4 qualification(s) in Health and Social Care will go ‘live’ for access and registration by September 2026, if not before.
NB: Your employer will be able to offer you advice about whether you are in a role that will enable you to gather the 'naturally occurring evidence' (inclusive of direct observations of practice) to complete this work-based qualification i.e. that the tasks you undertake, as part of your job role, will enable you to meet all of the evidence requirements for the Level of qualification that you are studying.
More Information
Possible funding support – for those working in the Independent (Private, Community and Voluntary) Sector:
Relevant Resources
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