Care Certificate Level 2: What's coming and what's the latest?

How Flourish is supporting you with the New Level 2 Care Certificate Qualification

Things are changing in the world of adult social care! With 54% of direct care workers currently lacking a qualification at Level 2 or higher, the upcoming launch of the new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification will establish a baseline standard across the industry. Fully accredited to ensure quality and recognition by employers, this new qualification aims to support care workers in gaining valuable skills and knowledge in adult social care.

In line with this news, Flourish is excited to introduce our new fully remote Level 2 Care Certificate qualification and accompanying eLearning courses. Our courses aim to equip care professionals with advanced skills and a formal qualification that reflects the latest standards and best practices in adult social care.

Background on the Care Certificate

The Care Certificate was first introduced in 2015 by Skills for Care, Health Education England, and Skills for Health. It set out to establish a unified standard of training for new workers in the health and social care sectors, covering 15 essential standards. However, recent developments have seen the Care Certificate evolve into a formally recognised Level 2 qualification.

The Transition to the Level 2 Certificate

In 2021, The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) committed to reviewing the current Care Certificate delivery model, addressing its challenges, and defining its future role in the sector. In 2022, they engaged PA Consulting, Skills for Care, and the Social Care Institute of Excellence to begin this review. After a thorough discovery and engagement process, it was decided that the Care Certificate would be established as a formal Level 2 qualification in adult social care.

In March 2023, DHSC recommended that the content be developed to reflect best practices without significantly altering existing standards.

The transition to the new Level 2 qualification is part of a broader initiative to enhance the quality and consistency of training within the sector. It addresses the need for a standardised approach that reduces redundancy in training and recognises the professional career path within adult social care. The updated certificate covers critical areas such as personal well-being, equality, diversity, digital skills, and more—ensuring a well-rounded foundation for all care workers. It is open to all eligible direct care staff aged 19+.

What's involved in the Level 2 Qualification?

The new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification covers a wide range of essential standards for effective practice in the sector. Learners will need to demonstrate proficiency in key areas, including:

• Standard 1: Role comprehension
• Standard 2: Personal growth
• Standard 3: Duty of care
• Standard 4: Promoting equality, diversity, inclusion, and human rights
• Standard 5: Person-centred approaches
• Standard 6: Effective communication
• Standard 7: Upholding privacy and dignity
• Standard 8: Nutrition and hydration management
• Standard 9: Understanding mental health, including dementia
• Standard 10: Adult safeguarding principles
• Standard 11: Child safeguarding protocols
• Standard 12: Health and safety, including basic life support
• Standard 13: Information management
• Standard 14: Infection prevention and control
• Standard 15: Insight into learning disabilities and autism

To successfully achieve the Level 2 Certificate, learners must complete 30-36 credits and dedicate up to a maximum of 369 Total Qualification Time (TQT) hours. The qualification will take about 6-8 months to complete.

Why is this new qualification important?

In the past, the delivery of the Care Certificate standards has varied significantly across different organisations, leading to inconsistencies in how training and assessments are administered. This lack of uniformity often meant that new staff, who had already completed the Care Certificate, were required to redo their training when moving to a new employer. The new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification aims to standardise training delivery and enhance the portability of credentials across the sector.

Launch and funding

The Department of Health and Social Care will allocate up to £53.91 million to support 37,000 individuals in completing this qualification, with up to £1,500 available per learner and reimbursements available for adult social care employers. This initiative emphasises the value of the new qualification and significantly mitigates the cost burden on employers.

However, a recent update from DHSC on the 29^th of May, has confirmed that this funding will be put on pause during the General Election period.

While we’re disappointed that the funding won’t be available as planned at the beginning of June, we're still planning to launch our qualification on this date as we firmly believe that the Adult Care Certificate will be a valuable tool in helping to raise standards and professional outcomes within the care workforce.

When the funding for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification does become available, it can be accessed via the Adult Social Care Training and Development Fund. Employers can apply for reimbursement up to a maximum of £1,500 per learner towards training course costs through a new, user-friendly digital service.

The Digital Skills Framework, a free resource funded and strategically led by the NHS Transformation Directorate, supports the enhancement of digital skills across the sector. This streamlined process ensures employers can easily access funding in regulated or non-regulated settings and register on the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set.

Eligibility for funding extends to adult social care employers in regulated and non-regulated settings. However, employers must be registered on the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set to benefit from the funding. Upskilling is essential for enhancing the standards and capabilities of our care workforce, making this an ideal time for employers to do so.

For 2024, eligible adult social care (ASC) employers in England can claim staff training costs from the Adult Social Care Training and Development Fund.

To be eligible providers must:

• Provide an adult social care service
• Directly employ care staff in England
• Have completed the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS).

How will the qualification align with other mandatory training requirements, competency sign-off, recommendations and developments in the sector?

The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate is designed to enhance employer support, training, professional development, supervision, appraisal, and induction.

The learning outcomes in this qualification have been updated to include greater awareness of learning disabilities and autism.

These updates align with the Core Capabilities Frameworks for supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people. Additionally, the final Oliver McGowan Code of Practice will provide guidance for CQC-regulated employers on meeting the statutory requirements for learning disability and autism training.

What are the expectations for this qualification?

Valid recognition of prior learning (RPL) and other reliable learning and assessments, whether from induction or time spent in the role, can be used as evidence towards completing the qualification.

The learning journey will vary depending on the individual's needs and experience:

• Experienced individuals may already have evidence supporting many knowledge and skills requirements.
• An assessor must verify this evidence, potentially reducing the need for time away from daily tasks.

Learners will be assessed to ensure competence in the skills and knowledge required by the qualification. The assessor will collaborate with the learner to determine the best methods to provide evidence.

Some elements of the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate require direct observation, necessitating an assessor visit to the learner's workplace.

How will assessment work?

The assessment process ensures learners are competent in the required knowledge and skills. Qualified assessors conduct regular, formal assessment sessions to track progress and meet criteria.

Assessors work with learners to plan the best ways to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, using reflective accounts, professional discussions, observations, work product evidence, and written or verbal responses. If needed, assessment methods can be adapted to suit individual preferences.

The assessment cycle includes planning, review, and feedback meetings to discuss needs and progress. The submitted evidence is reviewed against qualification standards, and constructive feedback is provided to support improvement. Our goal is to help learners confidently meet all necessary qualifications.

What is the registered manager's role in this?

Registered managers will collaborate with Flourish to understand qualification requirements and determine the best teaching, learning, assessment, and delivery methods. They will also support assessors in planning observation visits to minimise disruption to care and support services.

Managers and experienced staff can play a valuable role in the assessment process by sharing relevant workplace evidence, providing statements, and supporting learners. Additionally, those with experience in Care Certificate standards delivery may have opportunities to become formally qualified assessors if appropriate.

Flourish is here to support your learning

At Flourish, we are dedicated to supporting each individual's health and social care journey through our award-winning eLearning solutions.

Our courses are designed to provide the knowledge necessary to meet the Care Certificate standards. Additionally, we provide support for the practical assessment components, which are conducted within workplace settings. These practical assessments are overseen by suitable assessors and expert witnesses, ensuring learners understand the theory and are competent in applying their skills in real-world care settings.

The new Level 2 Care Certificate qualification represents a significant step forward in the professionalisation and standardisation of training within the adult social care sector. We are excited to offer this enhanced qualification and look forward to contributing to the development of skilled care professionals.

Stay tuned for more updates and prepare to elevate your career with Flourish!