Overview of Level 2 Care Certificate
The new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate has been developed in partnership with Skills for Care to provide a regulated qualification that expands on the existing care certificate standards. The new Level 2 Care Certificate offers a revised and updated set of standards that define the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in health and social care.
The new Certificate has been developed in response to the fact that 54% of direct care workers in the UK do not currently have a level 2 qualification or above. It aims to support care workers to not only remain in adult social care but build fulfilling careers by becoming qualified and recognised for their dedication and professionalism.
Another advantage of the new certificate is that it recognises prior learning and experience. Depending on the training you’ve completed previously and the experience you have, you might be able to have this prior knowledge acknowledged.
Funding Information
The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate for adult social care has been included on the list of approved courses eligible for funding under the Learning and Development Support Scheme. This means eligible employers can claim funding for eligible care staff of up to £1,500 in the Level 2 Care Certificate funding.
Level 2 Care Certificate funding will use a split reimbursement model. Employers can claim 60% of the funding once their employee begins the qualification, with the final 40% released upon submission of evidence confirming course completion. Funding will be available for eligible courses and qualifications that have been both paid for and started between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive).
Aims of Level 2 Care Certificate
The Level 2 Care Certificate encompasses 15 units, each corresponding to a specific standard, designed to ensure care workers possess the essential knowledge and skills for their roles. These standards align with those of the original Care Certificate but have been enhanced to meet the requirements of a Level 2 qualification.
The 15 Standards of the Level 2 Care Certificate
- 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
