Skills for Care was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to develop a specification for the development of a new Care Certificate qualification based on the existing Care Certificate standards.
This was done in collaboration with the sector through a series of focus groups and meetings with stakeholders.
The final specification along with other supporting information is now available and awarding organisations are developing the qualification.
The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification is due to launch in June 2024. It will be accredited ensuring its quality and recognition by employers as care workers come to work for them. This will also reduce the costs and burden of repeat training on employers.
DHSC will be providing up to £53.91m of funding to support 37,000 individuals in direct adult social care roles to complete the new qualification between June 2024 and March 2025. Eligible employers will be able to apply for reimbursements towards the cost of the qualification on behalf of their employees.
Currently 54% of direct care workers do not have a level 2 or above qualification. The introduction of the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification will provide a baseline standard and help recognise our care workforce and the professional career that it is.
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The Department of Health & Social Care have created this document to address some of the frequently asked questions about the qualification.
Awarding organisations developing the qualification
Several awarding organisations are now developing the new qualification. They're listed below in alphabetical order.
Awarding organisations development of the new qualification is subject to final approval given by Skills for Care on behalf of the Department of Health & Social Care. Once final approval has been given, the awarding organisations qualification will be listed here.
Further details and information on the rollout of the qualification and interaction with the current Care Certificate standards will be shared by DHSC throughout the coming year.
Whilst this work is underway, the Care Certificate standards should continue to be accessed and used by the adult social care sector.