Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care

Learners will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement, as they need to show competence in both knowledge, skills and behaviours. To be in a senior role, key worker role, personal assistant or working towards the roles, senior-level roles in hospitals, domiciliary care, community support and other care settings.,

The qualification is structured in a way which means that all learners will have to complete a group of 15 mandatory units, which cover core knowledge and skills competencies, and are appropriate across many leadership roles in adult care. The content of the mandatory units covers person-centred approaches, communication, personal development, equality and inclusion, handling information, duty of care, responsibilities of the role, safeguarding, and health, safety and wellbeing.

There is a range of optional units which can be combined in flexible ways to reflect the real working context of different learners.

The optional units support areas of specialism, including:

• Learning disability services
• End of life Care
• Clinical Skills
• Residential Care
• Domiciliary Care
• End of life care support
• Management skills
• Study Skills

To achieve the City &Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (England) learners must achieve a minimum of 58 credits:

• 39 credits from the 15 Mandatory units
• A minimum of 19 credits from optional units 

This qualification develops the knowledge, behaviours and skills needed when working in care settings. It contains both mandatory and optional units allowing learners to tailor the qualification to meet their needs, interests, preferred progression paths and the context of their job role. This qualification allows learners to learn, develop and demonstrate the skills, knowledge and behaviours required for employment and/or career progression in Adult Care within a role which has some autonomy, delegated responsibility or where there may be a need for supervision of others.

• Responsibilities and ways of working in adult care settings/services
• Safeguarding and protection in adult care settings/services
• Understanding mental capacity and restrictive practice
• Understanding duty of care
• Effective communication in adult care settings/services
• Handling information in adult care settings/services
• Promoting and implementing person-centred practice
• Promoting choice and independence in adult care settings/services
• Supporting individuals with their health and wellbeing
• Promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights in adult care settings/services
• Promoting health and safety in adult care settings/services
• Supporting infection prevention and control in adult care settings/services
• Implementing health and safety in adult care settings/services
• Continuous development when working in an adult care worker role
• Understanding personal wellbeing

There will be optional units of your choice depending on job role

Entry is at the discretion of the centre, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

However, learners should be aged 16 or above to undertake this qualification and be employed in the care sector. There will be enhanced disclosure and barring checks.

The course is delivered in the work place through observations, professional discussions, case studies, projects, questions and answers, product evidence and witness testimonies.

The qualification is internally assessed and quality assured through electronic portfolio of evidence. You will be appointed a specialist assessor in health and social care who will support and work closely with you through the course. Most of the assessment for this competence-based qualification will take place in the workplace under real work conditions.

We use City and Guilds approved SmartScreen our online portal that provides unit-specific support materials and tutor forums to complement the delivery and learning experience

Future study opportunities could be: Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care and Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service.

Future apprenticeship opportunities could include: Lead Practitioner in Adult Care apprenticeship.

This certified adult care course would also allow you to pursue self-employed opportunities in private care roles.

As a City of Bristol College student, you may incur additional costs to attend your course. For example, it is likely you may need to pay for travel and stationery. 

Many courses offer learning opportunities that you may need to pay for. This may include things like study visits and visiting speakers. We will let you know in advance if there will be additional costs.

If you are on a limited income, you may be able to receive help from our Learner Support Funding Bursary.