The VTCT Skills Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) is a professional qualification designed for learners working in adult care settings who want to develop and evidence their competence in providing high-quality, person-centred care. It builds the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work confidently in adult care, covering safeguarding, duty of care, communication, mental capacity, person-centred practice, health and wellbeing, equality and diversity, health and safety, infection prevention, handling information and continuous professional development.

Learners complete mandatory units and a selected set of optional units to achieve a minimum of 58 credits. The qualification is assessed through a portfolio of evidence and skills-based assessment where applicable, using the learner’s real workplace practice.

Qualification details 

Qualification: VCT Skills Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)

Product code: CD3R

Qualification number: 10/7098/1

Level: 3

Guided Learning Hours: 391

Total Qualification Time: 580 hours

Credits: 58 (minimum)

Age requirement: 16+

Units: 18–67 depending on selected optional units

Assessment: Portfolio of evidence and skills-based assessment where applicable

• Adult care workers and senior care assistants

• Support workers in residential, domiciliary or community care

• Staff providing person-centred care and support

• Learners progressing from Level 2 to Level 3

• Experienced care staff seeking formal recognition of competence

• Learners preparing for further study at Level 4

Learners must have access to a real adult care workplace so they can gather evidence and demonstrate competence in practice.

• Ways of working, duty of care and continuous professional development

• Effective communication and handling information

• Safeguarding, mental capacity and restrictive practice, equality and diversity

• Person-centred practice, choice and independence, person-centred assessment planning, positive risk taking

• Health and wellbeing, health and safety, infection prevention and control, personal wellbeing

• Understanding mental health problems and promoting positive behaviour

• Optional specialist content selected for this cohort: assistive technology, person-centred assessment planning, positive risk taking, promoting positive behaviour

• Tutor-led learning support and guidance for all mandatory and optional units

• Portfolio evidence and workplace-assessment guidance

• Skills-observation preparation and reflective-account guidance

• Professional discussion support and tutor/assessor feedback throughout

• Progression guidance for further adult care qualifications

• Faculty support, replay access to recordings, and guided observation experience