VTCT Skills Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)

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.

This qualification supports learners to build the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work confidently in adult care. It covers key areas such as 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 will complete mandatory units and selected 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 real workplace practice.

Qualification details:

Qualification: VTCT Skills Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
Sector: Health and Social Care
Product Code: ACD3R
Qualification Number: 610/7098/1
Level: 3
Guided Learning Hours: 391
Total Qualification Time: 580 hours
Credits: 58
Age Requirement: 16+
Units: 18–67 depending on selected optional units
Assessment: Portfolio of evidence and skills-based assessment where applicable

This course is suitable for learners already working in adult care who want to develop their knowledge, skills and competence at Level 3.

It is ideal for:

• Adult care workers
• Senior care assistants
• Support workers
• Learners working in residential, domiciliary or community care
• Staff providing person-centred care and support
• Learners wanting to progress 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.

During this course, learners will develop knowledge and practical skills in:

• Ways of working in adult care
• Safeguarding in adult care
• Mental capacity and restrictive practice
• Duty of care
• Effective communication
• Handling information
• Person-centred practice
• Choice and independence
• Health and wellbeing
• Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights
• Health and safety in adult care
• Infection prevention and control
• Continuous professional development
• Personal wellbeing in adult care
• Optional specialist areas linked to the learner’s job role

Mandatory areas include:

• Adult care working practices
• Safeguarding and protection
• Mental capacity and consent
• Duty of care and duty of candour
• Communication and confidentiality
• Person-centred care
• Promoting choice and independence
• Health, safety and wellbeing
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Infection prevention and control
• Professional development and wellbeing

Optional units may support specialist areas such as medication, dementia care, end of life care, learning disability, autism, diabetes, stoma care, wound care, positive behaviour, assistive technology, leadership and operational management.

This course includes:

• Tutor-led learning support
• Guidance for mandatory and optional units
• Portfolio evidence support
• Workplace assessment guidance
• Skills observation preparation
• Reflective account guidance
• Professional discussion support
• Safeguarding and duty of care guidance
• Communication and person-centred care support
• Health and safety learning support
• Infection prevention guidance
• Optional unit guidance based on learner pathway
• Tutor and assessor feedback
• Progression guidance for further adult care qualifications