ONLINE QUALIFICATION

Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)

The Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) is a nationally recognised occupational qualification designed for individuals who are working in adult care roles and wish to develop the knowledge, skills and competence required to provide safe, person-centred care. Delivered through flexible online learning with workplace assessment, the qualification combines theoretical learning with practical evidence gathered in your own care setting. Learners complete a portfolio of evidence that includes workplace observation, witness testimony, learner product evidence, professional discussion and written assignments, ensuring they can demonstrate competence against industry standards while continuing to work.

Awarding organisationFocus Awards

Qualification number603/2939/7

Study modeOnline Learning with Workplace Assessment

Duration6–12 Months

Credits58

AssessmentPortfolio of Evidence

£425.00

Start your qualification for £14.99 and pay as you progress.

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Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) Online Course | SJA Global Academia

About This Qualification

The Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) is an occupational qualification for learners with supervisory experience who are already working within the care sector, including lead adult care workers and lead personal assistants.

The qualification develops the knowledge and practical competence required to promote communication, person-centred approaches, equality and inclusion, health and safety, safeguarding, duty of care, personal development and the effective handling of information in adult care settings.

SJA Global Academia delivers this Level 3 Adult Care qualification through flexible online learning combined with workplace-based assessment. Learners study online while applying their knowledge in a real care environment and building a portfolio that demonstrates achievement of all learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

SJA's selected optional pathway includes independent advocacy, specific communication needs, diabetes awareness, substance misuse assessment, nutrition and hydration, and relationship support. This provides a broad programme suited to experienced care workers developing greater responsibility within adult care.

Who Is This Course For?

The Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care is designed for experienced care workers who are developing supervisory responsibility or progressing into lead practitioner roles.

Lead Adult Care Workers
Lead Personal Assistants
Senior Care Assistants
Senior Support Workers
Key Workers in adult care services
Experienced domiciliary care workers
Residential and supported-living care staff
Care workers preparing for increased responsibility
Learners progressing from a Level 2 Diploma in Care

What You Will Learn

This Adult Care Diploma develops the professional knowledge and workplace competence required for effective care practice and supervisory responsibility.

Promote Effective Communication

Develop communication approaches that respond to individual needs and support effective care practice.

Lead Person-Centred Practice

Promote care that respects individual preferences, rights, dignity, choices and desired outcomes.

Promote Safety and Wellbeing

Apply health, safety, safeguarding and duty-of-care responsibilities within adult care settings.

Develop Professional Practice

Promote personal development, reflective practice and effective handling of information.

Support Complex Needs

Develop knowledge and competence in diabetes awareness, communication needs, nutrition and substance misuse assessment.

Demonstrate Workplace Competence

Build evidence through assessor observation, witness testimony, learner products and professional discussion.

Qualification Structure / Units

To achieve the Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF), learners must achieve 58 credits: 28 credits from mandatory units and a minimum of 30 credits from optional units. At least 46 credits must be achieved at Level 3.

Mandatory Units

Unit Title	Unit Reference	Level	GLH	Credits
Promote Communication in Care Settings	J/616/8395	3	25	3
Promote Effective Handling of Information in Care Settings	L/616/8396	3	16	2
Promote Personal Development in Care Settings	F/616/8394	3	10	3
Promote Person-Centred Approaches in Care Settings	A/616/8393	3	39	6
Promote Equality and Inclusion in Care Settings	T/616/8392	3	18	2
Promote Health, Safety and Wellbeing in Care Settings	H/616/8386	3	20	6
Responsibilities of a Care Worker	D/616/8385	2	16	2
Duty of Care in Care Settings	Y/616/8384	3	8	1
Safeguarding and Protection in Care Settings	R/616/8383	2	26	3

SJA Selected Optional Units

Unit Title	Unit Reference	Level	GLH	Credits
Maintaining the Independent Advocacy Relationship	A/502/3148	3	25	6
Support Individuals with Specific Communication Needs	T/601/8282	3	35	5
Diabetes Awareness	D/503/1839	3	46	6
Carry Out Initial Assessments to Identify and Prioritise the Needs of Substance Misusers	D/601/0662	3	30	5
Promote Nutrition and Hydration in Health and Social Care Settings	T/503/2575	3	32	4
Support Individuals in Their Relationships	R/601/8578	3	27	4

Qualification Summary

Mandatory Credits: 28
Optional Credits: 30
Total Credits: 58
Official Guided Learning Hours: 315
Total Qualification Time: 580 Hours

Entry Requirements

Entry is at the discretion of the centre. Learners should be aged 16 or above. Focus Awards does not set additional formal entry requirements, although SJA Global Academia may apply suitability checks before enrolment.

Be aged 16 or above.
Already work within the adult care sector.
Have suitable experience and opportunities to demonstrate supervisory or lead-care practice.
Have sufficient written and spoken English to complete the qualification.
Have access to a computer, tablet or suitable internet-enabled device.
Have the support of an employer, manager or workplace supervisor.

Practical / Workplace Requirements

Important: This is a competence-based occupational qualification and cannot be achieved through written assignments alone.

You must already work in, or have reliable access to, an appropriate adult care setting where you can demonstrate the practical skills and responsibilities required by the selected units.

Your employer, manager or workplace supervisor must be aware that you are undertaking the qualification and should be willing to support:

Direct workplace observations by your assessor.
Witness testimony from an appropriate workplace witness.
Access to learner product evidence and relevant workplace documentation.
Professional discussions and questioning.
Assessment activities linked to your role and selected units.

Without suitable workplace access and workplace support, you will not be able to produce all the evidence required for successful completion.

How You Will Be Assessed

The Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care is internally assessed through a portfolio of evidence demonstrating achievement of all learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

Assessment is not based on written assignments alone. Your portfolio may include:

Assessor observation of your workplace practice.
Witness testimony from a competent workplace supervisor, manager or colleague.
Learner product evidence and naturally occurring workplace documentation, where appropriate.
Worksheets, assignments, projects and reports.
Records of oral and written questioning.
Learner and peer reports.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where applicable.

Your assessor will explain the evidence requirements for each unit and provide feedback throughout the assessment process. All required assessment criteria must be achieved before certification.

How Online Learning Works

The Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care Online is delivered through flexible online learning, allowing you to study around your work and personal commitments.

After enrolment, you will receive access to SJA Global Academia's Learning Management System, where course materials, unit guidance and assessment resources are available online.

Knowledge-based learning can be completed remotely, but practical competence must be demonstrated in your workplace. Your assessor will guide you through observations, evidence collection, professional discussions and portfolio development.

Tutor Support

Throughout your Level 3 Adult Care qualification, you will receive support from experienced tutors and assessors.

Dedicated Tutor Guidance

Receive help understanding course content, unit requirements and assessment criteria.

Email & WhatsApp Support

Contact your tutor conveniently for academic or administrative guidance.

One-to-One Online Tutorials

Personal tutorials can be arranged when additional support is needed.

Assessment Feedback

Receive constructive feedback on written work, workplace evidence and portfolio development.

Workplace Evidence Support

Get guidance on observation, witness testimony, learner products and professional discussion.

Certification & Recognition

Upon successful completion of all required units and assessments, your assessor will confirm that you have met the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF).

Your assessor's confirmation of completion is followed by Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) and, where applicable, External Quality Assurance (EQA) and awarding organisation approval. If additional evidence, clarification or amendments are requested, you will be required to provide them before your achievement can be finalised for certification.

The certification process normally takes approximately 3–5 weeks following formal completion and assessor confirmation, subject to successful completion of the required quality assurance and awarding organisation processes. This timeframe is an estimate rather than a guaranteed certification date.

Once certification has been completed, you will receive an electronic certificate confirming your achievement.

If you require a printed certificate, this can be requested for an additional £7 administration fee, plus the applicable postage or courier cost. Postal charges are payable by the learner for both UK and international delivery and depend on the destination.

Career Opportunities

Lead Adult Care Worker
Lead Personal Assistant
Senior Care Assistant
Senior Support Worker
Key Worker
Domiciliary Care Senior
Residential Care Senior
Supported-Living Senior Support Worker

Progression Routes

Focus Awards Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
Focus Awards Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services (England) (RQF)

Why Choose SJA Global Academia?

Study the Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care with SJA Global Academia and benefit from flexible, supported and workplace-focused learning.

Regulated Adult Care Qualification

Achieve a recognised occupational qualification within the Regulated Qualifications Framework.

Flexible Online Learning

Study around your work and personal commitments with online access to course materials.

Workplace-Focused Assessment

Demonstrate genuine occupational competence through observation, witness testimony and learner product evidence.

Experienced Tutor Support

Receive guidance through email, WhatsApp and one-to-one tutorials where required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care completed entirely online?

Do I need to be working in adult care?

Does my supervisor need to support me?

Can I complete the qualification through written assignments only?

How is the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care assessed?

How many credits are required?

What can I progress to after this qualification?

What qualification will I receive?

Can I start this qualification for £14.99?

Ready to Advance Your Career in Adult Care?

Take the next step towards becoming a confident and competent adult care professional with the Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF). Develop the knowledge, practical skills and workplace competence required to progress into senior care roles through flexible online learning, dedicated tutor support and real workplace assessment.