Work-based development
Your learning is directly connected to your paid role, with workplace opportunities to practise and demonstrate competence.
- Paid employment throughout
- Suitable mentor and supervision
- Workplace practice and evidence
Adult care worker · Level 2
Build your care career through an apprenticeship
Develop practical confidence, knowledge and professional behaviours while working in a genuine adult care role and earning your qualification.
12 months
Typical duration
300 hours
Paid off-the-job learning
Monthly
Tutor teaching
2+
Workplace observations
Your programme
Learning designed around real care practice
For people aged 16 or over who are employed in a genuine adult care role, hold a contract of employment and can develop and demonstrate new skills at work.
Flexible tutor support
You will normally have at least one three-hour teaching session each month, delivered around you, your employer and your tutor.
- Workplace, online or face-to-face
- One-to-one or group learning
- Fortnightly sessions for young apprentices where needed
OneFile e-portfolio
OneFile keeps resources, submissions, feedback, targets, reviews and your off-the-job learning record together.
- Track progress
- Submit typed, handwritten or recorded evidence
- Prepare for reviews
Qualification content
15 mandatory units, one complete foundation
Build the knowledge and understanding needed to work safely, confidently and compassionately in adult social care.
- 01Understanding your own role
- 02Personal development in adult social care
- 03Duty of care
- 04Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights
- 05Person-centred practice
- 06Effective communication
- 07Privacy and dignity
- 08Nutrition and hydration
- 09Mental health and dementia awareness
- 10Adult safeguarding
- 11Safeguarding children
- 12Health, safety and basic life support
- 13Effective handling of information
- 14Infection prevention and control
- 15Learning disability and autism
Your journey
From first conversation to achievement
Check eligibility
Confirm your adult care role, employment, residency and opportunity to develop new knowledge, skills and behaviours.
Apply and assess your starting point
Complete your application, ID and eligibility checks, neurodiversity screening, English, maths and ICT assessments, and Initial Skills Scan.
Agree your training plan
You, your employer and The Link Training agree your schedule, support, assessment and paid off-the-job learning.
Learn and build evidence
Attend tutor sessions, complete the 15-unit qualification and gather evidence through OneFile and workplace activity.
Review your progress
Every 8–10 weeks, you, your manager and tutor review progress, support needs, feedback and next targets.
Demonstrate competence
Complete observations, professional discussions and portfolio work, including a final observation across the required skills and behaviours.
Assessment and achievement
Show what you know—and what you can do
You are continuously assessed throughout the programme under Adult Care Worker Standard Version 2.0. There is no separate End-Point Assessment event.
- Portfolio evidence and knowledge activities
- At least two workplace observations
- Professional discussions and progress reviews
- A final observation of consistent skills and behaviours
- Functional Skills for 16–19-year-olds without the required grades; optional from age 19
A partnership with your employer
- Release and pay you for training, reviews, observations and off-the-job learning
- Provide around six paid hours each week for eligible off-the-job development
- Support workplace practice, observations and feedback
- Join 8–10 weekly reviews and monitor progress through OneFile
- Provide appropriate supervision; special safeguards apply to apprentices under 18
Apprenticeship funding
This apprenticeship is funded through the apprenticeship levy. The current funding band is £4,500. Levy-paying employers can use their apprenticeship levy funds to cover the cost. For learners aged 25+, a Levy Transfer may be available; otherwise the employer contribution is 5% plus VAT, payable over the first six months and never recoverable from the learner.
Fees, funding and programme requirements can change. We will confirm the latest position before enrolment.
Compare the pathways
Same care foundation. Two different routes.
Choose according to the time, structure and support that best fit you and your employer.
Apprenticeship
Standalone Qualification
Route
ApprenticeshipPaid work-based apprenticeship
Standalone QualificationStandalone qualification
Typical duration
Apprenticeship12 months (minimum 8)
Standalone QualificationAround 20 weeks; no statutory minimum
Tutor pattern
ApprenticeshipAt least monthly, usually 3 hours
Standalone QualificationRecommended 3 hours every 3 weeks
Off-the-job learning
Apprenticeship300 paid hours, roughly 6 hours weekly
Standalone QualificationNot required
Functional Skills
ApprenticeshipRequired for eligible 16–19-year-olds; optional from 19
Standalone QualificationNot required
Talk through your next step
We’ll help you decide whether this route matches your role, goals and workplace.