NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care

Qualification Structure

Learners must achieve at least 95 credits to complete the diploma:

• 80 credits from mandatory units
• 15+ credits from optional units

📚 Mandatory Topics / Themes (examples)

The qualification covers a broad range of leadership and management topics including: 

• Leadership and management in adult care – organisational leadership and supervisory practice.
• Team leadership and workforce development – supervising, appraising and coaching staff.
• Governance, regulation, and quality assurance – compliance, inspection readiness.
• Communication & partnership working – collaboration with stakeholders.
• Person‑centred practice & outcomes – improving client care approaches.
• Safeguarding, risk management & health and safety – protecting vulnerable adults.
• Decision‑making and innovation – strategic choices and service improvement.
• Professional development and performance supervision – developing teams and self.

🧠 Optional Units

Optional units allow specialisation and may include: 

• Recruitment, selection & retention
• Assistive technology in adult care
• Business development
• Digital skills for care leadership
• Research in adult care
• Mental capacity and specialist areas of care

Assessment Methods

• Professional discussion
• Observed practice and witness testimony
• Written assignments & reflective accounts
• Portfolios and case studies
• Logbooks and employer feedback 

Grading: Achieved / Not yet achieved on each unit.

• Minimum age: 19+ 
• No mandatory academic prerequisites, but experience and workplace role are essential. 
• Providers usually prefer learners with Level 3 or equivalent and care management experience. 

👉 Learners must be working in adult care or have access to a managerial role where they can be observed and gather evidence of competence.

Career Progression

• Equips you for registered manager, deputy manager, assistant manager, care broker, or case manager roles. 
• Strengthens leadership credibility and helps meet sector requirements for adult social care leadership. 
• Provides a recognised qualification for career development or promotion within adult care. 
• Supports entry onto undergraduate degree programmes (e.g., Health and Social Care Management). 

💼 Skills Development

• Builds advanced leadership, governance, and strategic planning skills. 
• Enhances communication, partnership working, and performance management. 
• Develops confidence in safeguarding, risk, quality improvement, and service development. 

🏆 Recognition

• Ofqual‑regulated Level 5 qualification recognised across UK adult care employers. 
• Aligns with Skills for Care workforce development principles and leadership standards.

This qualification is ideal for:

• Current or aspiring managers in adult social care who want formal leadership certification. 
• Deputy managers, registered managers, or senior practitioners preparing for higher responsibility roles. 
• Professionals who want to develop management, leadership, organisational, and decision‑making skills within care services.
• Learners aged 19+ with workplace access in appropriate managerial roles (required to gather evidence). 

👉 There are no formal entry requirements, but providers generally recommend a Level 3 qualification or above (e.g., Level 3 in Adult Care or Health & Social Care) and relevant work experience.