# Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (Level 5)

> The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care is a professional development course, designed to prepare practitioners and aspiring leaders for senior roles in the adult social care sector. It develops the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to manage care services effectively while ensuring that individuals receiving care are supported with dignity, respect, and person-centred approaches.

- Course page: https://upskilluni.com/courses/diploma-in-leadership-and-management-for-adult-care-level-5/729
- Provider: [SMC College](https://upskilluni.com/providers/smc-college)
- Price: £925 (was £1,850), buy online
- Study method: Online, On Demand
- Duration: 10 hours · Self-paced
- Level: Advanced
- Qualification: Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (Level 5)
- Includes: certificate, finance options
- Subjects: [Health, Safety & Care](https://upskilluni.com/courses/health-safety-and-care), [Health and Social Care](https://upskilluni.com/courses/health-and-social-care)
- Last updated: 2026-11-11

## Description

Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (Level 5) is designed to prepare practitioners and aspiring leaders for senior roles in the adult social care sector. It develops the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to manage care services effectively while ensuring that individuals receiving care are supported with dignity, respect, and person-centered approaches.

This qualification goes beyond the operational aspects of care delivery to focus on strategic leadership, governance, compliance, and workforce development. Learners will explore how to interpret and apply key health and social care legislation, manage resources responsibly, and foster an organisational culture that prioritises quality standards and continuous improvement.

As adult care services face increasing pressures—such as rising demand, diverse service user needs, regulatory scrutiny, and workforce challenges—leaders must be equipped with the ability to navigate complex systems, motivate teams, and deliver safe, compassionate, and efficient care. The diploma addresses these sector priorities, ensuring learners are ready to meet both current challenges and future opportunities.

Completion of the qualification affirms professional credibility and demonstrates readiness for leadership responsibilities. It is suitable for those already in supervisory roles who wish to progress into management, as well as experienced professionals seeking to formalise and enhance their leadership competencies.

In short, Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (Level 5) is not just a pathway to career advancement—it is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals, while contributing to the overall improvement of adult social care services.

**Learning Objectives**

By completing this diploma, learners will be able to:

- Apply health and social care laws, standards, and regulations to ensure compliance and safe practice.
- Manage communication and information systems to support effective decision-making and service delivery.
- Develop and sustain collaborative partnerships that improve outcomes in adult care.
- Demonstrate leadership and governance skills to drive quality and accountability in services.
- Implement continuous improvement and change management strategies in health and social care.
- Safeguard and protect individuals by embedding robust policies and practices.
- Lead management, supervision, and performance processes to build workforce capacity.
- Allocate and manage resources effectively to achieve organisational priorities.
- Promote and embed person-centred practice in all aspects of adult care.
- Manage residential adult care services in line with regulatory and quality requirements.
- Oversee domiciliary care services to ensure safe, efficient, and compassionate delivery.
- Integrate AI and emerging technologies to enhance innovation and efficiency in health and social care.

**Qualification Structure**

Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (Level 5) is structured around 12 mandatory units, each designed to build a comprehensive understanding of leadership, governance, compliance, and innovation in adult care. Learners will achieve 120 credits at the end of the course.

- Health and Social Care Laws, Standards and Regulations

- Communication and Information Management in Adult Care

- Partnership Working in Adult Care

- Leadership and Governance in Adult Care

- Continuous Improvement and Change Management in Health and Social Care

- Safeguarding and Protection in Adult Care

- Management, Supervision, and Performance in Adult Care

- Resource Management in Adult Care

- Person-Centred Practice in Adult Care

- Manage Residential Adult Care Services

- Manage Domiciliary Services

- AI and Emerging Technologies in Health and Social Care

**Assessment Method**

Each unit is assessed through an assignment.

**Accreditation**

This course is accredited by OTHM Awarding Organisation - A regulated Awarding Organisation.

**How will you study?**

Our learning portal will be available to you study 24/7. You can use your Desktop Computer, Laptop, Mobile or Tablet anytime in a flexible way to study entirely online. After login into your online learning portal, you will study in a structured way - read books/resources online and write your assignments with full study support to complete the whole qualification.

**Results and Certificate**

Learners will complete only 12 units. At the end of the course, you will achieve 120 credits and awarded by OTHM Awarding Organisation - A regulated Awarding Organisation.

**Who is this course for?**

This qualification is designed for individuals who are working in, or aspiring to, leadership and management roles within the adult social care sector. It is particularly suitable for:

**Current and Aspiring Managers**
Those already in supervisory or deputy management roles who want to progress into senior leadership positions in adult care.

**Experienced Care Practitioners**
Professionals with substantial care experience seeking to formalise their skills with a nationally recognised leadership qualification.

**Senior Care Workers and Team Leaders**
Staff looking to enhance their management knowledge and step up into registered manager or service leader roles.

**Residential and Domiciliary Service Managers**
Individuals responsible for leading care homes, domiciliary services, or other regulated care environments.

**Specialist Care Professionals**
Practitioners aiming to expand their expertise in safeguarding, resource management, person-centred care, and the integration of emerging technologies in adult care.

**Career Advancers**
Learners who want to strengthen their professional credibility, meet sector requirements for leadership roles, and open opportunities for higher-level qualifications in health and social care.

**Entry Requirements**

We have strict entry requirement for this course e.g. You must hold one of the following qualifications to be an eligible learner

- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Health and Social Care
- Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care or
- Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
- A degree in any other subject (with at least 3 years experience)

**Career Paths**

Completing the Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (Level 5) opens up a wide range of opportunities for progression within the health and social care sector. Learners can advance into senior management and specialist roles, as well as pursue further qualifications.

**Possible Career Opportunities**

- Manager of residential care homes, domiciliary services, or specialist care settings.
- Deputy Manager or Assistant Manager in adult social care organisations.
- Care Service Manager in local authority or private sector adult care services.
- Commissioning Manager overseeing contracts and service provision.
- Safeguarding Lead responsible for ensuring compliance and protection of vulnerable adults.
- Training and Development Manager within adult care organisations.
- Quality Assurance Lead focusing on compliance, inspection readiness, and service improvement.

**Progression to Higher Study**

- Level 6 Diplomas in Health and Social Care Management (RQF).
- Level 7 Diplomas in Health and Social Care Management (RQF).

Professional development programmes in strategic leadership, governance, or public health.

## Curriculum

- Health and Social Care Laws, Standards and Regulations
- Communication and Information Management in Adult Care
- Partnership Working in Adult Care
- Leadership and Governance in Adult Care
- Continuous Improvement and Change Management in Health and Social Care
- Safeguarding and Protection in Adult Care
- Management, Supervision, and Performance in Adult Care
- Resource Management in Adult Care
- Person-Centred Practice in Adult Care
- Manage Residential Adult Care Services
- Manage Domiciliary Services
- AI and Emerging Technologies in Health and Social Care

## Who is this course for?

This qualification is designed for individuals who are working in, or aspiring to, leadership and management roles within the adult social care sector. It is particularly suitable for: Current and Aspiring ManagersThose already in supervisory or deputy management roles who want to progress into senior leadership positions in adult care. Experienced Care PractitionersProfessionals with substantial care experience seeking to formalise their skills with a nationally recognised leadership qualification. Senior Care Workers and Team LeadersStaff looking to enhance their management knowledge and step up into registered manager or service leader roles. Residential and Domiciliary Service ManagersIndividuals responsible for leading care homes, domiciliary services, or other regulated care environments. Specialist Care ProfessionalsPractitioners aiming to expand their expertise in safeguarding, resource management, person-centred care, and the integration of emerging technologies in adult care. Career AdvancersLearners who want to strengthen their professional credibility, meet sector requirements for leadership roles, and open opportunities for higher-level qualifications in health and social care.

## Entry requirements

We have strict entry requirement for this course e.g. You must hold one of the following qualifications to be an eligible learner Level 3 Diploma in Adult Health and Social Care Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care or Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management A degree in any other subject (with at least 3 years experience)

## Certificates

Learners will complete only 12 units. At the end of the course, you will achieve 120 credits and awarded by OTHM Awarding Organisation - A regulated Awarding Organisation.

## Career path

Completing the Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (Level 5) opens up a wide range of opportunities for progression within the health and social care sector. Learners can advance into senior management and specialist roles, as well as pursue further qualifications. Manager of residential care homes, domiciliary services, or specialist care settings. Deputy Manager or Assistant Manager in adult social care organisations. Care Service Manager in local authority or private sector adult care services. Commissioning Manager overseeing contracts and service provision. Safeguarding Lead responsible for ensuring compliance and protection of vulnerable adults. Training and Development Manager within adult care organisations. Quality Assurance Lead focusing on compliance, inspection readiness, and service improvement. Level 6 Diplomas in Health and Social Care Management (RQF). Level 7 Diplomas in Health and Social Care Management (RQF). Professional development programmes in strategic leadership, governance, or public health.

## Funding

Monthly payment plan available, or pay in full online.
