Build your understanding of adult social care with a free online Level 2 course.
You’ll explore communication, safeguarding, duty of care, person-centred approaches, equality and inclusion, health and safety, personal development and the role of a social care worker.
The course is suitable for beginners, adults considering work in care and anyone who wants to prepare for further study in health and social care.
Free for eligible learners. Certificate included on successful completion.
This course may be fully funded for eligible learners through the Adult Skills Fund.
Availability can depend on your location, eligibility and current funding options.
Learn the core principles of Adult Social Care in just 6-12 weeks.
Gain a nationally recognised, accredited Level 2 qualification.
Fully funded for eligible adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
This course is made up of manageable units that introduce communication, personal development, equality and inclusion, safeguarding, duty of care, the role of a social care worker, person-centred approaches, health and safety and handling information.
There are no exams. You’ll complete knowledge-based assessments using what you have learned from the course units below.
Understand why communication matters in adult social care and explore ways to meet an individual’s communication needs, wishes and preferences.
Learn about personal development, reflective practice and how feedback can support ongoing learning.
Understand equality, diversity, inclusion and discrimination and explore how inclusive practice can be supported in adult social care.
Develop awareness of different types of abuse, possible signs of harm, factors that may increase vulnerability and the action to take when concerns arise.
Understand what duty of care means and explore the dilemmas, incidents and complaints that may arise in care settings.
Explore working relationships, agreed ways of working, partnership working and the responsibilities associated with social care roles.
Understand person-centred support and why an individual’s needs, preferences, values and choices should be respected.
Build your understanding of key health and safety responsibilities, risk, infection prevention, medication awareness and safe working practices.
Learn about good practice when recording, storing, accessing and sharing information in adult social care.
This free online adult social care course introduces the knowledge used in care and support settings.
You’ll explore communication, personal development, equality and inclusion, safeguarding, duty of care, person-centred approaches, health and safety, handling information and the role of a social care worker.
The course is suitable for adults who are new to the sector, considering a career change, returning to learning or preparing for further health and social care study.
You’ll study online with tutor support and complete knowledge-based assessments linked to the course units. There are no exams.
On successful completion, you’ll gain a recognised Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care.
This is a knowledge-based qualification. It does not confirm workplace competence or replace employer induction, practical training or role-specific requirements.
This course is suitable for adults who want to:
Learn in confidence with support from a qualified tutor throughout the course.
Join thousands of learners in growing both professionally and personally.
The adult social care sector in England features an estimated 1.59 million individual workers filling roughly 1.7 million total posts.
Source: The King’s Fund
Your 3 simple steps to qualification…
You can begin your stress-free journey to qualification by completing the short form on this page.
Once submitted, we’ll instantly match you with a relevant training provider based on your location to complete your enrolment.
Enjoy a flexible and engaging learning experience through an award-winning online platform with support from a qualified tutor.
You can access first-class resources, interactive case studies, and support tools. All available on any device, anytime.
Your nationally recognised level 2 certificate proves you’ve developed essential new skills and in-depth knowledge. The qualification is accredited by either NCFE or TQUK, depending on your location.
It’s a powerful personal achievement that boosts confidence, enhances employability, supports CPD and opens the door to further study or career progression.
This course can be a useful first step for adults interested in:
The qualification develops foundational knowledge but does not confirm occupational competence or qualify you to work independently in a regulated care role.
The course does not guarantee employment or replace the requirements of a particular job description or employer.
Watch recent video testimonials from our learners.
This course is fully funded for eligible learners in England through the UK Government’s Adult Skills Fund.
Your course will be delivered online by one of our approved training provider partners, depending on your location.
Last year, we helped over 140,000 people enrol on free courses. Start yours today…
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Check Your Eligibility
*View visa restrictions
Funding isn’t available for Skilled Worker visas, Student visas, Graduate visas, Sponsorship (skilled/seasonal) visas, or any visa with a study restriction.
If this applies, you won’t be eligible for funding.
Start Your Enrolment
Yes, the course is free for eligible learners. Funding depends on your location, individual circumstances, current Adult Skills Fund availability and the provider matched to your application.
Yes. You’ll study online and receive support from a qualified tutor throughout the course.
Yes. When you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive a Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care.
The qualification is the Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care. It may be awarded by TQUK or NCFE depending on the provider and your location.
No. This is not the Care Certificate.
The Care Certificate is based on standards used by employers during induction and involves assessment of knowledge and workplace practice.
This course is a separate knowledge-based Level 2 qualification.
No. The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate is a separate workplace-based qualification developed for people working in adult social care.
This page offers the Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care.
No. This is not an NVQ or a competency-based diploma. It is a knowledge-based Level 2 certificate designed to introduce adult social care and prepare learners for further study or supervised work pathways.
The course can help you build useful foundational knowledge, but it does not confirm workplace competence or guarantee employment.
Employers may require practical training, experience, induction, DBS checks, mandatory training or additional qualifications.
It may be a useful first step if you are considering care assistant, support worker or adult social care roles.
You should check individual job descriptions because employer requirements vary.
The course covers communication, personal development, equality and inclusion, safeguarding, duty of care, the role of a social care worker, person-centred approaches, health and safety and handling information.
Yes. You do not need previous care experience or qualifications to apply.
The course is designed to develop knowledge and does not require learners to demonstrate occupational competence in a workplace.
No. You’ll complete knowledge-based assessments linked to the course units.
The course usually takes 6 to 12 weeks, based on around 5 to 10 recommended study hours each week.
The course leads to a regulated Level 2 qualification awarded by TQUK or NCFE, depending on the training provider.
It can support personal development and further learning but does not guarantee employment or replace workplace competency requirements.
Yes. The course may support CPD, personal development and preparation for further adult social care learning.
You can normally only study one funded course at a time. The total number available may depend on your eligibility, provider rules and current funding.
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TQUK qualifications are delivered by The Skills Network.
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