Level 4 Adult Care Course. Study online at your own pace, fitting learning around your work and other commitments. The course runs over 12 months and is delivered online. Fees may apply depending on your circumstances, so contact London Cactus College directly to find out what funding you may be eligible for. You'll need to be working or volunteering in an adult care setting, as practical assessments take place in your workplace. The course covers advanced safeguarding, care planning, health and wellbeing, and team leadership. It builds the skills needed to move into senior and management roles in adult social care.
Who this course is for
This course is ideal for senior care assistants, support workers, team leaders, or experienced carers looking to progress into deputy or managerial roles, as well as professionals involved in care planning and staff supervision. It is designed for those ready to deepen their knowledge and lead in the care sector, with the requirement of working or volunteering in a real adult care setting to complete practical assessments.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements include being 18 or over, holding a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or equivalent), having experience in an adult care setting, and being in a suitable work role for assessment.
What you will learn
You'll develop advanced safeguarding skills for protecting vulnerable adults and children.
You'll learn how to facilitate person-centred assessments and support planning.
You'll build skills in health and wellbeing practice within adult care settings.
You'll strengthen your understanding of equality, diversity, and personalisation in care.
You'll develop advanced communication skills for working with service users and teams.
You'll gain knowledge of professional practice and personal development in health and social care.
You'll learn how to lead, supervise, and support staff in a care environment.
How you will learn
The course is delivered online via Teams with blended learning elements. Assessment is work-based, drawing on your practice in an adult care setting. You'll complete mandatory units covering safeguarding, care planning, communication, and professional practice, alongside optional units. Practical evidence from your workplace forms a core part of the assessment. The qualification carries 70 credits at Level 4.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. London Cactus College will confirm anything else you need before you start. You must be working or volunteering in an adult care setting, as workplace evidence is required to complete the assessments.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Senior care assistant: lead day-to-day care for adults in residential or community settings.
Deputy care manager: support the registered manager in running a care service.
Care team leader: supervise and coordinate a team of support workers.
Support worker (senior): provide specialist support with greater autonomy and responsibility.
Care coordinator: manage care plans and liaise between service users, families, and staff.
Adult social care supervisor: oversee quality of care delivery across a service.
What you could study next
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care: the next step if you want to move into registered manager or service manager roles.
Level 5 Certificate in Education and Training: worth considering if you want to train or mentor others in adult social care.
Nursing or social work degrees: some learners use Level 4 adult care qualifications as a foundation before applying to university-level programmes.
