Overview

The Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care, awarded by ICQ, is designed for experienced professionals in the adult social care sector who are in or aspiring to senior roles involving supervision, leadership, and operational responsibility. This qualification builds upon existing knowledge and skills to develop the capability to lead teams, manage services, and ensure high-quality care delivery across diverse settings.

 

Who is this for?

Learners:​

• Senior care workers or supervisors

• Deputy managers or aspiring managers

• Team leaders responsible for care delivery

• Professionals aiming to formalise leadership and management skills in adult care

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Employers:

• Care home providers

• Domiciliary care agencies

• NHS support service employers

• Local authorities and charities offering adult social care

 

Course Content

The Level 4 Diploma provides in-depth learning across key leadership and management areas, including:

• Leading person-centred practice

• Developing and implementing care plans

• Managing communication and information systems

• Professional supervision and performance management

• Ensuring health, safety, and risk management in care settings

• Understanding safeguarding responsibilities at a managerial level

• Promoting professional development and reflective leadership

• Facilitating outcomes-based practice and quality improvement

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​Duration

• Typically 9 to 18 months

• Flexible delivery: online, or blended formats

• Designed to fit around full-time or part-time work

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Eligibility

• Employment: Staff must be directly employed at the time of undertaking and completing the training.

• Role: Staff should be working in non-regulated roles but with responsibilities that reflect Level 3 practice, such as team leading, mentoring, or specialist support.

 

Funding

The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS), launched by the Department of Health and Social Care, provides funding to help the non-regulated adult social care workforce complete training courses and qualifications. 

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Key Details:

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• Reimbursement Amount: Employers can claim up to £1,100 per qualification for courses paid for between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.

• Reimbursement Schedule: Employers can claim 60% of the funding once their employee begins the qualification, with the final 40% released upon submission of evidence confirming course completion.

• Eligibility: Staff must have a valid National Insurance number and be directly employed in a care role.

• Claim Process: Employers must have an up-to-date Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) account and complete an expression of interest form to access the online claims service.

 

For detailed guidance on the LDSS, including eligibility criteria and the claims process, visit the Learning and Development Support Scheme for the adult social care workforce: a guide for employers.

 

Entry Requirements

• Typically has completed the Level 3  Diploma in Adult Care

• Learners should be aged 19+

• Basic literacy and numeracy skills recommended

 

Progression Opportunities

On successful completion, learners may progress to:

• Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service

• Specialised roles in dementia care, learning disabilities, or mental health

 

Employer Benefits

• Demonstrates staff competency and commitment to quality care

• Improves care standards and service outcomes

• Strengthens internal leadership and care delivery capacity

• Enhances service quality and CQC compliance

• Demonstrates investment in staff development

• Enables access to LDSS funding support

• Contributes to staff retention and morale

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