Lift College offers seven online health and social care qualifications: Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity, Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Dementia Care, Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Working with and Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities, Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges, Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health, Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) and Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (RQF), plus The Care Certificate, for people working, or about to start work, in adult social care in England.
An RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) diploma in health and social care is an Ofqual-regulated, work-based qualification assessed through your real care setting. The RQF replaced the legacy NVQ and QCF frameworks; qualifications awarded today by bodies such as NCFE CACHE, Highfield, and City & Guilds are all RQF-regulated diplomas. They are fully recognised by the CQC, Skills for Care, and employers across the sector.
7 courses · every one starts with 7 days free
Choose your care course
Each course is studied online. Choose one to see the course and how to start.
Compare health and social care courses online here: every adult care diploma below is Ofqual regulated, awarded by TQUK and studied with a named UK tutor, and the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care and the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care are the two qualifications CQC registered services ask for.
The Care Certificate covers the 16 induction standards every new care worker completes, for £19.99, pay once, with a CPD accredited certificate; your employer observes your practice and signs off the certificate itself.
Online care courses with Lift College run from the Care Certificate, £19.99 pay once, for new care workers, to the TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care from £69.99 a month and the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care from £79.99 a month when you pay today, both studied online with a named UK tutor and assessed by portfolio, with no exams.
Marked practice back in 5 to 7 working days
Pay today or start with a 7-day free trial: cancel any time, 14-day money back
Your certificate when you complete the qualification
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE GUIDE
Browse every health and social care qualification we offer, from level 3 through level 5.
The TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF), qualification number 610/6988/7, is the Ofqual-regulated qualification for senior care workers and lead practitioners, at £69.99 a month or £629.99 a year when you pay today, save up to 17% for life, or £79.99 a month or £815.99 a year after a 7-day free trial, with all fees included. The TQUK Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (RQF), qualification number 610/7004/X, is the qualification CQC expects for registered managers, at £79.99 a month or £719.99 a year when you pay today, save up to 17% for life, or £89.99 a month or £917.99 a year after a 7-day free trial. Both diplomas are assessed by portfolio with no exams, marked by a named UK tutor in 5 to 7 working days, and you can pay today or with a 7-day free trial, with nothing charged until day 8 on the trial, no contract, no credit check, cancel any time, and a 14-day money-back guarantee on every payment.
The Care Certificate is a set of 16 induction standards that every new care worker in England must complete, distinct from RQF regulated diplomas such as the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care. Lift College offers the regulated Level 3 to Level 5 diplomas that build on Care Certificate standards and are recognised by the CQC and Skills for Care for career progression.
How it works
From your first lesson to your certificate
1
Start free
Start with a 7-day free trial. It is £0 today, you can cancel any time, and nothing is charged until day 8.
2
Study with your named tutor
Work online at your own pace with a named UK tutor. Marked practice comes back in 5 to 7 working days.
3
Build your portfolio
Build your portfolio in your setting. Your assessor uses that workplace evidence. There is no written exam on these diplomas.
4
Get your TQUK certificate
When your portfolio meets the standard, you receive the TQUK certificate.
Awarding bodies and exam centres
Awarding bodies in Health & Social Care
Training Qualifications UK 7 qualifications
Compare
Which course is right for you?
Course
What it is for
Assessment
Hours or credits
Typical study time
Price
Care Certificate
New care workers and support workers completing induction; the 16 Skills for Care standards
Knowledge covered online; employer observes practice and awards the Care Certificate on the national template
16 standards, 12 hours of learning recorded on the certificate
Care workers moving into senior care worker or lead practitioner roles; must be working or volunteering in adult care in England
Portfolio of evidence, observation on shift, professional discussion; no exams; TQUK certificate included
59 credits, 496 guided learning hours (590 TQT)
12 to 18 months
£69.99 a month or £629.99 a year when you pay today, or £79.99 a month or £815.99 a year after a 7-day free trial, all fees included
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
Deputy managers, managers and registered managers; needs a leadership role in a care service
Portfolio from your own leadership practice; no exams; TQUK certificate included
95 credits, 710 guided learning hours (950 TQT)
18 to 24 months
£79.99 a month or £719.99 a year when you pay today, or £89.99 a month or £917.99 a year after a 7-day free trial, all fees included
Annual billing saves 15% on both diplomas, and paying today without the trial saves up to 17% on every payment, with your price fixed for life. The Level 3 Diploma is open to learners aged 16 and over, and the Level 5 Diploma to learners aged 19 and over.
Health and social care is one of the few sectors where qualifications are tied directly to what you are legally allowed to do at work. The Care Certificate sets the minimum induction standard for anyone starting a care role, while RQF diplomas at Level 3 and above formally recognise the deeper competence needed for senior care worker, lead practitioner and registered manager roles.
Because most of these qualifications assess real workplace competence, they combine online theory study with observed practice in a genuine care setting, which is different from a purely classroom based or exam based qualification.
You are responsible for the quality of care that dozens of people receive every day.
The Care Certificate is the foundation that almost every paid care role in England is built on.
Level 2 vs Level 3 vs Level 5 in adult care
Factor
Level 2
Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (RQF)
Typical role
Care assistant, support worker
Senior care worker, lead practitioner
Registered manager, service manager
Typical salary
£20,000 to £24,500
About £26,000 full time (median £13.33 an hour)
£35,000 to £55,000 (median £42,700)
Typical duration
6 to 12 months
12 to 18 months
18 to 24 months
Entry requirement
Working or volunteering in a care setting
Experience as a care worker, usually Level 2 held
Experience in a senior or supervisory care role
Awarding body examples
Training Qualifications UK (TQUK)
Training Qualifications UK (TQUK)
Training Qualifications UK (TQUK)
Where it leads
Where Health & Social Care qualifications can take you
Level
Typical roles
Salary range (GBP)
Level 3, RQF Diploma in Adult Care
Senior care worker, key worker, lead practitioner
About £26,000 full time (median £13.33 an hour) ↗
Level 3, Clinical Support Worker (NHS)
Clinical support worker, healthcare assistant Band 3
£25,760 to £27,476 (NHS Band 3) ↗
Level 3, Mental Health Support Worker
Mental health support worker, recovery worker, wellbeing practitioner
£25,000 to £29,000 ↗
Level 4, Lead Practitioner in Adult Care
Team leader, deputy manager, senior practitioner
£28,000 to £32,000 ↗
Level 5, RQF Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
Registered care manager, service manager, care home manager
£35,000 to £55,000 (median £42,700) ↗
Level 5, Registered Manager (larger services)
Area manager, regional care manager, operations manager
£38,000 to £50,000 ↗
Social work route (via degree)
Social worker, mental health social worker, hospital social worker
£33,000 to £45,000 ↗
Nursing / allied health route (via Access to HE + degree)
Registered nurse (NHS Band 5), paramedic, physiotherapist
£32,073 to £39,043 (NHS Band 5) ↗
Health and social care career progression and UK salary bands
NHS Agenda for Change bands apply to NHS employers; independent and private sector care salaries vary by region and provider. The national framework behind these steps is set out in our Care Workforce Pathway qualifications map.
Role
Qualification route
UK salary range
Clinical Support Worker, NHS Band 3
Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care or equivalent
£25,760 to £27,476 (NHS Employers pay scales 2026/27)
Senior Care Worker or Lead Practitioner
Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
About £26,000 full time (median £13.33 an hour) (Skills for Care, Pay in the adult social care sector, December 2025)
Registered Manager
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
Access to HE plus BSc Nursing route from a health and social care background
£32,073 to £39,043 (NHS Employers pay scales 2026/27)
Cost, funding and entry
Cost, funding and entry requirements for health and social care qualifications
The Care Certificate at Lift College is £19.99, pay once, and the adult care diplomas cost from £69.99 a month when you pay today on a cancel-anytime subscription, or start with a 7-day free trial. Elsewhere, RQF diplomas in adult care are usually priced per level, with Level 3 typically costing more than the Care Certificate.
Lift College offers a monthly subscription with no fixed contract across its regulated diploma range.
Funding
Many employers in the care sector fund or part fund staff qualifications directly, since holding approved qualifications supports CQC compliance. Ask your employer about funded routes before paying independently, and check current Skills for Care workforce development fund guidance for eligibility.
Entry requirements
Level 3 and above diplomas require you to be working or on a placement in a real adult care setting, since competency units are assessed through direct observation by a qualified assessor. Purely theoretical online study without a workplace component does not meet the qualification standard at these levels.
Learner reviews
What our learners say
Six of our latest reviews, as posted on Trustpilot.
I have enrolled on this on line course and the support/response to queries that I have received to date have been timely and effective. The college also provides a learning plan to comlete the course and mock exams, together with helpful reminders of allocated study days (you self select them and they send you a reminder to keep you on track). The modules are clear and easy to understand and a broken down into sections including question and answer sections and model answers and where applicable worked out calculations. There is a need to take notes from the online materials as there are no PDF work books to download. The assigments are completed in a text box and marked accordingly and saved into your records. Once you get used to using the learning portal (which is not too difficult) it is a fairly straightforward learning process. It is worth paying the money for this course and the level of support provided by the college.
I have been studying with Lift College for the past month, and so far, my experience has been positive. The team provides excellent support, and assignments are marked with helpful feedback, usually within three working days. This quick turnaround is particularly valuable as it helps me manage my studies alongside my workplace commitments.
I recently started the CMI Level 5 course through Lift College. I was attracted to this provider due to the clean and modern design of their website. I asked the support staff a few questions before enrolling, and their responses were fast and informative.
When I started the course, I was impressed by how well organised the material was and how the lessons were structured. I have taken many online courses before, including postgraduate courses from UK universities. What I expected was a few videos made using a webcam, plus several dozen PDF files that had to be read. However, the materials provided by Lift College are of excellent quality, well designed, and purpose-made.
As a teacher myself with 20 years' experience, I recognised clear and deliberate efforts to help students learn more effectively. Lift College isn't just giving you a load of reading material and letting you get on with it. They have designed prompts, revision boxes, spot quizzes, and other features to ensure that learning is actively facilitated.
Excellent customer service and the enrolment process was very smooth. Started my course three weeks ago and I’m loving it.
G
George B.Lift College learner · 6 Nov 2026
“
5 out of 5 · Verified
Lift College is very flexible
Lift College is very flexible, allowing me to study GCSE Biology while working full time. The course is straightforward and include helpful tips for passing the exams.
L
LalaineGCSE Biology · 2 Nov 2026
“
5 out of 5
I have just enrolled with Lift College
I have just enrolled with Lift College today on a free trial. So far so good, I have accessed my course (GCSE Maths) on my platform and everything looks great. Also met my tutor who is very friendly and helpful too. Will update the reviews when I am further down the line.
An RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) diploma in health and social care is an Ofqual-regulated, work-based qualification assessed through your real care setting. The RQF replaced the legacy NVQ and QCF frameworks; qualifications awarded today by bodies such as NCFE CACHE, Highfield, and City & Guilds are all RQF-regulated diplomas. They are fully recognised by the CQC, Skills for Care, and employers across the sector.
Can I complete a Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care online?
Yes, the theory and knowledge units can be completed online through a digital learning platform. However, the competency units at level 3 and above require workplace observations by a qualified assessor, so you need to be working (or on placement) in a regulated adult care setting. Purely online study without a workplace component does not meet the qualification standards.
How long does the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care take to complete?
Most learners working full time in care complete the level 3 diploma in 12 to 18 months. Part-time or slower study can extend this to two years. Pace depends on how quickly your assessor can schedule workplace observations and how fast you work through the knowledge units in the online portal.
Are online health and social care qualifications recognised by the CQC?
Yes, provided the qualification is quality-assured by Ofqual and awarded by an approved body such as NCFE CACHE, Highfield, or City & Guilds. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects whether staff hold appropriate qualifications, an Ofqual-regulated RQF diploma achieved online is treated identically to one completed in a classroom setting.
What is the difference between Level 3 and Level 5 in health and social care?
The Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care is designed for experienced frontline care workers moving into senior care worker or lead practitioner roles. The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care is the qualification required for registered managers of CQC-regulated care services. Level 3 covers care planning, risk assessment, and person-centred practice; level 5 covers governance, workforce management, quality assurance, and leadership. Lift College’s entry point is Level 3.
What is the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care?
The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care is the RQF-regulated qualification required to become a registered manager of a CQC-regulated care service. It covers resource management, quality assurance, safeguarding leadership, and governance. Skills for Care includes it on the approved qualifications register for registered managers in England.
What qualifications do you need to study health and social care?
None to start. The Care Certificate and Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care have no formal entry requirements beyond working or volunteering in an adult care setting, and Level 2 English and maths are recommended. The Level 5 Diploma expects a Level 3 (or equivalent experience) and a supervisory or management role.
What jobs can I get with a health and social care course?
Care worker and senior care worker (Care Certificate, Level 3), team leader or lead practitioner (Level 3), deputy manager and CQC registered manager (Level 5). Skills for Care's December 2025 data puts senior care workers at a median £13.33 an hour. ONS ASHE (Table 14, SOC 1232) puts full-time registered managers at around £42,700 a year.
Are there free or funded health and social care courses?
Employer-funded is the usual route: adult social care employers in England can reclaim Level 3 and Level 5 diploma costs through Skills for Care's funding programme (check the current scheme). Lift College's adult care diplomas have no upfront fee: a monthly plan you can pay today or with a 7-day free trial, and many employers pay the subscription for staff being promoted. The Care Certificate is £19.99, pay once.
How long does a health and social care course take?
The Care Certificate takes 6 to 12 weeks alongside work. The Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care typically takes 12 to 18 months and the Level 5 Diploma 18 to 24 months; both are self-paced with no fixed term, so pace depends on how quickly workplace observations can be scheduled.
Is there funding for adult care qualifications?
Most learners do not pay themselves. Employers usually sponsor the Level 3 and Level 5 diplomas and can claim a contribution back through Skills for Care's Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS); both diplomas also sit inside levy-funded apprenticeships. Self-funding is £69.99 or £79.99 a month when you pay today, or £79.99 or £89.99 a month after a 7-day free trial. See our funding guide for every route.
What is the Care Certificate UK and is it a qualification?
The Care Certificate is a set of 16 nationally agreed standards that all new care workers in England should complete during their induction, covering topics such as safeguarding, communication and health and safety. It is not a regulated RQF qualification in the same way as a diploma, but it is a mandatory expectation for new starters under CQC guidance.
Is an NVQ Level 3 in health and social care still available?
NVQs were replaced by the Qualifications and Credit Framework and then the current Regulated Qualifications Framework, so new learners now complete an RQF Diploma in Adult Care rather than an NVQ. Many employers still refer informally to "NVQ Level 3" when they mean the equivalent modern RQF diploma.
What qualifications do I need to become a registered care manager?
The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care is the qualification recognised by Skills for Care and the CQC for registered managers of adult social care services. Most managers hold a Level 3 diploma and relevant senior experience before progressing to Level 5.
How much does a Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care cost?
Pricing varies by awarding body and provider, and typically reflects the assessor visits needed to observe your competency units in the workplace. Ask providers for a full breakdown of tuition, assessment and any registration fees charged by the awarding body before enrolling.
Do I need to be working in care to study with Lift College?
For the Level 3 and Level 5 diplomas, yes: both are assessed from your own practice, so you must be working or volunteering in an adult care setting in England. The Care Certificate course can be taken before you start a job, with your employer signing off your practice once you are in post.
Are Lift College's care qualifications recognised?
The Level 3 and Level 5 diplomas are awarded by TQUK and regulated by Ofqual; their qualification numbers are 610/6988/7 and 610/7004/X. The Care Certificate course is a CPD course with a certificate issued by Lift College, covering the 16 Skills for Care standards.
Are there any exams?
No. Both diplomas are assessed by portfolio of evidence, observation of your practice and professional discussion, graded pass only.
How does the 7-day free trial work?
You start the diploma today and nothing is charged until day 8. There is no contract and no credit check, you can cancel any time from your account, and every payment has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Which qualification does a care home manager need?
CQC expects registered managers to hold the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care. You need a leadership role in a care service to take it.
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