Qualification Structure

The ABMA Education Level 6 Diploma in Community Development (RQF) is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 1200 hours and 480 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), with 120 credits.

Assessment for the ABMA Education Level 6 Diploma in Community Development (RQF) is assignment-based. Learner work is assessed in accordance with ABMA Education assessment and quality assurance requirements to ensure that learners demonstrate the required knowledge, understanding and application of community development principles and practices.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all five mandatory units.

Core Study Units

Unit 1: Critical Engagement with Social Policy

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the key relationships and influences on policy in developed and developing countries
• Understand the factors which inform the development of policy initiatives
• Understand comparative policies on welfare in context
• Understand different forms of networks and movements within international community development

Unit 2: Leadership and Management in Community Development

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand leadership and management skills and responsibilities
• Understand the process of building and leading community teams
• Understand leading across borders and cultures
• Understand potential causes of conflict, implications and conflict resolution styles

Unit 3: Social Inequality, Change and Transformation

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand social inequalities and the ways in which they impact society
• Understand different models of social change in context
• Understand the significance of capacity building and sustainability in communities
• Understand strategies for promoting change and transformation in communities

Unit 4: Reflective Practice

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the nature of reflective practice
• Understand the importance of reflective practice within continued professional development
• Understand different methods which support reflective practice
• Understand the cultural contexts of community development that influence professional practice

Unit 5: Project Management

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the aspects of managing a community based project
• Understand teamwork and the essential role it plays in achieving project goals
• Understand project changes, challenges and conflict management within community-based projects
• Understand a project managers' knowledge, skills and behavioural requirements

Who Is This Qualification For?

The ABMA Education Level 6 Diploma in Community Development (RQF) is designed for learners who want to develop advanced knowledge and applied skills in community development, social policy, leadership, social inequality, reflective practice and project management. The qualification has a strategic focus, with learners expected to critically engage with policies, community challenges and approaches to leading and managing community development activities.

This qualification is particularly suitable for:

• Community Development Practitioners: Learners working in community development who want to strengthen their ability to analyse community needs, develop sustainable approaches and contribute to positive community outcomes.
• Community Project Coordinators and Managers: Professionals involved in planning, delivering or managing community-based projects who want to develop higher-level project management and leadership knowledge.
• Community and Voluntary Sector Professionals: Learners working with charities, voluntary organisations, social enterprises or community organisations who require a structured qualification covering policy, inequality, leadership and community transformation.
• Social Policy and Community-Focused Professionals: Learners interested in understanding how social policy, inequality, political influences and social change affect communities and community development practice.
• Existing Managers and Team Leaders: Professionals with responsibility for leading teams, coordinating community initiatives or managing organisational activities who want to develop strategic leadership and management capabilities.
• Learners Seeking a Career Change: Individuals moving towards community development, community engagement, social enterprise or related community-focused roles can use the qualification to develop relevant academic and vocational knowledge.
• Learners Progressing from Community Development Qualifications: The Level 6 Diploma is appropriate for learners progressing from Level 5 Community Development study or equivalent learning and experience, building towards more critical and strategic areas of the subject.
• International Learners: Learners outside the UK seeking a structured UK-regulated qualification in community development can study areas such as social policy, community leadership, inequality, transformation and project management within an internationally relevant context.

The qualification is especially relevant to learners who want to combine academic understanding with vocational application. ABMA Education states that the Level 6 programme places greater emphasis on policy initiatives, leadership and management in community development and projects, with a strategic focus on developing sustainable communities.

It can therefore suit learners who want to develop the knowledge and capabilities needed to contribute to community development programmes, lead community initiatives, analyse social challenges and manage projects across diverse community settings. The qualification specification also identifies its relevance to learners entering community work, existing employees developing workplace competencies, people returning to employment and individuals seeking a career change.

Career Opportunities

The ABMA Education Level 6 Diploma in Community Development (RQF) provides learners with advanced knowledge of community development, social policy, leadership and project management. The qualification develops understanding of social inequality, social change, reflective practice and community-based projects, helping learners build the analytical, leadership and project management skills required for community development practice. It is suitable for learners in the UK and internationally seeking to develop their knowledge of community development or progress towards related academic and professional pathways.

Future Progression

The ABMA Education Level 6 Diploma in Community Development (RQF) provides learners with a strong foundation for further academic study and professional opportunities in community development and related sectors. The qualification develops knowledge of social policy, leadership and management, social inequality, social change, reflective practice, and project management, providing a broad understanding of community development that can be relevant across community, voluntary, social, public, and development-focused environments.

Academically, learners may progress to higher-level qualifications or other relevant programmes in community development, social policy, leadership and management, project management, social development, and related disciplines, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution. The qualification can also support further study in areas such as community development, social policy, social sciences, leadership, management, and related fields.

Professionally, this diploma can support progression towards roles such as Community Development Officer, Community Development Manager, Community Engagement Officer, Community Project Manager, Community Outreach Coordinator, Social Development Officer, Voluntary Sector Manager, Community Services Coordinator, and Community Project Coordinator, depending on the learner’s experience and employer requirements. The knowledge developed through the qualification provides a foundation for understanding social policy, analysing community needs, addressing inequality, supporting social change, leading community initiatives, and managing community-based projects.