Qualification Structure

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 2400 hours, 1200 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), and 240 credits.

Assessment for the Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is assignment-based. Learners complete written assessment tasks for each unit, with learner work internally assessed by the approved centre and subject to external quality assurance by QUALIFI to ensure the required assessment and quality standards are maintained.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all 11 mandatory units.

Core Study Units

1. Academic Study Skills

Learners will be able to:

• Demonstrate evidence of personal and academic development.
• Identify relevant sources of evidence to develop reliable academic arguments.
• Interpret qualitative and quantitative data presented in research articles.

2. Communicating in Health and Social Care

Learners will be able to:

• Understand different communication skills and their application in health and social care.
• Understand factors that influence communication in health and social care.
• Discuss the benefits and challenges of information and communication technology (ICT) in health and social care practice.

3. An Introduction to Healthcare Policy

Learners will be able to:

• Understand significant historical and contemporary landmarks in UK healthcare provision.
• Understand theoretical frameworks, concepts and models involved in policy development.
• Understand the impact of previous and current healthcare policy on service-user groups.

4. Reflective Practice

Learners will be able to:

• Understand models of reflection used in health and social care.
• Understand how to plan personal and professional development.
• Produce a personal development plan.
• Understand the relationship between theory and practice and how it can be facilitated.

5. Managing People in Health and Social Care

Learners will be able to:

• Evaluate processes for recruiting individuals to work in health and social care.
• Understand systems for monitoring and promoting team development.
• Analyse change management processes and how to implement change successfully.

6. Sociology: Concepts in Health and Ill Health

Learners will be able to:

• Understand theoretical perspectives behind approaches to health and illness.
• Evaluate different models of healthcare delivery used within health and social care.
• Understand how social inequalities influence individuals' life chances and health status.

7. Principles Underpinning Health and Social Care

Learners will be able to:

• Understand how principles of support are implemented in health and social care practice.
• Evaluate the impact of government policy, legislation, regulation, codes of practice and standards on UK practice.
• Evaluate theories underpinning the delivery of health and social care practice.

8. The Management of Quality in Health and Social Care

Learners will be able to:

• Critically discuss different perspectives of quality in health and social care services.
• Critically analyse strategies for achieving quality in health and social care services.
• Evaluate systems, policies and procedures used to improve quality in health and social care.

9. Research Project

Learners will be able to:

• Formulate a research question.
• Undertake a pilot research project.
• Critically evaluate research outcomes.

10. Partnership Working in Health and Social Care

Learners will be able to:

• Understand philosophies and relationships involved in health and social care partnership working.
• Understand how to promote positive partnership working between service users, professionals and organisations.
• Evaluate the outcomes of partnership working in health and social care.

11. Working with Service Users with Complex Needs

Learners will be able to:

• Analyse different perceptions of health, disability and illness.
• Understand how to promote participation and independence among health and social care service users.
• Evaluate how service design and review can promote and maximise service users' rights.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is designed for learners who want to develop advanced knowledge and professional skills for senior, supervisory, management or further-study pathways within health and social care. The qualification focuses on employability, critical thinking, problem-solving, interdisciplinary working and the ability to respond to changing needs across the health and social care sector.

It is particularly suitable for:

• Health and social care professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and career prospects.
• Care workers and support workers aiming to progress towards supervisory or management responsibilities.
• Aspiring health and social care managers who want to strengthen their leadership, quality management and people-management skills.
• Learners progressing from Level 4 study who want to continue to Level 5 and develop more advanced professional knowledge.
• Individuals seeking career progression within health and social care organisations and associated professions.
• Learners planning to progress to higher education, as the Level 5 Extended Diploma is designed to support progression towards a related undergraduate degree pathway, subject to the requirements of the receiving university.

The qualification is aimed at learners aged 18 or over. The specification envisages Level 5 entrants as normally holding a relevant Level 4 qualification, although approved centres are responsible for assessing an applicant's suitability for the programme.

In short: this qualification is ideal for health and social care professionals and aspiring managers who want to build advanced sector knowledge, strengthen their professional capabilities and progress towards senior employment or further academic study.

Career Opportunities

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care prepares learners for professional, supervisory and management roles. It develops skills in health and social care practice, communication, people management, quality management, partnership working and supporting individuals with complex needs. The qualification is ideal for professionals and aspiring managers seeking career progression or further higher education in health and social care.

Future Progression

The Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care provides learners with a strong foundation for career advancement into professional, supervisory and management roles across the health and social care sector. The qualification supports progression in areas such as healthcare, adult social care, residential care, community services, support services, care management and related organisations, where skilled professionals with strong knowledge of health and social care practice are highly valued.

Academically, learners may progress to relevant higher education qualifications, including a related Bachelor's degree or other advanced study, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution. The qualification also supports continued professional development and further specialist learning in areas such as health and social care management, healthcare practice, quality management, leadership, social care and service-user support.

Professionally, this diploma can enhance opportunities to progress into roles such as Health and Social Care Manager, Care Manager, Care Service Supervisor, Health and Social Care Team Leader, Community Support Manager, Residential Care Manager, Quality Assurance Coordinator and Social Care Coordinator. The knowledge and skills developed through the qualification enable learners to contribute to effective service delivery, promote person-centred care, support service users with complex needs, manage teams and contribute to quality improvement across health and social care settings.