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Guidance

Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care qualification

Learn about who is eligible to apply and the benefits the qualification offers for adult social care providers.

Overview

The Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care was designed for people working in adult social care, to help care professionals use and benefit from digital technologies in their day-to-day work supporting the provision of high-quality care.

This qualification provides learners with a formal accreditation and the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the use of technology and data in adult social care.

There’s a particular focus on implementing technology in adult social care, and using technology to lead change and improvement within a care setting.   

The qualification aligns with the Digital Skills Framework. It includes 3 mandatory units of learning:  

  • the use of technology and data in adult social care 
  • implementing technology in adult social care and leading change 
  • learning and improvement in adult social care 

The qualification is voluntary. It will take a maximum of 120 hours to complete. 

Eligibility 

The qualification is particularly relevant for leaders who are responsible for the day-to-day management and delivery of adult social care services. For example, managers and supervisors in care providers and senior practitioners in social care. 

Qualification benefits

As a result of completing the level 5 award, adult social care leaders and managers will have greater confidence and be able to:

  • lead the use of technology in the delivery of care
  • improve the quality of life and outcomes for people who draw on care and support 

After completing the qualification a care leader may choose, for example, to implement care technologies that can prevent over 50% of falls. This would reduce ambulance call-outs and subsequent hospital admissions for those receiving care.

Or a care leader may choose to implement digital social care records that are proven to release at least 20 minutes for each care worker on every shift. This would give staff more time to interact with those receiving care.   

The award will also enable leaders to:

  • drive digitisation within their organisation
  • lead and support their wider workforce to develop skills and confidence with technology
  • lead a positive culture of learning and the continuous improvement of care services

Funding and how to access it 

Funding to complete the qualification is available through the Learning and Development Support Scheme.

Updates to this page

Published 29 September 2026

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