Level 4 Apprenticeship – Lead Practitioner in Adult Care
The Lead Practitioner in Adult Care will guide and inspire team members to make positive differences to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional, psychological or intellectual challenges.
Course Summary

Course Information for Students
Who is this course for?
The Lead Practitioner in Adult Care will guide and inspire team members to make positive differences to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional, psychological or intellectual challenges.
They will have achieved a level of self-development to be recognised as a lead practitioner within the care team – contributing to, promoting and sustaining a values-based culture at an operational level.
A Lead Practitioner has a greater depth of knowledge and expertise in particular conditions being experienced by the user of services. They will have specialist skills and knowledge in their area of responsibilities which will allow them to lead in areas such as care needs assessment, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and enablement, telecare and assistive technology. They will be a coach and mentor to others and will have a role in assessing performance and quality of care delivery.
Lead Practitioners in Adult Care may work in residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care, day centres, a person’s own home or some clinical healthcare settings.
As well as covering Lead Practitioners in Adult Care, this apprenticeship standard also covers Lead Personal Assistants who can work at this senior level but who may only work directly for one individual who needs support and/or care services, usually within their own home.
The apprenticeship involves 20% off-the-job training, Level 2 Maths and English, and an end-point assessment.
Entry Requirements
The apprenticeship is available for current and aspiring Lead Practitioners in Adult Care who are employed in residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care, day centres, a person’s own home or some clinical healthcare settings. As well as covering Lead Practitioners in Adult Care, this apprenticeship standard also covers Lead Personal Assistants who can work at this senior level but who may only work directly for one individual who needs support and/or care services, usually within their own home.
The apprentice should be aged over 18 and should have a good level of English and Maths.
What will you learn?
The apprenticeship involves:
* A Diploma
* Level 2 Maths and English
* An end-point assessment
How will you learn?
The apprenticeship will be delivered in the workplace and on-site.
What will you need to bring with you?
£350 for the employer to pay 5% of the costs
How will you be assessed?
- Observations
- Products of work
- Professional discussions
- Assignments
- Questions
Where next?
You can advance to a Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management.
Who do you contact for more information?
For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk
Is there any financial support available?
Course Information for Employers
Apprenticeship summary
The Lead Practitioner in Adult Care will guide and inspire team members to make positive differences to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional, psychological or intellectual challenges. They will have achieved a level of self-development to be recognised as a lead practitioner within the care team, contributing to, promoting and sustaining a values-based culture at an operational level.
A Lead Practitioner has a greater depth of knowledge and expertise in particular conditions being experienced by the user of services. They will have specialist skills and knowledge in their area of responsibilities which will allow them to lead in areas such as care needs assessment, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and enablement, telecare and assistive technology. They will be a coach and mentor to others and will have a role in assessing performance and quality of care delivery.
Lead Practitioners in Adult Care may work in residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care, day centres, a person’s own home or some clinical healthcare settings. As well as covering Lead Practitioners in Adult Care, this apprenticeship standard also covers Lead Personal Assistants who can work at this senior level but who may only work directly for one individual who needs support and/or care services, usually within their own home.
The apprenticeship involves 20% off-the-job training, a Diploma, Level 2 Maths and English, and an end-point assessment.
Are they any entry requirements for my apprentice?
The apprentice should be:
- Employed for more than 30 hours a week with a contract
- Working in a supervisory role
- Aged over 18
What is required from the employer in the workplace?
- Time to complete the course – 20% off-the-job training
- Paid time to attend College for Functional Skills
- Training
- Support
Behaviours expected within the role
- Professional attitude
- Good time management
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good level of English and Maths
- A commitment to completing the course and pursuing a career in management within the care sector
What qualification will my apprentice gain?
- Diploma at Level 4
- Level 2 Maths and English
- End-point assessment (external exams)
What will the assessment look like?
- Observations
- Products of work
- Professional discussions
- Assignments
- Questions
Will my apprentice need to come into college?
Yes – if they need to complete their Functional Skills. This could be on a once-a-week or block-week basis.
Is there any specialist equipment required?
They need a laptop for access to their e-portfolio.
What progression can my apprentice expect after completion of their apprenticeship?
They could advance to a Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification.
What job roles will this apprenticeship be suitable for?
Examples of job roles include Dementia Lead, Re-ablement Worker, Physiotherapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Public Health Associate Worker, Keeping in Contact Worker, Community Care/Support Officer, Social Care Assessor, Care Assessment Officer, Social Services Officer, Brokerage Worker, Rehabilitation and Reablement Assistant, Independence Support Assistant, Reablement Support Worker/Officer, Telecare Assistant and Assistive Technology Co-ordinator/Officer.
Will the college help me find an apprentice?
You may already have someone in your organisation or someone has come to you direct asking for an apprenticeship, but if you don’t we have a free recruitment service to help you hire the best candidate for your organisation from our talent pool and external advertising through social media and the national apprenticeship services website
Contact us
If you are an employer and you would like to know more, please email businessenquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or call 01332 387421
Career Information
This course could lead to one of these careers...
Senior Care Workers
£18156
Youth and Community Workers
£23112
Occupational Therapists
£27237
Social Workers
£33349
Child and Early Years Officers
£24135
Welfare Professionals n.e.c.
£33583
DCG Success Stories
Discover how our students have achieved success. Their hard work and dedication to learning has enabled them to succeed in rewarding careers or progress onto higher education.

We encourage progress and aspirational outcomes by guiding people onto learning pathways that lead to positive destinations. Our students have gone on to achieve great things since leaving the College. We would like to share some of their inspiring success stories with you.
Course Information Last Updated On: November 4, 2021 11:02 am