Marvin OnumonuThe Northern Council for Further Education (NCFE) has launched three new social care qualifications after getting approval in the recent Department for Education (DfE) submission cycle.
The awarding body said these will create more ways into the workforce at a time when recruitment is under pressure.
The new qualifications include two adult care diplomas, one aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds and another for people aged 19 and over, and a diploma in youth work.
The Level 3 technical occupational qualifications have been approved for public funding from 1st August 2026.
David Rowley, product manager for technical education at NCFE, said: “In Skills England’s recent publication of the Assessment of priority skills to 2030, adult social care is highlighted as containing some of the most in-demand priority occupations, so we’re delighted to have three qualifications approved and two specifically related to adult care.
“Social care is the sector whose need for Level 2 and 3 qualifications is the highest.
“We are very proud that we are the only awarding body who have had any technical qualifications approved in adult social care through the reforms and are committed to further supporting and standing by this essential sector.”
The NCFE CACHE Level 3 technical occupational entry in social care is equivalent to three A Levels.
It is aimed at 16- to 19-year-old study programmes as a parallel to the health T Level and can also lead to degree courses.
The NCFE CACHE Level 3 technical occupational entry in adult care is a workplace diploma for adult learners or apprentices, designed to get people to occupational competence as a lead adult care worker.
The NCFE CACHE Level 3 technical occupational entry in youth support work was written with the National Youth Agency.
It offers a route to become a youth support worker and can lead to a full youth work degree.
NCFE previously identified a need for clear routes into the social care workforce in its Sector Spotlight report last year, warning about the risks of fewer entry points.
It also called for action to make sure people wanting a career in social care can find the right course, including funded and specific qualifications.
Rowley added: “There was a real concern that following the outcome of the Level 3 review, students could be left without viable options to pursue a vocational course in social care through a classroom-based route, which would have further exacerbated the ongoing recruitment crisis.
“Thankfully, after consulting with the sector, we’re delighted to have created these pathways and had them approved, as it means we can begin to address the existing and future recruitment challenges that social care faces.”
