L2 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship Standard
The right values first. The skills are teachable.
An apprenticeship is a real, paid job. The apprentice works for an employer and trains with us at the same time, and comes out with a nationally recognised qualification and the experience to go with it.
The short answer
What an apprentice needs
Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprentices. This is an academic and competency based qualification; good study skills are required along with the ability to work on projects.
The employer sets the real bar, so treat this as a guide. If somebody is close but not quite there, it is still worth the conversation.
What they’ll learn
Frontline care for adults facing physical, practical, social, emotional or intellectual challenges. Covers Adult Care Workers and Personal Assistants.
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They will support people to live independently and safely
Helping adults with care and support needs achieve their personal goals, with as much independence and safety as the situation allows.
Covers personal goals, independence, safety, care and support needs
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They will put control and choice back with the person
Person-centred care means the person keeps control and choice in their own life. That is the heart of the standard rather than a phrase at the top of it.
Covers person-centred care, control and choice, dignity
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They will work wherever the care is delivered
Residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care, day centres, a person's own home, and some clinical healthcare settings.
Covers residential and nursing homes, domiciliary care, day centres, home care, clinical settings
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They will develop the values as well as the competences
The standard is explicit that the right values and behaviours come first, and that competence and skill are built on top of them.
Covers values and behaviours, compassionate care, developing competence
Nobody springs anything on anyone
Every apprenticeship ends with an independent assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours learned on the programme, carried out by an organisation with no connection to us or to the employer. Everything before it exists to get the apprentice ready for it.
Coursework and portfolio
Work launched in class and completed in the job, building the evidence the assessor will look at.
A review with you
The employer, the apprentice and the tutor. Half an hour. Progress, targets, and anything getting in the way.
A full mock
Marked by a tutor who is not theirs, so the feedback is honest and the real thing holds no surprises.
What it takes, on both sides
If you're the employer
- A real role that covers the standard. Your Employer Relationship Officer will check it before anyone enrols.
- Time released for teaching, on a timetable you'll have from day one.
- Half an hour every 8 to 10 weeks for a three-way review.
- Your say-so when the apprentice is ready for their final assessment.
If you want to be the apprentice
- A job. An apprenticeship is employment, so you need an employer before you can start.
- Already working in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.
- An initial skills scan with us, so we know where you're starting from.
- No employer yet? That's the usual starting point, and finding one is the part we help with.
This is a step, not a destination
Most of our apprentices carry on, usually with the same employer and usually into a wider role. Which route is right depends on the job being done, so it is worth a conversation rather than a guess.
Not sure what comes after this one? Tell us the role and we'll tell you honestly which of our apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships or university-level courses fits next.
Where this course can take you
- Before you start
- This course Level 2
- Further study
Check you have what you need in the entry requirements.
Not sure? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.
- Level 3 L3 Lead Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship Standard At this college
- Level 3 L3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard At this college
- Level 3 Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship Standard At North Lindsey College
See all 8 courses
At this college
Careers it can lead to
- Care Workers and Home Carers £13.39 an hour
- Senior Care Workers £26,800 a year
- Houseparents and Residential Wardens £25,800 a year
- Early Education and Childcare Assistants £13.30 an hour
See all 10 careers
- Ambulance Staff (Excluding Paramedics) £27,800 a year
- Childminders £12.72 an hour
With further study or experience
- Residential, Day and Domiciliary Care Managers and Proprietors £42,000 a year
- Welfare and Housing Associate Professionals £25,100 a year
- Social Workers £38,200 a year
- Social Services Managers and Directors £33,800 a year
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
How to start this apprenticeship
It takes two, an employer and an apprentice. Pick your side.
Put someone on this programme
Recruiting, or formalising the training of someone already in post? Start with a conversation. We'll check the role, sort the funding, and get them enrolled.
Speak to us today 0800 358 7979
Or advertise a vacancy through us and we'll handle the recruitment.
You'll need an employer first
An apprenticeship is a job, so an employer has to take you on before you can start. Already employed in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.
No vacancy that suits? Register your interest and we'll tell you when one comes up.