Leadership for Health and Social Care Services - Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) (Subject to DfE Approval)

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Part-time
Start date: 15th September 2025
End date: 1st June 2027
Day: Mon
Time: 09:00-17:00

Course fee: FREE

Course Content

The qualification consists of a blend of mandatory and optional units, allowing learners to tailor their study to meet their specific leadership role and service requirements.

Learners will cover the following key areas

Mandatory Units

• Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care Settings
• Safeguarding and Protection
• Professional Practice and Development
• Health and Safety in the Workplace
• Governance and Regulatory Compliance
• Leading Person-Centred Practice

Optional Units

• Quality in Health and Social Care Services
• Leading Change and Innovation in Care Services
• Managing Recruitment and Selection in Health and Social Care
• Partnership Working in Health and Social Care
• Managing Safeguarding Investigations
• Managing Complaints and Incidents

Course Aims

The OCN NI Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Health and Social Care (Adult Management/Adult Residential Care) is an exciting and progressive qualification designed for those currently working in leadership or management roles within the health and social care sector.

This Diploma provides a comprehensive range of learning opportunities to strengthen leadership and management skills, enhance professional knowledge, and support career progression. Learners will explore leadership theories, apply key policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks, and develop best practice approaches for managing within care settings.

The programme combines mandatory and optional units, allowing learners to tailor their qualification to suit their individual career needs and the specific requirements of their organisation.

This qualification is a mandatory requirement under the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) guidelines and is compulsory for all managers and deputy managers operating within the health and social care sector in Northern Ireland.

Students will benefit from personalised, one-to-one peripatetic assessment support, over the duration of the course to ensure competency and practical application of knowledge.

The Diploma carries a total of 90 credits and offers a strong platform for career advancement and leadership excellence in health and social care.

Special Features

This qualification is a compulsory requirement under Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) standards for all managers and deputy managers within adult health and social care settings in Northern Ireland.

To be eligible for the Higher-Level Apprenticeship (HLA) programme applicants must meet the following criteria,

• Aged 19 or over on 1 July in year of entry.
• Employed or about to be in paid employment in a management or leadership role within adult health and social care in Northern Ireland.
• Working a minimum of 21 hours per week (including off-the-job training).
• Hold a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
• Hold GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C or above (or equivalent).
• Able to demonstrate workplace competencies relevant to a leadership role.
• Commitment to attending college one day per week.
• Employer support required
• Successful completion of a pre-course information session.
• Completion of an enhanced AccessNI check.

Where students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director or Admissions. APEL applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date of the programme. More details can be found in the APEL Policy.

Successful completion of the Diploma significantly enhances career prospects, supporting progression into senior management roles within the health and social care sector or onto further higher-level study.

Professional/Recognition, the Diploma is widely recognised across the health and social care sector in Northern Ireland, offering a prestigious qualification that meets sector-specific leadership and management standards