Access Skills

Access Skills: CQC-compliant care qualifications across the UK

Access Skills is a training provider specialising in health and social care qualifications for individuals and employers throughout England. Its catalogue spans adult care and children and young people’s services, from the Care Certificate up to Level 5 diplomas, with flexible, tutor-led online learning designed to support compliance with CQC expectations and help care providers build confident teams.

The provider states that it is the official training partner of the National Care Association and reports strong partnerships across the adult social care sector. It also cites more than 12,000 learners supported nationwide and holds Matrix accreditation.

Qualifications from Level 2 to Level 5

The qualification offer covers a progressive route through adult care and residential childcare. The main diplomas listed are:

• Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate
• Level 2 Diploma in Adult Care
• Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
• Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare

Some courses are aimed at specific roles. The Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care is presented for senior carers and carers in a supervisory position, with a course length of 9–12 months. The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care is aimed at registered care managers and deputy care managers, also over 9–12 months. The Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare follows the same duration and is likewise directed at senior carers and supervisory staff.

Funding is a recurring element of the offer: government-funded options are available from Level 2 to Level 5, and the provider mentions payment plans, Government Funded Loans and support from LDSS Funding for some diplomas.

Leadership, management and apprenticeships

Beyond care diplomas, Access Skills lists Chartered Management Institute (CMI) programmes at three levels: CMI Level 3 in First Line Leadership, CMI Level 5 in Operational Management and CMI Level 7 in Strategic Leadership. It also offers apprenticeships at Level 3 Lead in Adult Care Worker and Level 5 Leader in Adult Care.

Short courses and continuing professional development

The care training courses include a Rapid Care Induction, mandatory and CPD training, and Level 3 certificates in understanding mental health, understanding autism, the principles of dementia care and the principles of end of life care. These shorter courses sit alongside the diploma and leadership routes.

How the training is delivered

Access Skills describes a model based on flexible tutor and assessor support, with workplace observation used to confirm the learner’s ability to carry out job-related tasks. Learning activities are tailored to the demands of the individual workplace role. The provider also mentions individual tutorial guidance delivered remotely, a combination of live sessions and recorded workshops, and remote access to tutors and assessors within normal working hours.

Learners receive access to a learning portal to view activities, resources and monitor progression. The provider also refers to industry-relevant resources, including reduced-cost entry to recognised compliance systems and access to QCS’s Management System, which supplies operational policies, procedures and other toolkits.

Learner feedback and recognition

According to the information available when this profile was written, students rate Access Skills 4.8/5 for expert tutors, flexibility and support. The site also publishes individual learner accounts describing guidance during enrolment, tutor responsiveness and the relevance of the learning to real care work. These are individual experiences rather than a general assessment of outcomes.

Enrolment and contact

Access Skills works with both individuals and employers and offers year-round enrolment. Enquiries can be made through the website’s form, which asks about current employment in care, job role, company size, course of interest and preferred contact time.