Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care

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The Highfield Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care has been designed for managers and leaders who want to confidently lead their organisation through the digital transformation of care services.

As adult social care continues its journey towards greater digitisation, effective digital leadership is becoming a core management skill. This qualification will help leaders understand not only the technology itself, but how to use it to improve care quality, strengthen organisational performance and create better outcomes for the people they support.

Great news! LDSS funding has returned for 2026/27, including the Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care!

CQC has made it clear that digital systems play an important role in supporting high-quality care.

Across England, the Government, NHS England and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are driving a major programme of digital reform within adult social care. Digital social care records are recognised as best practice, helping providers improve governance, enhance information sharing, reduce administrative burden and respond more effectively to people’s changing needs. Services that continue to rely heavily on paper-based systems may find it increasingly difficult to demonstrate that they are delivering safe, effective and well-led care. Digital care records, electronic medication systems, data sharing, cyber security and the use of technology to improve outcomes are no longer viewed as optional extras – they are increasingly recognised as essential components of safe, effective and well-led care.

Who is the Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care for?

Who is this suitable for?

The course is particularly valuable for:

Nominated individuals
Registered Managers
Care Managers which are not registered
Deputy Managers
Assistant Managers
Operational Managers
Local authority commissioners
Digital roles with Integrated Care Systems (ICSs)
Housing and volunatary services
Senior leaders who are responsible for ensuring their service remains compliant, efficient and fit for the future.

Qualification Information

Assessment method

Portfolio of evidence

Credit value

Guided learning hours (GLH)

100

Learning aim reference

61052760

Qualification number

610/5276/0

Total qualification time (TQT)

120

Payment terms for LDSS-funded qualifications and programme

The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) provides financial support for vocational learning and continuing professional development (CPD) of staff in the adult social care sector. It is offered by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and helps cover the costs of various adult social care qualifications, learning programs and digital learning modules.

What does the Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care cover?

This qualification explores the knowledge and skills required to lead digital change successfully. Learners will develop an understanding of digital strategy, data management, information governance, cyber security, digital culture and the leadership approaches needed to engage and support teams through change.

There are 3 units:

The use of technology and data in adult social care
Implementing technology in adult social care
Leading change, learning and improvement in adult social care

Why learn with Coleman Training?

At Coleman Training, we understand adult social care because it is all we do. Our team has extensive experience of supporting Registered Managers, Deputy Managers and care professionals to develop the knowledge and skills they need to lead high-quality services.

We know that digital transformation can feel daunting, particularly for busy managers who are already balancing competing priorities. In fact, both our lead assessor for this subject and our Internal Quality Assurer have gone through this process themselves as registered managers. That’s why we focus on practical learning that helps you understand not just the technology itself, but how to use it to improve outcomes for the people you support, strengthen governance and create more efficient ways of working.

Our experienced assessors and tutors will support you throughout your learning journey, helping you apply your new knowledge directly within your own service. Rather than creating unnecessary paperwork, we encourage learners to use real workplace projects and activities as evidence wherever possible, ensuring that the qualification delivers genuine value to both the learner and their organisation.

As a recognised leader in adult social care learning and development, Coleman Training is trusted by care providers across England to deliver qualifications that are flexible, supportive and relevant to the challenges facing the sector today. We don’t simply help learners achieve qualifications – we help care services build the confidence, capability and leadership skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing digital world.

a man studying with laptop - level 2 adult social care certificate

Study Skills Workshop

Many of us may not have studied for a qualification for many years, and the thought of doing a qualification can, understandably, be daunting. Our FREE course demystifies academic language by explaining the meaning of different "command verbs", reassures about the wide variety of assessment methods we use, so writing reams is not required (unless you enjoy writing!) and describes what can be used as "prior learning", so you don't have to repeat recent work.

We discuss the use of AI in your qualification, and answer any concerns you may have - no matter how trivial they seem. This course is available as a video, to watch when it suits you, or as a workshop where you can engage with others and realise that you aren't alone!

mother working from home doing the level 2 adult social care certificate

Flexible learning

Designed for busy professionals, this qualification can be completed at a pace that suits the learner and their organisation. With personalised assessor support and the opportunity to use evidence from everyday workplace activities, learners can achieve their qualification in a way that is practical, flexible and relevant to their role.

Flexible Assessments

We recognise that people demonstrate their knowledge and skills in different ways. Our flexible assessment approach allows learners to use a range of evidence from their day-to-day role, including workplace projects, professional discussions and naturally occurring evidence, reducing unnecessary paperwork while ensuring a robust and meaningful assessment experience.

Funding for the Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care

This qualification is funded by the Learning and Development Support Scheme for the adult social care workforce.

Here is the detailed information on how to reclaim the cost of the Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care

Rest assured, we will be with you every step of your journey and will celebrate your success with you as you complete your qualification!

What Our Clients Say Testimonials

PROVIDER

I submitted my first 2 claims through the LDSS last week and found the process much smoother than I initially thought it would be. Once I was told the qualification number (which is required), the rest of the process was very easy to follow. I uploaded both a copy of the invoice, and the receipt and both claims were accepted first time round. I was informed they were accepted on the same day as submission so a very quick turnaround.
Mel Macaulay

PROVIDER

Our experience with the new Learning & Development Support Scheme has been really positive. We have found the new system to be very straight forward, easy to use and have already received the 60% funding for each submitted application. The new service also enables providers to more easily obtain funding for qualifications to support their employee's progression, learning and development.
Joseph Taylor