Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker – Supported Living Apprenticeship

It’s an 18-month, fully funded programme designed to develop confident leaders in supported living care. Learners build skills in person-centred practice, safeguarding, communication, health and safety, and mental health, while developing leadership behaviours. The apprenticeship combines on-the-job experience with structured learning, ending in an independent End Point Assessment (EPA). Employers gain staff who are nationally qualified, able to guide teams, and equipped to raise standards of care across supported living environments.

Learners must have lived in the UK, EEA or EU for the past three years and be able to complete the full programme within their role. Those aged 16–18 without Level 2 Maths and English will complete these alongside the apprenticeship. For learners aged 19+, Functional Skills can be agreed with the employer. Most importantly, this apprenticeship suits those already in, or preparing for, leadership roles within supported living. Check out our Knowledge Hub and learn more about our entry requirements. 

The Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker – Supported Living Apprenticeship typically takes 18 months. During this time, learners combine real-world supported living experience with structured learning and portfolio building. Off-the-job training is included but designed to fit around normal duties. Learners finish with an independent End Point Assessment (EPA) to confirm nationally recognised skills. Employers benefit from staff who grow in confidence and capability while continuing to contribute to supported living services.

Delivery is blended, combining online learning, workplace practice and structured development sessions. Learners immediately apply new knowledge within supported living environments, ensuring practical impact from day one. Off-the-job training is integrated into normal duties, so there’s no need for staff to step away from their roles. For employers, this means learners develop leadership skills, safeguarding expertise and person-centred practice while continuing to provide high-quality care in supported living.

The EPA is the independent final assessment that confirms a learner’s competence. For the Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker – Supported Living Apprenticeship, this usually involves a presentation with questioning, a professional discussion supported by a portfolio, and sometimes a practical or scenario-based assessment. The independence of the EPA is a strength, ensuring the qualification is credible, rigorous and nationally recognised. Successful completion demonstrates a learner’s readiness to lead effectively in supported living.

The Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker – Supported Living Apprenticeship is ideal for those in senior or supervisory positions such as care officers, senior care workers, support supervisors and team leaders. It’s also a natural progression for staff moving up from a Level 2 qualification. Employers benefit from learners who return with improved leadership confidence, safeguarding knowledge and communication skills, helping to raise the quality of person-centred care across supported living services.

This apprenticeship is fully funded, so employers don’t pay tuition fees. Funding comes through the Apprenticeship Levy or government support for smaller organisations. That makes the Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker – Supported Living Apprenticeship a cost-effective way to strengthen your workforce, raise care standards and invest in long-term talent development. Employers simply need to support learners with time for off-the-job training, which ultimately benefits both the individual and the service.

Off-the-job training makes up around 20% of the apprenticeship but doesn’t mean learners leave their role. Activities include attending team meetings, shadowing colleagues, reflective practice or undertaking research. These are all integrated into day-to-day supported living duties. For employers, this approach ensures learners are always building new skills and applying them directly to improve service quality, independence promotion, and the overall safety and effectiveness of supported living care.

On completion, learners achieve a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification, opening progression routes into higher-level apprenticeships. Options include the Level 5 Leader in Adult Care, or degree apprenticeships in fields such as occupational therapy or speech and language therapy. For employers, the Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker – Supported Living Apprenticeship creates a structured career pathway that supports staff retention, motivation, and long-term excellence in supported living services.

Learners receive tailored training and guidance throughout the apprenticeship, supported by tend Development Coaches. Employers are kept informed through regular progress reviews and updates, ensuring the programme aligns with organisational goals. This structured support helps learners succeed while giving employers confidence that their investment is delivering results. On completion, staff return as care leaders equipped with the skills, confidence and behaviours needed to raise standards across supported living services.