How the Level 2 Care Certificate is supporting learning and development for social care
26 Jan 2026
3 min read
We take a closer look at the newly developed Level 2 Care Certificate and how it鈥檚 supporting professional development in social care.
The Level 2 Care Certificate was developed in 2021, as an accredited and portable qualification based on the existing Care Certificate standards. It offers a formal, transferable qualification that supports career progression and movement between employers within the care sector.
What is the Level 2 Care Certificate?
The Level 2 Care Certificate qualification is an Ofqual-regulated qualification. It’s designed to provide a baseline standard for care and reduces the need for repeated training. It also provides recognition for the professional career that social care is.
The Certificate covers 15 key topic areas, similar to the original Care Certificate standards, but with updated content and assessment guidance.
These topics include:
- Understanding one’s own role
- Personal development
- Duty of care
- Equality, diversity, inclusion, and human rights
- Working in a person-centred way
- Communication
- Privacy and dignity
- Nutrition and hydration
- Awareness of mental health and dementia
- Adult safeguarding
- Safeguarding children
- Health, safety, and basic life support
- Handling information
- Infection prevention and control
- Awareness of learning disability and autism
Who is the Level 2 Care Certificate for?
The Level 2 Care Certificate is intended for care workers who already have some experience in care. The qualification is open to eligible non-regulated care staff.
It provides people in care roles with the most up-to-date knowledge and baseline skills required to support people well, and succeed in their roles, and provides the opportunity for experienced care workers to gain a recognised qualification.
This will support people with their career development, and will help improve retention and recruitment across the social care sector.
What’s the difference between the Level 2 Care Certificate and the Care Certificate standards?
The Care Certificate standards de铿乶e the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of speci铿乧 job roles in health and social care. They can be used if you are 'new to care' and to inform what information is covered during induction.
The standards were updated in March 2025 to align with sector developments and the introduction of the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification.鈥�
Unlike the The Care Certificate standards, the Level 2 Care Certificate is a formal accreditation, which can be transferred across employers. The Level 2 Care Certificate is intended for care workers with some experience in care, rather than those who are new to care.
How to get started with the Level 2 Care Certificate
If you’re interested in the Level 2 Care Certificate Qualification, you can read the relevant factsheets on our Level 2 Social Care Certificate Qualification webpage. Alternatively, you can speak to a learning provider directly to find out more.
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