MCA COURSE OUTLINE · 610/7280/1
iCQ Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service (England)
Managers and aspiring managers with responsibility for an adult care service.
Qualification at a glance
- Qualification number
- 610/7280/1
- Awarding organisation
- iCQ Awards (iCan Qualifications Limited)
- Minimum credits
- 90
- Guided learning hours
- 755
- Total qualification time
- 900 hours
Entry requirements and assessment access
The specification places this route in the 19+ age category. A real leadership role is needed to demonstrate service management, staff supervision and governance. MCA assesses suitability before registration.
What you will learn
- Lead teams, supervision and workforce development
- Manage governance, safeguarding, mental capacity and complaints
- Lead person-centred practice, resources, partnerships and continuous improvement
Qualification structure and unit choices
Structure: achieve a minimum of 90 credits overall. 76 credits must be achieved from the 21 mandatory units. Learners must also complete a minimum of 14 credits from the optional units.
Mandatory units form the core. Optional units, where available, are selected with your assessor to match your role and the rules of combination; the full optional list is not a requirement to complete every unit.
| Unit code | Unit title | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/652/0644 | Decision making | 5 | 2 |
| A/652/0653 | Leading the vision | 5 | 3 |
| A/652/0662 | Personal wellbeing | 5 | 3 |
| D/652/0645 | Business and resource management | 5 | 4 |
| D/652/0654 | Continuous improvement | 5 | 4 |
| F/652/0646 | Team leadership | 5 | 4 |
| F/652/0655 | Effective communication | 5 | 4 |
| H/652/0647 | Team Learning and Development | 5 | 2 |
| H/652/0656 | Handling information | 5 | 4 |
| J/652/0648 | Supervising others | 5 | 2 |
| J/652/0657 | Leading person-centred practice | 5 | 5 |
| K/652/0649 | Safeguarding | 5 | 4 |
| K/652/0658 | Health and wellbeing | 5 | 4 |
| L/652/0659 | Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights | 5 | 5 |
| R/652/0650 | Mental Capacity | 5 | 4 |
| T/652/0642 | Leadership and management | 5 | 4 |
| T/652/0651 | Partnerships | 5 | 4 |
| T/652/0660 | Health and safety | 5 | 5 |
| Y/652/0643 | Governance and regulatory processes | 5 | 3 |
| Y/652/0652 | Comments and complaints | 5 | 3 |
| Y/652/0661 | Continuous Development | 5 | 3 |
Group O Optional Units (25 units)
| Unit code | Unit title | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/617/5134 | Manage residential adult care services | 5 | 6 |
| A/650/6768 | Lead and manage adult care services to promote mental health and wellbeing for individuals | 5 | 4 |
| A/650/6948 | Operational and business development in adult care | 5 | 4 |
| D/650/6769 | Leading and managing clinical skills and health care in adult care | 5 | 4 |
| D/650/6911 | Managing induction within adult care | 5 | 4 |
| D/650/6949 | Understanding advocacy in adult care | 5 | 3 |
| F/617/5135 | Manage domiciliary services | 5 | 6 |
| H/504/2213 | Lead practice which supports individuals to take positive risks | 5 | 4 |
| J/617/5136 | Lead and manage end of life care and support | 5 | 7 |
| J/650/6770 | Leading and managing specialist areas of care | 5 | 5 |
| J/650/6905 | Manage dementia care practices within adult care | 5 | 4 |
| J/650/6950 | Understanding sexuality and sexual health in adult care | 5 | 3 |
| K/650/6771 | Leading mentoring and coaching in adult social care | 5 | 5 |
| K/650/6906 | Manage finance and budgets in adult care | 5 | 4 |
| K/650/6951 | Undertaking research in adult care | 5 | 8 |
| L/650/6772 | Leading the workforce to use and develop digital skills in adult care | 5 | 4 |
| L/650/6907 | Manage quality assurance in adult care | 5 | 5 |
| M/650/6773 | Manage care for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism | 5 | 4 |
| M/650/6908 | Manage support for individuals with physical disabilities and impairments | 5 | 4 |
| R/650/6909 | Managing a service to promote independence in adult care | 5 | 4 |
| R/650/6945 | Managing recruitment, selection and retention in adult care | 5 | 5 |
| T/602/3174 | Lead and manage group living for adults | 5 | 5 |
| T/650/6946 | Managing the use of assistive technology in adult care | 5 | 3 |
| Y/504/2208 | Lead and manage infection prevention and control within the work setting | 5 | 6 |
| Y/650/6947 | Managing transitions within adult care | 5 | 4 |
How you are assessed
A portfolio of real management practice, observed leadership, service records and professional discussion. Protect confidential service-user information in submitted evidence.
Your assessor records decisions against the unit criteria. All required outcomes must be achieved; assessment evidence is reviewed through internal and awarding-body quality assurance. Prior learning may be considered where permitted and supported by valid evidence.
Delivery and learner support
MCA offers tutor-supported online and blended learning. Your agreed study plan sets the tutorial format, workplace visits or teaching observations, independent study and review arrangements. Practical assessment cannot be replaced by online study alone.
Discuss accessibility needs, reasonable adjustments and learning support with MCA at the application stage.
Duration, start dates and fees
Start dates, fees, payment options and the planned completion period are confirmed in writing before enrolment. Qualification learning hours describe the study requirement; they are not a promise of a fixed calendar duration. Ask MCA for a personalised quotation and timetable.
Progression
Develop adult care service leadership; regulatory registration is a separate process.
Apply or ask a question
Tell us your chosen qualification, experience and current role so we can check the right pathway.
Request your course planUnit titles, credits and qualification structure checked against the published iCQ specification on 3 October 2026. This MCA outline explains the learner journey; the registered assessment plan controls the exact unit selection and assessment criteria.