Choosing the right care training can make a real difference to your career. However, quality matters just as much as the course itself. That is why quality assurance plays an important role in adult social care training. It helps learners and employers choose training with greater confidence.
Inspire London College has achieved recognition through the Quality Assured Care Learning Service (QACLS). This recognition supports the college’s commitment to quality learning in adult social care. But what does QACLS actually mean? More importantly, how can it benefit learners and employers?
What Is QACLS?
QACLS stands for Quality Assured Care Learning Service. Skills for Care launched QACLS in October 2024. The service supports high-quality training across adult social care. It also offers a clear way to check training quality. In turn, it helps training providers follow suitable quality standards.
QACLS also builds confidence in Government-funded adult social care training. It helps organisations check whether training meets quality expectations. Therefore, it gives learners and employers another useful quality marker. It can also help them choose suitable training with greater confidence.
Who Runs QACLS?
Skills for Care runs QACLS for the adult social care sector. It supports learning, skills and workforce development across the UK. QACLS focuses on the quality of relevant care training. It also helps build trust in funded training programmes. As a result, it supports clear and useful learning across adult social care.
QACLS vs Ofqual: What Is the Difference?
QACLS and Ofqual have different roles. Understanding this difference can help learners choose training with confidence.
| Features | QACLS | Ofqual |
| Main purpose | Focuses on quality assurance for care learning | Regulates qualifications and assessments in England |
| Responsible body | Operates under Skills for Care | Operates as England’s qualifications regulator |
| Quality focus | Supports quality within adult social care learning | Regulates awarding organisations and qualifications |
| Learner confidence | Helps support confidence in relevant training | Protects standards in regulated qualifications |
| Scope | Has a specific care sector focus | Covers a wider qualifications system |
Ofqual regulates qualifications, exams and assessments in England. It also oversees recognised awarding organisations. However, Ofqual does not regulate schools, colleges or training providers. Instead, it focuses on regulated qualifications and awarding bodies. Therefore, QACLS and Ofqual serve different roles and offer different types of recognition.
QACLS Approval vs Awarding Organisation Approval
These terms can be confusing. However, they describe different parts of the training process.
What Does QACLS Recognition Mean?
QACLS recognition shows that a provider meets the required quality checks. It focuses on the quality of care, learning, and training. This recognition can give learners and employers more confidence in the provider. However, QACLS recognition does not mean that every course is Ofqual-regulated.
What Does Awarding Organisation Approval Mean?
An awarding organisation creates and awards formal qualifications. It also sets the rules for assessment and grading. Training providers may work with these organisations to deliver their courses. Ofqual can regulate awarding organisations in England, but not all fall under its rules. Therefore, learners should check the organisation and qualification status before they enrol.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
The difference helps you understand what your course actually offers. It also helps you check the course and its quality before you enrol.
- QACLS checks the quality of care learning, while awarding bodies manage qualifications and tests.
- Ofqual regulates some awarding bodies and qualifications, so check your course before you enrol.
What Does QACLS Recognition Mean for Inspire London College?
Inspire London College has achieved QACLS recognition through Skills for Care. The college offers courses in care, education, training and other areas. These options can help learners build skills and support their career goals. Its current course range includes:
- iCQ Level 2 Award in Awareness of Dementia (RQF) (601/6927/8)
- iCQ Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (England) (610/2985/3)
- iCQ Level 2 Award in Awareness of End of Life Care (RQF)(601/6928/X)
- iCQ Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism(603/5139/1 )
- iCQ Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate(610/4832/X )
- iCQ Level 3 Award in Education and Training (601/6202/8)
- NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism((610/3164/1)
- NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Dementia Care (RQF) (610/3187/2)
- NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines (610/3195/1)
- NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities (610/3161/6)
- NOCN Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate(610/4165/8)
These courses cover different subjects and learner needs. Therefore, learners can choose an option that matches their interests and career plans. QACLS recognition also gives learners another factor to consider when choosing a training provider.
Learning Benefits of QACLS Quality-Assured Training
QACLS recognition can give learners more confidence in their training choice. It also supports clear quality checks for relevant learning.
- Better Quality Assurance: Quality checks help learners choose training with greater confidence. They also give providers a clear quality framework.
- Improved Learning Standards: Good training should offer clear and useful learning outcomes. Quality checks can help providers keep their training consistent.
- Relevant Training: Helps learners build useful skills and knowledge. However, always check the status of each qualification.
- Greater Employer Confidence: Quality training can strengthen your professional profile. It can also give employers more confidence in your skills.
- Career Progression: Training can build skills for your current or future role. It may also help you prepare for more responsibility.
- Better Workplace Knowledge: Relevant training can improve your knowledge of workplace duties. It can also help you work with greater confidence.
Why Employers Choose QACLS Quality-Assured Training
Employers need more than a course certificate. They also need training that supports their staff and goals. QACLS quality-assured training can help employers make better training choices. It can also support staff development, improve skills and encourage ongoing learning.
- Support Staff Compliance
Relevant training helps staff understand their workplace duties. It can also improve knowledge and support consistent work practices. Employers can use suitable training as part of staff development plans. However, training alone does not ensure compliance. Employers must still follow all relevant laws, policies and rules.
- Strengthen Quality Assurance
Employers want confidence in the training they give their staff. A quality-assured provider offers another useful quality check. This can help employers compare training providers more easily. It also supports better choices when they plan staff training. As a result, employers can choose training that fits their needs.
- Support Workforce Development
Strong services need skilled and confident staff. Employers can use training to find skill gaps in their teams. They can then choose courses that meet their staff’s needs. Ongoing learning can also help staff build and maintain their skills. This can support better performance and career growth.
- Support CQC Readiness
Training can support an organisation’s wider quality and compliance work. It can help staff understand their roles and duties. However, QACLS recognition does not guarantee CQC compliance or a successful inspection. Employers should keep clear records and support staff development. They must also meet all relevant CQC requirements.
- Provide CPD Evidence
Continuing professional development helps staff maintain and improve their skills. Employers can keep clear records of staff learning and progress. Training certificates can also support these records when suitable. Therefore, quality-assured training can form part of a wider CPD plan.
How QACLS Training Supports Employers
Employers can gain several benefits from suitable quality-assured training. These may include:
- Better staff development plans
- More consistent staff learning
- Clearer training oversight
- Improved staff knowledge
- Better CPD records
- More confidence when choosing providers
- Support for ongoing learning
However, employers should always choose training that meets their workplace needs.
Final Thoughts
Quality matters when you choose adult social care training. QACLS gives learners and employers a useful quality check for relevant learning. However, it does not replace Ofqual regulation or awarding body approval. Therefore, always check the course details before you enrol. Choose training that matches your skills, goals and future career plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About QACLS
What does QACLS mean?
The acronym QACLS stands for Quality Assured Care Learning Service. It is used to assist with quality assurance for adult social care learning.
Who runs QACLS?
Skills for Care is responsible for running QACLS. QACLS was introduced in October 2024.
Are QACLS and Ofqual the same thing?
No. QACLS and Ofqual have different functions. While QACLS reviews the standard of care learning, Ofqual regulates qualifications and assessments in England.
Does QACLS award qualifications?
No. QACLS does not award qualifications. Awarding organisations create qualifications and manage their assessments.
Does QACLS recognition mean a qualification is Ofqual regulated?
Not always. Check the qualification and awarding organisation first. Then check its Ofqual status.
Can QACLS training support career development?
Yes. Relevant training can build useful skills and knowledge. However, career progress also depends on experience and employer needs.
Is Inspire London College accredited?
Inspire London College has achieved QACLS recognition through Skills for Care. However, learners should check the exact course and qualification status. They should also check the awarding organisation before enrolling.
Is there any way for employers to use QACLS training to develop their employees?
Yes. Employers are allowed to use appropriate training to develop their employees. They need to select the appropriate courses based on their workplace requirements.
Can QACLS certification ensure CQC compliance?
No. The QACLS certification cannot guarantee CQC compliance.
