diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 7646902..afc3133 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 # CHANGELOG
 
+## v1.1.0
+- Add optional default heading level setting for care cards
+
 ## v1.0.0
 
 ### Upgrade Considerations
diff --git a/docs/components/care_card.md b/docs/components/care_card.md
index ef66bb6..300a05a 100644
--- a/docs/components/care_card.md
+++ b/docs/components/care_card.md
@@ -45,6 +45,12 @@ class MyPage(Page):
   ])
 ```
 
+# Default Heading Level
+
+The default heading level for care cards is 3 but this can be overwritten using a Django setting.
+See testapp/testapp/settings/base.py as an example.
+If no setting is supplied the default will remain 3.
+
 ## Reference
 
 * [Service Manual](https://service-manual.nhs.uk/design-system/components/care-cards)
diff --git a/testapp/testapp/settings/base.py b/testapp/testapp/settings/base.py
index 8d55db2..05b2e90 100644
--- a/testapp/testapp/settings/base.py
+++ b/testapp/testapp/settings/base.py
@@ -165,3 +165,7 @@
 
 # Default field for primary keys
 DEFAULT_AUTO_FIELD = 'django.db.models.AutoField'
+
+# Default heading level for care cards
+# Uncomment the line below and change the value to what you want (min=2 max=6)
+# DEFAULT_CARE_CARD_HEADING_LEVEL = 3
diff --git a/wagtailnhsukfrontend/blocks.py b/wagtailnhsukfrontend/blocks.py
index b15e364..c3fb541 100644
--- a/wagtailnhsukfrontend/blocks.py
+++ b/wagtailnhsukfrontend/blocks.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
+from django.conf import settings
 from django.forms.utils import ErrorList
 from wagtail.core.blocks import (
     BooleanBlock,
@@ -328,6 +329,12 @@ class Meta:
         template = 'wagtailnhsukfrontend/expander_group.html'
 
 
+if hasattr(settings, 'DEFAULT_CARE_CARD_HEADING_LEVEL'):
+    CARE_CARD_HEADING_LEVEL = settings.DEFAULT_CARE_CARD_HEADING_LEVEL
+else:
+    CARE_CARD_HEADING_LEVEL = 3
+
+
 class CareCardBlock(FlattenValueContext, StructBlock):
 
     type = ChoiceBlock([
@@ -335,7 +342,7 @@ class CareCardBlock(FlattenValueContext, StructBlock):
         ('urgent', 'Urgent'),
         ('immediate', 'Immediate'),
     ], required=True, default='primary',)
-    heading_level = IntegerBlock(required=True, min_value=2, max_value=6, default=3, help_text='The heading level affects users with screen readers. Default=3, Min=2, Max=4.')
+    heading_level = IntegerBlock(required=True, min_value=2, max_value=6, default=CARE_CARD_HEADING_LEVEL, help_text='The heading level affects users with screen readers. Default=' + str(CARE_CARD_HEADING_LEVEL) + ', Min=2, Max=4.')
     title = CharBlock(required=True)
 
     class BodyStreamBlock(StreamBlock):