Adult social care encompasses a wide range of roles, each designed to support individuals in maintaining their independence and quality of life. Care providers should have onboarding and ongoing training for staff, as well as role and service-specific training. We’ve listed these below, with suggested training to help individuals progress in the different types of roles.
Although there isn’t one specific list of mandatory training courses for the whole adult social care sector, there are certain areas and subjects which care providers are responsible for ensuring their staff are trained in. These are based around legislation like the Health and Safety at Work Act, and CQC and Local Authority requirements.
The most common mandatory training courses in adult social care include
- Health & safety awareness
- Fire safety
- Moving and handling
- Infection prevention and control
- Safeguarding adults
- Safeguarding children
- Basic first aid and life support
- Medication administration
- Equality, diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias
- Mental health, dementia, and learning disabilities
- Autism awareness
- GDPR, Data security and information handling
- Fluids and nutrition
- Oliver McGowan training
- COSHH – hazardous substances
There are also training modules and topics which are required or helpful for specific roles:
Direct Care Roles
Care Worker/Support Worker
Provides day-to-day support with personal care, mobility, meals, and social activities.
Recommended training:
- Care Certificate
- Level 2 Care Certificate (only available in London)
- Level 2 Diploma in Care
- Level 3 Diploma in Care
- Basic life support
- End of life care
- Positive behaviour support
- Food safety and hygiene
- Mental Capacity Act/DOLS
Personal Assistant
Offers personalised support to an individual, often in their own home.
Recommended training:
- Level 2 Care Certificate (only available in London)
- Level 2-3 Diploma in Care
- Mental health awareness
- Person-centred care
- Food safety and hygiene
- Communication skills
- Falls prevention
- Personal care
- Wellbeing
Advocacy Worker
Supports vulnerable people to ensure their voices are heard.
Recommended training:
- Independent advocacy practice
- Peer advocacy
Management and Support Roles
Team Leader/Supervisor
Oversees and supports a team of care workers.
Recommended training:
- Lead to Succeed – Skills for Care
- Well Led – Skills for Care
- Level 4-5 Diploma in Adult Care
- Leadership skills
- Team building skills
- Understanding Self-management skills – Skills for Care
- Understanding Workplace Culture
- Understanding Performance management
- Reflective practice
- Supervision skills
- Care planning
- Conflict management
Practice Manager
Responsible for the overall management and operation of a care home.
Recommended training:
- Well Led – Skills for Care
- Leading Change Improving Care – Skills for Care
- Lead to Succeed – Skills for Care (if not undertaken previously, or as a leadership CPD update)
- Leading Change Improving Care – Skills for Care
- Level 5-7 Diploma in Adult Social Care
- Mentorship, coaching and challenging conversations
Administrative Staff
Handles essential administrative tasks.
Recommended training:
- Administrative support
- Communication and customer service
- Dealing with challenging behaviours
Key Training Considerations
- The Care Certificate: A set of standards that define the knowledge, skills, and behaviours expected of care workers.
- Diplomas in Health and Social Care: Provide in-depth knowledge and skills for various social care roles.
- Specialised Training: Depending on the role, additional training may be required in areas such as dementia care, safeguarding, and first aid.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Ongoing learning is essential for all social care professionals to stay up-to-date with best practices and legislation.
- Digital Skills: Skills for Care encourage uptake of digital skills within the sector, and have developed an Adult Social Care Digital Skills Framework.
It's important to note that specific training requirements may vary depending on the employer and the specific role. Resources like Skills for Care provide comprehensive information on social care roles and training.
For help understanding what funding is available for carer training, please click here.
