In March 2025, the Care Certificate underwent significant updates to better align with the evolving needs of the health and social care sector in England. These changes aim to enhance the training and development of care workers, ensuring they are well-equipped to provide high-quality, compassionate care.
Key Changes to the Care Certificate
Expansion to 16 Standards
The Care Certificate now comprises 16 standards, reflecting a more comprehensive approach to care training. A notable addition is the new standard focusing on Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism, emphasising the importance of understanding and supporting individuals with these conditions.
Enhanced Focus on Key Areas
The revisions place greater emphasis on critical areas such as infection prevention and control, incorporating lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, there is an increased focus on understanding restrictive practices, dementia care, and promoting human rights within care settings.
Changes within each Standard
Standard 1: Understand Your Role
There is now a new focus on identifying career and professional development opportunities and the role of advocates and significant others in supporting individuals.
Standard 2: Your Personal Development
Digital skills have now been included in functional level assessments.
Standard 3: Duty of Care
There is a clearer definition of the “Duty of candour” now included.
Standard 4: Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights (Title updated)
There is a stronger emphasis on inclusion and human rights and protected characteristics, bias, and discrimination are now explicitly covered. A much clearer guidance on recognising and challenging discrimination and how interactions must support culturally appropriate care.
Standard 5: Work in a Person-Centred Way
The guidance has improved when applying person-centred values and the emphasis on relationships important to the individual. Mental capacity content has moved from Standard 9, updated with legal references. ‘Wellbeing’ now replaces ‘emotional and spiritual wellbeing’ and there is inclusion of emotional distress under recognising pain and discomfort.
Standard 6: Communication
There is a greater focus on assistive technologies, digital tools and their safe use. Behaviour is also recognised as a form of communication.
Standard 7: Privacy and Dignity
This standard now encourages independence and maintaining community relationship and clarifies ways to maintain privacy and dignity.
Standard 8: Fluids and Nutrition
There is a new requirement to identify and report changes in nutrition/hydration needs and the standard ensures nutrition access for those with liberty or mobility restrictions.
Standard 9: Awareness of Mental Health and Dementia (Title updated)
Topics on learning disabilities and autism have now moved to new Standard 16. There is expanded coverage of mental health, dementia, early signs, and reasonable adjustments.
Standard 10: Adult Safeguarding (Title updated)
Terminology has been updated to align with the Care Act 2014 and legal definition of an adult at risk is now included. Plus, coverage of risks from technology and restrictive practices has been expanded.
Standard 11: Safeguarding Children
No changes have been made.
Standard 12: Basic Life Support
No changes have been made.
Standard 13: Health and Safety
There is new guidance on identifying stress triggers and accessing support. Plus ‘Manage stress’ has been revised to include broader mental health and personal wellbeing.
Standard 14: Handling Information
Access to and secure handling of information has been added, and data breach reporting processes are now clarified.
Standard 15: Infection Prevention and Control
This standard has been fully revised and expanded as it now covers chain of infection, PPE use, hygiene, decontamination, safe disposal, and IPC responsibilities.
Standard 16: Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism (New standard)
This standard includes autism and employer responsibilities. Learning disability content moved from Standard 9 and expanded.
Access the Full Document
For a detailed look at all the updates, you can access the full document here:
Summary of changes to Care Certificate standards March 2025
Care Certificate 2025 and Level 2 Care Certificate
The Care Certificate (2025) and the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate are related but distinctly different in purpose, structure, and accreditation.
The differences
Care Certificate 2025
The Care Certificate is a non-accredited induction framework developed by Skills for Care, Skills for Health, and Health Education England. It is designed to ensure that new health and social care workers demonstrate basic knowledge, skills, and behaviours necessary to provide safe and compassionate care. It is best understood as an essential onboarding toolkit for those new to care roles, ensuring safe practice and values-based behaviour from day one. It sets a minimum standard for care delivery.
Level 2 Care Certificate
The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate is a regulated, accredited qualification introduced as part of the UK government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee. It reflects a formal education pathway for those working in adult care roles, aligning with professional standards and career development routes. It prepares individuals for ongoing roles in care, enhancing professional credibility and opening progression routes.
Purpose and Use
Care Certificate 2025
- Primarily for induction of new care workers
- Ensures understanding of core values and basic care skills
- Often a requirement during probation
Level 2 Care Certificate
- A formal qualification for building a career in care
- Covers broader theoretical knowledge, competencies, and workplace application
- Leads to professional recognition and further progression
Accreditation and Recognition
Care Certificate 2025
- Not regulated by Ofqual or an awarding body
- Not formally portable across employers unless accepted
- Completed in-house or through training providers
Level 2 Care Certificate
- Ofqual-regulated qualification
- Recognised nationally, transferable and valued across the sector
- Delivered by colleges and registered training providers
Assessment and Supervision
Care Certificate 2025
- Assessment is informal, usually done internally by the employer
- Requires supervised practice and documentation
Level 2 Care Certificate
- Assessment is formal, externally verified, and quality-assured
- Includes graded assessments, portfolio work, and tutor/ assessor feedback
Progression and Career Pathways
Care Certificate 2025
- Acts as a first step into the care sector
Level 2 Care Certificate
- Recognised qualification for progression to Level 3, team leader, or specialist roles
The updated Care Certificate is more than just a checklist — it's a reflection of the values and responsibilities at the heart of care work.
Care Certificate course
The Care Certificate is a set of standards that teaches the competencies needed to work in Health and Social Care. Complete the Care Certificate training with a Skills for Care 'Centre of Excellence'.
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