Course overview of Care Certificate
The Care Certificate is an agreed set of standards that define the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in the health and social care sectors.
The Care Certificate is made up of 16 standards that should be covered if you are 'new to care' and should form part of a robust induction programme. It was developed jointly by Skills for Care, Health Education England and Skills for Health. The Care Certificate was formerly made up of 15 Standards, with a reform taking place in 2025 to create 16 Standards.
Course content
The 16 standards of the Care Certificate involve knowledge learning, practical skills, and workplace assessments.
The 16 standards of the Care Certificate are:
- Standard 1: Understand your role
- Standard 2: Your Personal Development
- Standard 3: Duty of Care
- Standard 4: Equality and diversity
- Standard 5: Work in a person-centred way
- Standard 6: Communication
- Standard 7: Privacy and dignity
- Standard 8: Fluids and nutrition
- Standard 9: Awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disabilities
- Standard 10: Adult Safeguarding
- Standard 11: Safeguarding children
- Standard 12: Basic life support
- Standard 13: Health & Safety
- Standard 14: Handling information
- Standard 15: Infection prevention and control
- Standard 16: Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism
Learners can complete a Skills for Care Workbook with the Care Certificate Answers guide, or complete an online course.
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Aims of Care Certificate course
The Care Certificate is an agreed set of standards that define the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in the health and social care sectors. It is made up of the 16 minimum standards that should be covered if you are 'new to care' and should form part of a robust induction programme.
- Competence for new care workers
- Basic care skills and safeguarding
- Part of an induction for new care staff
- Refreshes core skill knowledge for carers
What audience is this online course suitable for?
The certificate is aimed at workers joining a health or adult social care organisation who have no previous experience. Some employers may ask current staff members to complete some of the Care Certificate standards.
The Care Certificate for Social Care
Social care workers provide direct care to people in a variety of settings. They include residential, nursing homes, hospices, domiciliary care and supported living services.
Roles include the likes of:
- Care Assistant
- Care Support Worker
- Care Worker
- Homecare Worker
Do temporary workers need to complete the certificate?
CQC-regulated providers must assess the training needs of all staff new to their organisation. This includes temporary workers. The responsibility for training and quality of care delivered by temporary staff rests with the employer.
