Why providing care certificate training is important for health and social care managers

The Care Certificate, developed collaboratively by Health Education England, Skills for Care, and Skills for Health, is an essential set of standards that health and social care workers must adhere to in their daily work. In this blog, we will discuss why trainers should prioritise teaching the care certificate for induction training, highlighting its importance in ensuring compassionate, safe, and high-quality care and support.

The need for the care certificate

The care certificate was introduced as a direct response to The Cavendish Review, conducted in the wake of reports of abuse and neglect at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust. It serves as a means to prevent such incidents from recurring by equipping workers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and behaviours to deliver quality care.

A foundation for career progression

While the care certificate is a minimum requirement for all health and social care workers, it also acts as a solid foundation on which individuals can further develop their knowledge and skills throughout their career progression. By completing the care certificate, workers are equipped with the fundamental skills needed to deliver quality care, laying the groundwork for ongoing professional growth and development.

Care quality commission expectations

Although there is no legal requirement to complete the care certificate, care employers are expected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to deliver the certificate or provide equivalent training that enables staff to meet the required standards. This expectation underscores the importance of ensuring that staff are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide compassionate, safe, and high-quality care.

Relevant for various roles

The care certificate is particularly relevant for workers in healthcare and adult social care settings. This includes healthcare support workers, healthcare assistants, assistant practitioners, and any individuals providing support to clinical roles that involve direct contact with patients. In adult social care, workers in various settings, such as residential homes, nursing homes, domiciliary care, and hospices, benefit from the training provided by the Care Certificate. While the care certificate is primarily aimed at these specific roles, employers have the flexibility to determine whether any other staff groups, such as cleaners and maintenance within their organisation, would benefit from the standardised training.

Duration and standards

To ensure that staff members are adequately trained, completing the care certificate typically takes around 12 weeks for a full-time staff member. This timeframe allows for the necessary learning and assessment to occur while the individual is on the job.

Skills for Care outlines there are fifteen minimum standards that must be completed involving knowledge learning, practical skills, and workplace assessments. Completion of all standards is required to attain the Care Certificate. These minimum standards are:

It is pivotal for trainers to ensure that each standard is fully completed and assessed before workers can proceed to work unsupervised.

Delivering your care certificate training

If you're thinking about becoming an induction trainer, our train-the-trainer packages can equip you with the necessary skills to create a fully compliant team of care staff. Becoming an in-house trainer has numerous benefits, such as aiding in employee retention and providing a cost-effective approach. Our courses can be accessed through our user-friendly learning management system (LMS), which offers full reporting capabilities and can be accessed from any device, anywhere and anytime.

Additionally, we offer a complete suite of software that will help you manage your induction training and increase the efficiency of your operations. With ComplyPlus CQC Compliance Software, you'll effortlessly manage your training and compliance documents. Keep all of your HR files in one central place and track your staff's progress with ease. The software will notify you when it's time for training modules to be completed, and you'll have access to reporting figures for your review. The accredited learning management system gives you the necessary tools to improve your compliance rating.

Contact us for more information about the compliance management solutions we offer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, trainers should prioritise training their new staff to the care certificate - 15 standards. This ensures that workers possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and behaviours to provide compassionate, safe, and high-quality care and support. By completing the care certificate, workers meet the minimum requirements and lay the foundation for ongoing professional growth and development. Employing effective training and compliance management solutions further enhances the training process and improves overall operational efficiency. Furthermore, meeting the expectations set by the Care Quality Commission creates a culture of excellence and accountability in the healthcare and adult social care sectors.

Learn more about the care certificate training here.

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