I have completed mandatory training: Do I need to do the Care Certificate?

In the world of care, mandatory training and the Care Certificate are two important aspects that care workers need to be familiar with. While mandatory training covers essential topics and skills necessary for safe and effective care provision, the Care Certificate focuses specifically on the standards and behaviours expected of workers in the health and adult social care sectors.

In this blog, we will explore the differences between mandatory training and the Care Certificate and whether completing mandatory training exempts one from the requirement of obtaining the Care Certificate.

The difference between mandatory training and the care certificate

When it comes to mandatory training and the Care Certificate, it's important to understand the distinctions between the two. While mandatory training typically covers essential topics and skills that care workers, need to perform their roles safely and effectively, the Care Certificate focuses specifically on the standards and behaviours expected of workers new in the health and adult social care sectors.

Completing mandatory training

If you have completed mandatory training, it means that you have met the requirements set by your organisation or regulatory body (the Care Quality Commission for those in England) for essential training topics such as infection control, health and safety, safeguarding, and more. This training is necessary to ensure you have the foundational knowledge and skills for your role in healthcare.

Standards and expectations for care workers

On the other hand, the Care Certificate is a separate set of 15 standards that defines the minimum expectations of workers in health and social care roles. It encompasses areas such as communication, privacy and dignity, duty of care, safeguarding, and person-centered care. A Care Certificate can only be issued once all of its 15 standards are completed. The completion of the Care Certificate demonstrates that you possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and behaviours to provide compassionate and high-quality care to individuals.

Importance of completing the Care Certificate

While mandatory training may cover some of the same topics as the Care Certificate, it does not replace the need to complete the Care Certificate. The Care Certificate provides a standardised framework for assessing and verifying workers' competence in specific areas of care provision.

Even if you have completed mandatory training, you may still need to undergo the Care Certificate to demonstrate your competency in the specific standards set out by Skills for Health and Skills for Care.

Importance of training the Care Certificate

Supporting new workers is a top priority, and the Care Certificate marks the start of their career path. It emphasises the value of training and career growth, which leads to the establishment of a strong bond within the team. By becoming a Care Certificate trainer, you can create a team who fully prepared to work in their respective roles to deliver safe and compassionate care.

Managers or individuals with subject matter expertise in this specific area can become trainers through the train-the-trainer model. This allows them to provide comprehensive Care Certificate induction training, including the latest materials from industry experts, legislation and policies, and a guide to effective teaching methods. We are committed to this field, and our efforts have been recognised by Skills for Care. Delivered on our easy-to-use Learning Management System (LMS), you can study according to your schedule. Additionally, our LMS features reporting functionalities that allow you to monitor the efficacy and effectiveness of your training, enabling you to identify areas that need improvement.

The Mandatory Training Group offers an integration to assist with training management and improve operational efficiency. With our ComplyPlus CQC Compliance Software, you can effortlessly audit and organise all your training and compliance documents in a centralised location. Our software includes a certified learning management system and document repository for all your policies and procedures, equipping you with the necessary tools to boost your compliance rating.

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

Conclusion

While mandatory training covers essential topics and skills for safe and effective care provision, the Care Certificate focuses specifically on the standards and behaviours expected of workers in the health and adult social care sectors. Although both certifications may cover similar topics, completing the Care Certificate demonstrates your competence and dedication to delivering high-quality, compassionate care. By becoming a trainer, you can create a team that is fully equipped to work in their respective roles effectively and contribute to their professional development. Pursuing the Care Certificate can help you enhance your skills in adult social care, enabling you to provide excellent care to those around you.

To view our Care Certificate train the trainer pack, please click here.