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Which training courses are mandatory in social care?
Elsie Rodas
19-03-2023
“What is mandatory courses for carers? Is mandatory training the same as statutory training? Which training courses are considered mandatory in the care sector?”
We receive these questions regularly at The Mandatory Training Group. There is a great deal of confusion regarding this topic in the care sector, so this article will help to clarify matters.
In this article, Elsie Rodas will outline the courses various adult social care providers must provide their staff. Care providers in England regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are covered by the information provided in this article. Health and social care providers in other countries should contact their equivalent bodies.
Social care mandatory training: Key legislation
“Is there a list of courses health and social care support workers should complete?”
The answer is simple. There is no definite list of mandatory courses for health and social care professionals.
For a training course to be considered mandatory, it must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- For example, there is a statutory requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Training is required for all employees throughout the organisation.
- It is a requirement of the CQC or the local authority.
What is mandatory training for social care?
Care managers must provide mandatory training for their employees following statutory requirements, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, those of the local authority, and those specified by the CQC.
All care organisations are required to provide health and safety awareness training, including fire safety training. Training in moving and handling is also mandatory, as well as food safety and food hygiene if staff prepare food or assist at meal times.
Below is a summary of the main subjects recognised as mandatory in health and social care environments.
| Type of training | Requirement source |
|---|---|
| Health and safety | Statutory requirement (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) |
| Fire safety | Statutory requirement (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 |
| Equality, Diversity and Human Rights | Human Rights Act 1998
Equality Act 2010
|
| Infection, Prevention and Control | Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infection and Related Guidance (Dec 2010) |
| Manual Handling | Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 as amended Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 |
| Safeguarding Adults | Care Quality Commission (CQC) |
| Safeguarding Children | Care Quality Commission (CQC) |
Additional care mandatory training courses
The following modules are also mandatory for care workers:
- Food hygiene/food safety
- Complaints handling
- Lone working awareness
- COSHH
- RIDDOR
- Awareness of mental health
- Awareness of dementia
- Awareness of learning disabilities
- Mental Capacity (MCA) and Liberty Safeguards
- PMVA/MAPA, for those working in mental health settings
- Documentation and record-keeping.
It is important to note that this list of mandatory training courses for care workers is not exhaustive. Care organisations must conduct risk assessments to minimise risks and ensure their staff is trained appropriately.
The Care Certificate and mandatory training
Courses considered mandatory differ from those required to issue a Care Certificate. To receive a Care Certificate, care staff must complete training and assessments in the 15 standards. New recruits must also be trained in all 15 standards before receiving a Care Certificate.
However, it should be noted that only those topics in the 15 Standards related to your organisation's service provision are mandatory.
Training needs analysis for mandatory training
Care managers should conduct a training needs analysis (TNA) to determine which training courses are mandatory. Nevertheless, if you are still trying to decide which training is necessary for your organisation, please contact our Support Team. They will be able to assist you.
Conclusion
The Mandatory Training Group offers mandatory training bundles at discounted prices for both the domiciliary care and care home sectors. Other than these, the courses considered mandatory by your organisation will entirely depend on the type of care you provide and the individual you support. Your local authority and other commissioners may also have additional requirements.
Click here to see our wide range of CPD-accredited and CQC-compliant social care mandatory courses and training programmes. Feel free to contact us if you would like to speak with someone directly.
About the Mandatory Training Group
The Mandatory Training Group is one of the leading UK providers of CPDUK-accredited statutory and mandatory training, continuing professional development (CPD) courses, eLearning software and workforce development solutions for all sectors.
By making things simple and designing interactive e-learning content, we can provide meaningful training programs at all levels and enhance the capacity and resilience of individuals and organisations.
Click here to see our wide range of accredited social care mandatory training programmes.
Related blog articles
Click on the links below to read more articles from our team:
References and resources
CQC (2023) - Care Quality Commission.
Health and Safety Executive (2020) - Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
HM Government (1974) - Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
HM Government (2005) - Mental Capacity Act 2005.
HM Government (2013) - The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.
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