Introduction to Care Course | The Care Certificate

This comprehensive course has been developed to meet the requirements for new and existing staff working in nursing homes, residential care, domiciliary care, and other health and social care settings. It ensures full compliance with the 2025 Care Certificate standards, including the newly added Standard 16: Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism, and supports employer-led induction in line with CQC guidelines and Skills for Care recommendations.

Course Content

What is covered on the course?

All 16 Care Certificate standards are covered in this package. In addition, we have included important knowledge-based subjects that underpin safe, professional care delivery.

Each standard contains a number of knowledge areas that care workers must understand before working unsupervised. Managers are responsible for ensuring new staff meet the required outcomes in each area.

Course Aims

To induct staff into a care setting and to impart the knowledge required to carry out the role of a support worker.

• To induct staff into a care setting and provide the essential knowledge required to carry out the role of a support worker safely and professionally
• To develop competence, professionalism, and continuity across your workforce
• To help staff and organisations fulfil their duty of care to service users

Course Objectives

• Understand the role of the carer
• Identify how to access support mechanisms and key sources of information
• Demonstrate awareness of workplace policies and procedures
• Understand the duty of care towards those using services, including the Duty of Candour
• Deliver person-centred care and planning
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Work in a safe, reflective, and professional manner
• Recognise the care and support a client may require
• Understand personal limitations in all aspects of care
• Understand the importance of clear, accurate recording and reporting
• Recognise and support individuals with mental health conditions, dementia, learning disabilities, and autism
• Understand the characteristics and communication needs of people with autism, including sensory differences and behaviour that challenges
• Demonstrate safe moving and handling of people, including the use of equipment
• Demonstrate awareness of relevant Health and Safety legislation, including mental wellbeing
• Understand and apply RIDDOR and CoSHH regulations
• Discuss and implement infection prevention measures including PPE, hygiene protocols, and post-pandemic best practice
• Identify the key components of food safety
• Support clients in maintaining safe food and fluid intake
• Recognise the safeguarding needs of both adults and children
• Know how to respond to disclosures of abuse
• Explain whistleblowing procedures
• Respond to an unresponsive casualty
• Demonstrate Adult and Child CPR
• Manage a choking casualty
• Respond appropriately to bleeding injuries

The 16 standards in the Care Certificate are:

1. Understand your role
2. Your personal development
3. Duty of care
4. Equality and diversity
5. Work in a person centred way
6. Communication
7. Privacy and dignity
8. Fluids and nutrition
9. Awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disability
10. Safeguarding adults
11. Safeguarding Children
12. Basic Life Support
13. Health and Safety
14. Handling information
15. Infection prevention and control
16. Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism (New)

Course Assessment and Certification

How is the qualification assessed?

The course is assessed in the form of a multiple-choice examination, where the candidate must answer at least 20 out of 30 questions correctly. The examination will take a maximum of 1 hour to complete. Practical assessments will also have to be completed on the Basic Life Support and People Handling and Hoist Techniques.

Certification and Employer Responsibility

Please note:

The Care Certificate is not a nationally awarded or externally accredited qualification. As outlined in the 2025 Care Certificate standards, it is the responsibility of the employer to assess, sign off and certify staff once they have demonstrated the required skills, knowledge and behaviours in the workplace. Our course provides the foundational knowledge and practical training aligned with all 16 Care Certificate standards, including the updated Standard 16: Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism. Completion of this training is designed to support a robust employer-led induction and assist your organisation in meeting CQC and Skills for Care expectations. Employers must follow up with competency-based assessment in the workplace and maintain appropriate records of induction and certification.

What do I do next?

New induction staff can then progress onto a 12 week induction programme implemented by their employer, who will need to monitor and assess staff to complete the Care Certificate. Existing staff who have already completed their induction will need to complete the Care Certificate within 6 months.

For more information on how to complete the Care Certificate, including employer responsibilities and assessment guidance, click here.