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Common Induction Standards

 

Skills for Care is refreshing the Common Induction Standards (CIS) to ensure they reflect current policy and practice.

We would like to hear your views on whether you think the Common Induction Standards cover the key areas for new workers to assure they are safe and appropriate to practice, please click on the link below for more details.

Common Induction Standards (CIS) refresh consultation

 

Skills for Care, the strategic development body for the adult social care workforce in England, launched the Common Induction Standards (CIS) in 2005.

The standards are designed for people entering social care, and those changing roles or employers within adult social care.

They are designed to be met within a 12-week period, and were developed to reflect NVQ requirements and the General Social Care Council Codes of Practice.

The General Social Care Council is currently preparing the requirements for registration for social care workers.

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has developed the standards and supporting documents for children's social care workers' induction.

The 12-week CIS induction period enables care workers to give high quality care and support, provide recognition for their work, and prepare them for entry onto NVQ health and social care programmes.

The four CIS documents are available to download at the bottom of the page.
These are: the standards with a glossary which outlines how they link to NVQ requirements; a manager's guide; a guide for new workers; and a certificate for managers to sign to confirm that standards have been met.

Skills for Care has developed priced publications (see bookshop link below) to support use of the CIS. These include guidance for managers on conducting a skills scan to help them assess whether new workers are safe to work unsupervised.

Skills for Care bookshop - www.skillsforcarepublications.org.uk

 

There are six Common Induction Standards:

  • understanding principles of care
  • understanding the organisation and role of the worker
  • maintaining safety at work
  • communicating effectively
  • recognising and responding to abuse and neglect
  • developing as a worker.

Each standard contains a number of areas of knowledge that care workers need to know about before they can work unsupervised.

Managers have a duty to ensure new staff know enough to meet the required outcomes in each knowledge area.

How this knowledge is gained is flexible and can include observation, reading books, attending training courses or discussion with other care workers.

Managers assess staff progress themselves, as Skills for Care believes that line managers are best placed to make sure induction of new staff is carried out properly.

The CIS provide a structured start for new care staff. A structured start, alongside opportunities for professional development, plays an important part in improved staff retention.

New workers in services supporting people with learning disabilities are now required to use the Learning Disability Induction Award. The award covers all the areas required by the Common Induction Standards, with a learning disability orientation.