Three packages of learning are available. The rapid induction programme (aimed at new staff), refresher training (aimed at existing staff) and a volunteer programme were set up as a Covid-19 response and will be discontinued at the end of the financial year.
Funding remains available this year and we encourage you to sign learners up and complete the funded training. Training must be completed by 31 March 2024.
The three packages of learning
Rapid induction programme
The rapid induction programme is for new workers and should be completed in its entirety, which includes a workplace induction, within five days. Rapid induction contains the main knowledge elements from the Care Certificate Standards and includes all refresher training topics set out below.
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The Care Certificate self-assessment tool can be used prior to health and social care workers commencing their induction.
Refresher training
Aimed at staff who urgently need refresher training which has expired or will expire soon, for them to continue to work safely.
There are eight topic areas and employees can be put on one or several of these depending on their need. The eight topic areas are:
- assisting and moving people
- basic life support
- fire safety
- food safety
- health and safety awareness
- infection prevention and control
- medication management
- safeguarding
Where staff are being redeployed, the employer will need to assess the learning needs of the employee in the new role. If the role is significantly different, they may benefit from some of the training listed above. Staff training needs can be discussed with the endorsed learning provider.
With the Rapid Induction and Refresher training programmes, it is important to note that the topics areas include knowledge only components. It is the employer’s responsibility to identify the need for and provide additional practical elements of training and carry out competency checks where needed. This will ensure staff are competent to fulfil their role safely and effectively. This is of particular importance for assisting and moving people, medication administration and basic life support.
Volunteer programme
This includes an introduction to adult social care; role and responsibilities; whistleblowing; equality, diversity and person-centred values; telephone support and communication; pain and discomfort; infection prevention and control; food safety; fluids and hydration; health and safety and stress.
Are you interested in volunteering in social care?
You can access fully funded training to ensure you're equipped with the skills and knowledge you'll need.
To book a place, contact any of the endorsed learning providers from the Skills for Care endorsed learning providers list.
Funding limits
The number of funded courses available to volunteers or existing staff is a maximum of 400 for any organisation within a funding year. This limit doesn’t apply to the rapid induction programme for new workers.
Access the training
The endorsed learning providers have received grant funding to support you with the cost of this essential training during this period.
You must have an Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) account to access the funded training.
Create an account
You need to create an account and add your workplace details – if you're CQC regulated you can enter your location ID or postcode and confirm the details are correct. The account will be reviewed and approved by Skills for Care’s support team. Log in to your account and enter your total number of staff.
If you're an individual employer you won’t have an ASC-WDS account so the above points don't apply to you.
Our aim, working with the Department of Health and Social Care, is to help employers quickly train new recruits (including people redeploying around the sector). The funding for this training will be kept under review.
Training delivery approaches vary between providers but use a range of methods which include virtual classroom sessions with trainer interaction and eLearning including video based eLearning. Various trainer support options are also available including video interaction, phone, email and interactive chat. The training provider may be able to support you with practical elements of training and observations of practical competence. Contact the providers to discuss the training and support available.
Skills for Care endorsed learning providers
Your workforce still needs to provide person-centred care and support and be able to meet the diverse needs of the individuals they support. We have more endorsed providers delivering high quality training across a range of topics in our search directory.
Rapid induction and refresher training
It is the employer’s responsibility to identify the need for and provide additional practical elements of training and carry out competency checks where needed. This will ensure staff are competent to fulfil their role safely and effectively. This is of particular importance for assisting and moving people, medication administration and basic life support.
Further information on recommended core and mandatory training including content of learning and refresher periods can be located on our core and mandatory training webpage.
FAQs
Take a look at our FAQ's