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Essential training

Three funded packages of learning are now available in response to COVID-19. The rapid induction programme (aimed at new staff), refresher training (aimed at existing staff) and a volunteer programme.

We know the value of face-to-face training has been missed, and as the remaining legal restrictions have been removed in the government’s living with COVID-19 plan, you may be considering the safe reintroduction of in person training.

Cases of COVID-19 remain present. We must continue to protect those most vulnerable to the virus, so we need to be cautious when managing the risk to ourselves and others. We encourage you to continue to use our risk assessment guidance when planning face to face delivery.  

 

Guidance for employers, learning providers and in-house trainers on face-to-face training and assessment
PDF - 1.07Mb
Guidance below to assist you with the risk assessment process for face-to-face training where digital solutions are not suitable for the delivery of training and assessment. 

 

The three packages of learning

Rapid induction programme

New workers will need to complete all of the following: assisting and moving people; basic life support; fire safety; food safety; health ans safety awareness; infection prevention and control; medication management and safeguarding (specifically around isolation). The rapid induction also contains the main knowledge elements from the Care Certificate Standards Self-Assessment Tool.

The Care Certificate Standards Self-Assessment Tool
PDF - 1.84Mb
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, in order for them to continue to work safely.

There are 8 topic areas and employees can be put on one or several of these depending on their need. The 8 topic areas are assisting and moving people; basic life support; fire safety; food safety; health and safety awareness; infection prevention and control; medication management and safeguarding (specifically around isolation).

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.

 

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.  

 

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. The deadline to claim funding is 31 May 2022.

Create an account

 

You need to create an account add your workplace details – if you are 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.

Individual employers won’t have an ASC-WDS account so the above points do not apply to you.

Our aim, working with the DHSC, 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, e-learning including video based e-learning, observation of practical competence where required and guided support. Various trainer support options are also available including, video interaction, phone, email and interactive chat. 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.

 

Cheryl Wallace

07815 612551 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • eLearning with assessment
  • Interactive webinars
  • Text and email support

Sarah Jolley

07957 535 384 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • eLearning with assessement 
  • Technical issues support
  • Text and email support

Annette Heath

01642 602600 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • eLearning with assessment
  • Interactive webinars
  • Text and email support

Jack White

01255 446655 | Email 

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • eLearning with assessment
  • Video conferencing 
  • Virtual classrooms

Caroline Coleman

0845 070 6927 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • Virtual classrooms
  • Technical issues support
  • Text and email support

Michael Statham

0800 088 6109 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • eLearning with assessment 
  • Technical issues support
  • Text and email support

Ryan Davis 

0800 310 717 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • Text and email support
  • Interactive webinars
  • eLearning with assessment 

Steve Dickson

01726 885 123 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • eLearning with assessment 
  • Virtual classrooms
  • Technical issues support 

Maxine York

01376 573 999 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • eLearning with assessment 
  • Video conferencing 
  • Virtual classrooms 

Ann Moulder

0121 510 2169 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • eLearning with assessment 
  • Text and email support 
  • Video conferencing 

Lynda

020 3397 9734 | Email

Visit the website

Support and delivery:

  • eLearning with assessment 
  • Technical issues support
  • Text and email support  

 

Michelle Hillier

01727 733 999 | Email

Vist the website

Support and delivery: 

  • Virtual classrooms
  • Technical issues support 
  • Text and email support 

 

Rapid induction and refresher training 

Workers who need to assist and move people are required to be trained in such tasks. If annual face to face refresher courses are not yet assessed as safe, they can be undertaken online, and some observations of competence can be carried out physically in the same room by suitably skilled managers or virtually by a qualified trainer using video conferencing. If workers are not deemed competent, additional training will be required and this could be done virtually if required.

We highly recommend that employers risk assess this training to ensure that any aspects not covered as robustly as during face to face training, are mitigated against. Employers should also keep a record of gaps in training and ensure they are readdressed once face to face training has been assessed as safe to deliver again.

Organisations must provide adequate personnel to respond if someone is taken ill or injured. Training should therefore continue in order to ensure enough staff remain competent to manage such situations. It is your decision, as an employer, how many staff are required to complete training.  First Aid must be refreshed every 3 years for the worker to be considered competent. 

We recommend workers refresh their basic life support training at least annually and this can be completed online.

The Resuscitation Council UK have released specific COVID-19 Guidance including specific guidance on CPR and resuscitation which we recommend all workers are familiarised with.

Workers must understand how to promote fire safety and organisations have a responsibility to ensure staff know how to respond if a fire were to break out.  Annual refresher courses can be undertaken online, and observations of competence can be carried out physically in the same room by suitably skilled managers or virtually by a qualified trainer using video conferencing.

If workers are not deemed competent, additional training will be required and this can be done virtually.

All workers involved in the preparation or provision of food are required, by law, to have received appropriate training. Three-yearly refresher courses and courses for new workers can be undertaken online, and observations of competence can be carried out physically in the same room by suitably skilled managers or virtually by a qualified trainer using video conferencing.

Employers are required to provide health and safety awareness training; this includes moving and handling objects. Annual refresher courses can be undertaken online, and observations of competence can be carried out physically in the same room by suitably skilled managers or virtually by a qualified trainer using video conferencing.

If workers are not deemed competent, additional training will be required and this can be done virtually.

Due to the current public health situation, employers must ensure that all staff are trained, including in the use of PPE, personal hygiene and hand washing. Annual refresher courses can be undertaken online, and observations of competence can be carried out physically in the same room by suitably skilled managers or virtually by a qualified trainer using video conferencing. Managers must monitor practices and address any concerns immediately.

There are a number of digital learning resources available.

Workers must be able to administer medication safely and understand their role in the administration of medication – including if they are not allowed to. They must not be allowed to administer any medication without being signed off as competent. Annual competency assessments must continue.

If there are any concerns about a worker’s competence, they must cease medication activity until they have undertaken additional training and are deemed competent once more. Training can be delivered online.

Workers must be able to recognise and report abuse and reduce the risk of abuse occurring. Workers may need additional training in how to safeguard individuals when isolating.

Annual refresher courses can be undertaken online, and observations of competence can be carried out physically in the same room by suitably skilled managers or virtually by a qualified trainer using video conferencing.

If workers are not deemed competent, additional training will be required and this can be done virtually.

 

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