The Care Certificate is an identified set of standards that health and social care workers adhere to in their daily working life. Designed with the non-regulated workforce in mind, the Care Certificate gives everyone the confidence that workers have the same introductory skills, knowledge and behaviours to provide compassionate, safe and high quality care and support.

The Care Certificate consists of the following 15 Standards:

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 Disabilities

10. Safeguarding Adults

11. Safeguarding Children

12. Basic Life Support

13. Health and Safety

14. Handling Information

15. Infection Prevention and Control

No. The Care Certificate is part of a structured induction but does not replace all of the learning required for staff induction. As well as the Care Certificate standards new staff will be expected to have information, knowledge and competencies specific to the environment in which care will be provided. For example, new staff may receive information on how to report accidents, and what to do in case of fire which will be specific to the location in which they work. The Care Certificate programme will not focus on the skills and knowledge needed to work safely and effectively in a particular location. The content of this remains the employer’s responsibility.

No, to be awarded the Care Certificate the person must acquire knowledge and demonstrate competence in all 15 standards. Assessment of knowledge and understanding is prefixed with verbs such as ‘describe’, ‘explain’, ‘define’, ‘list’ or ‘identify’ and can be based upon written or verbal evidence such as a workbook, written questions, case studies or sound files. Evidence of performance prefixed with words such as ‘demonstrate’, ‘take steps to’, ‘use’ or ‘show’ must be undertaken in the workplace during learners’ real work activity and observed by the assessor (unless the use of simulation is specifically allowed). Learners can practice and develop their skills in a classroom or similar setting but most of the assessment evidence must be collected during real work activity.

During the piloting of the Care Certificate in 2014, the indication was that for a full-time member of staff, the average amount of time taken to complete the Care Certificate was 12 weeks.

It is likely that employers will find that the time taken to complete the certificate will vary depending upon a range of factors, including; the hours worked by the learner, teaching methods chosen, previous educational achievement, resources and opportunities for assessment, and the availability of assessors

Yes, WHC offers a range of accredited courses which are mandatory for all employees to complete:

• Medication

• Pressure Ulcer Awareness

• Catheter and Stoma Awareness

• Level 2 Principles of End-of-Life Care

• Level 2 Moving and Handling of People

• Level 2 Positive Behavioural Approach