What training is mandatory for people who work in care?

Whether you’re considering a career in care or running an organisation that provides care services, this article will explain what training and qualifications are mandatory for care staff and why high-quality training is so important within the sector.

Why is staff training important in care homes?

The importance of mandatory training in the care sector cannot be overstated. Anyone who requires health or care services should have confidence that they’ll receive care that is not only of the highest quality but also safe, effective, and compassionate. Sick and vulnerable people place their trust – and sometimes even their lives – in the hands of care services, making it critical to maintain consistently high standards of care.

Mandatory training for care staff

In the UK, there are many laws that govern the mandatory training requirements for the workplace, including those in the care sector. These laws include the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010, Health and Social Care Act 2008, and Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

Core training required to meet these laws includes:

• Health and safety – This training covers general safety protocols, risk assessments, and the correct use of safety equipment, providing care staff with the fundamental knowledge required to protect themselves and the people they care for.
• Fire safety – Fire safety training equips care staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent fire incidents and handle them safely if they occur. This training typically includes fire prevention techniques, evacuation procedures, and the correct use of fire-fighting equipment.
• Equality, diversity, and human rights – This topic helps care staff understand the importance of treating all individuals fairly and equally, regardless of their background, age, or gender. It emphasises respect for human rights and teaches strategies to combat discrimination and prejudice.
• Infection prevention and control – crucial for all healthcare settings; this training covers the essential practices to prevent the spread of infections. It includes hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and waste management.
• Manual handling – Care staff often need to lift or move patients or heavy objects. Manual handling training teaches the correct techniques to do so safely, minimising the risk of injury.

In addition to these acts and regulations, care workers must have received training that equips them with the knowledge and skills required to meet the CQC fundamental standards – a set of standards everyone has the right to expect from care services. This includes training such as Safeguarding, First Aid, Medication Management, and Food Hygiene.

Care training courses with CBAT

Here at Care Business Associate Training, we are proud to be one of the UK’s leading care training providers.

Our professional training courses are delivered by trainers with extensive practical experience. We offer high-quality care training, including dementia awareness, infection control, and medication management courses. We also offer bespoke training if required, tailoring your training course to your needs.

For more information, either browse and book a training course online or speak to a member of our team by emailing sales@cba-training.co.uk or calling 01772 816 922.