The Care Certificate and Recruitment Agencies

The Care Certificate was introduced in April 2015 to replace both the Common Induction Standards and the National Minimum Training Standards for all staff new to the healthcare and social care sectors. It came about as a result of the Francis Inquiry which looked into the serious failings at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust. Following this report, Camilla Cavendish was asked to review the recruitment, training and support of care workers within both the healthcare and social care sectors. One of the recommendations of the Cavendish Review (July 2013) was to standardise the approach to induction training across the sectors with the development of the Care Certificate.

Who needs to complete the Care Certificate?  

All staff new to care need to complete the Care Certificate within the first 12 weeks in their role. Staff who have previously completed the Common Induction Standards do not need to complete the Care Certificate, although some employers may wish to “top up” their learning and competency assessments in order to award the Care Certificate.

What does the Care Certificate cover? 

The Care Certificate has 15 standards and clearly sets out the learning outcomes, competences and standards of care that will be expected. It aims to ensure the sector prepares caring, compassionate staff who will provide quality care. The standards are: 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

How is the Care Certificate assessed?

The major difference between the Care Certificate and previous induction training is that certain elements require that a workplace assessment of competence is undertaken by an occupationally competent assessor. Training courses, e-learning, workbooks, seminars and supervisions can be combined to deliver the standards, however the Care Certificate cannot be awarded without direct workplace assessment. Once awarded, the Care Certificate is the property of the individual, and unlike previous induction training it is transferable between employers.

Will agency workers have the Care Certificate?

During the consultation period ENS Recruitment provided input about the position of agency workers. We were concerned that agencies will not be able to award the Care Certificate due to the fact that agency workers cannot be directly assessed in the workplace by the agency, as they are under the direction and supervision of the client. After the details of the Care Certificate were published we contacted Skills for Care who have now clarified their position on this; the relevant part is quoted below:

“It would not be possible for recruitment agencies who do not directly deliver care themselves to complete the Care Certificate for new workers coming into the sector.  This is because the Care Certificate can only be signed off and issued by organisations who directly deliver care themselves. Recruitment agencies can help the process by providing training associated with the Care Certificate. Providing evidence of past training and qualifications can help the care organisations where the temporary workers will then be placed to determine what else needs to be trained and assessed in the workplace.” 

What will ENS deliver in our induction?

ENS have mapped our training courses to ensure that we meet all of the requirements of the 15 standards set out in the Care Certificate. We cover all of the theoretical elements of the standards and the practical training that we can evidence using simulated activity. As explained above we will be unable to award agency workers with the Care Certificate as we cannot complete the workplace assessment elements. However, we will provide evidence of these courses and competencies to our clients.

If you need any further guidance or information on the Care Certificate then please contact Catherine Lawrence, ENS Head of Operations at clawrence@ensrgroup.co.uk.