Q. Where can I find out more about the Fundamental Standards and how it changes my organisation’s induction training?
A. Skillsforcare.org.uk, nhs.uk and our own Additional Information page will give further explanation and guidance useful for any organisations trying to implement the new Care Certificate training.
Q. How can I cut down the cost of each trainee’s Care Certificate training?
A. Have a look at the training you already provide in-house and see where the gaps are, for example you may not currently include CPR training. Once you have identified your gaps look to buy only the training you need to fill the gaps not the whole course.
Q. How do I implement Workplace Assessments?
A. Workplace Assessments are an essential part of the Care Certificate process and you can either develop an assessment process in-house, and provide a copy as evidence for the Care Certificate, or you can employ a company such as Fundamental Care Training to carry out the assessments for you.
Q. Some of my workers have completed an NVQ 2 or above. Do they need to complete the Care Certificate also?
A. Yes, if they are new to your organisation. NVQ is about assessing the knowledge and skills a trainee has. The Care Certificate is about teaching the knowledge and skills required for Health and Social Care. We can reduce the amount of training they need to undertake by using the evidence they have gathered in their NVQ folder as evidence that they have already gained some of the knowledge required in the Fundamental Standards.
Q. Can employees who are not new to Health or Social Care complete the Care Certificate?
A. Yes, it is not a compulsory requirement but if they choose to do so and you are willing to fund it, we can arrange it.
Q. Is there funding available to offset the cost of the Care Certificate training?
A. Partly, yes. The skillsforcare website gives details of the Workforce Development Fund. This can be used to recoup part of the cost of induction training and the site tells you how to do this.
Q. What if someone attends the course but does not pass?
A. It is very unlikely that this would happen as not passing means that despite our best efforts the individual does not have the skills and knowledge to work safely as a Health or Social Care worker. Our courses are designed to maximise the potential for the individual to pass and failing to do so will mean that they are not safe for you to employ. Usually a person with these issues would be identified earlier on in the recruitment process. If the person does fail we will provide a full report on why and what needs to be done to increase their likelihood of passing in the future. Once you have taken the agreed actions we can provide ½ price course re-attendance for a second chance.
Q. How long does the course take?
A. Each module is ½ a day. The full care certificate course is 3 ½ days and the Workplace Assessment is 2-3 hours. A care certificate is issued within one week of all required modules, assessments and evidence being completed and submitted.