What training is required to work as a caregiver in the UK?
With so many vulnerable people in society, from young children to disabled adults, carers play such an important role in many families around the UK. The job of a carer in the UK is extremely demanding, but at the same time immensely rewarding.
Though in order to become a carer in the UK, formal qualifications are not essential, they do help with job prospects and future progression. However, being a carer is not easy. A carer has to go through a variety of training to improve their skills before they attend to a client in their home.
Carer training is a very important part of both compliance and personal development when it comes to the care industry in the UK, and indeed, there are many types of training that are entirely mandatory to be able to work as a carer.
They also assist you to carry out your role as a carer more efficiently and provide higher-quality care in the UK.
Also, healthcare workers and carers who provide care at home need a good introduction to their jobs and annual refresher training to make sure they are up to date on best practises and legal requirements.
So, if you are looking to become a carer in the UK, whether you are a fresher or looking for a job change, you will need the training to make yourself competitive in the market. In this article, we will discuss the various mandatory training requirements required to work as a carer in the UK, what they mean, and how to make the right decision before you set off on your journey as a carer.
What is mandatory training for a carer in the UK?
It is important to understand at this stage that the phrase 'mandatory training' can mean two things: In the case where mandatory and statutory training is differentiated, mandatory training is of the type that a care provider in the UK believes is essential to carrying out the role safely and effectively but isn't necessarily legal or a matter of compliance. Statutory training, on the other hand, is required by law to be completed in order for the organisation to meet its obligations when it comes to governing bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or laws such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. (HSWA).
However, in the care industry, it is very common for the term 'mandatory training' to refer to any kind of training that a carer must undergo, whether it is training deemed essential by the employer for the purpose of effectively carrying out the role or training that must legally be completed. If you are unsure as to which definition is being used, check with your employer, authority, or training provider. However, the distinction between the two terms is usually unimportant, as it always refers to mandatory training.
What are the most common requirements in the UK?
In this article, we are going to discuss all kinds of essential training, whether deemed such by the employer or the law.
It is critical to understand that there is and will never be a comprehensive list of training requirements for the care industry. This is because there are so many different jobs in the industry, different authorities (such as the CQC and local governments), and, of course, constant updates to the relevant laws and guidelines. For example, one authority may require all carers in the homecare industry to take a food hygiene class, whereas another may not.
With this in mind, let's look at some of the most common types of mandatory training in the homecare industry.
1. Health and safety
This is probably the most common compliance issue for all businesses in the UK. The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 is the main law that deals with it. As a result, general training courses on this subject are generally mandatory across the care industry. This is, of course, related to fire safety, which is critical for all workers.
2. Manual handling
Manual handling issues are responsible for many sick days and long-term health issues among carers, which is why manual handling is one of the most common types of training in all industries. In the homecare industry, this may be accompanied by training on how to move people safely.
3. Infection prevention and control
This helps to ensure that the homecare provider and carer do not infect the client and protect those in their care. If the patient becomes infected by the carer while being treated at home, they will be forced to leave until the home is disinfected. This can be problematic in the case of patients with mobility issues or dementia, where even minor changes in the environment can cause frustration.
4. Safeguarding adults and children
This is another very important part of providing a safe service and being aware of social care in general. As a result, the CQC mandates that carers take the relevant training.
5. Equality, diversity, and human rights
This is now one of the most pressing issues in UK healthcare and homecare. In fact, laws like the Human Rights Act of 1998 and the Equality Act of 2010 require that people get training on these topics.
6. Food safety and hygiene
This is critical to keep in mind when a carer provides food and nutrition to patients in their homes. As a result, it is usually considered mandatory for a carer to receive at least basic training in this subject in order to ensure that safe food is served to patients.
These are some of the most common mandatory training requirements for carers in the UK. However, depending on the service provided by the carer, this may change, as additional carers may need to attend additional training programmes.
Nurses Group Homecare is a leading provider of care in Yeovil, UK. We offer a wide range of homecare services to improve people's lives in the comfort of their own homes. Our carers are well-equipped, and we provide them with on-the-job and off-the-job training to help them overcome knowledge gaps.