What the care certificate means for frontline staff, managers and employers

The certificate is an attempt to set a minimum level of training for care workers and healthcare assistants

The care certificate, an attempt to set a standard, minimum level of training for care workers and healthcare assistants, came into force at the beginning of April. The outcome of a review by Times journalist Camilla Cavendish [pdf], it introduces more regulation into roles where training can vary wildly between organisations and, its proponents believe, will improve the quality and safety of care as a result.

The certificate replaces the national minimum training standards for healthcare, and the common induction standards in social care, and is meant to make it easier to move between jobs in both sectors. With the introduction of the Care Act – which also came into force in April – the significance of the care certificate has been slightly overshadowed. It is, nonetheless, a big change for both health and social care, and will have a different impact depending on your role. Here’s what it means for frontline staff, managers and employers.

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