2025 Care Certificate Standards: Comprehensive Updates and Key Changes

The Care Certificate standards underwent significant revisions in March 2025, introducing substantial content updates, reorganised learning outcomes, and clearer formatting across all standards. Stakeholders, including employers, training providers, and programme owners, are advised to thoroughly review their resources to reflect these updates and comply with the revised standards.

General Updates to All Standards

Several overarching updates were applied across all standards:

• Formatting and Numbering: Criteria formatting and numbering were revised for improved clarity and ease of navigation.
• Updated Terminology: Language adjustments made to align with current practices, policies, and legislation.
• Elimination of Redundancies: Duplication across standards was removed, with some criteria consolidated to enhance conciseness.
• Refreshed Guidance: Standard-specific guidance was updated to better support learners and employers in understanding expectations.
• Glossary Enhancements: Additional definitions were added to the glossary, ensuring greater clarity on key terms.

Key Changes by Standard

Standard 1: Understand Own Role

• Learning Outcome 1.1: Expanded content to emphasize identifying opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• Learning Outcome 1.3: Strengthened content around responsibilities for supporting key individuals, advocates, and others important to the person being cared for.

Standard 2: Your Personal Development

• Learning Outcome 2.2:
  • Digital skills incorporated into the descriptions of essential functional skills.
  • Greater focus added to how reflective learning enhances knowledge, skills, and overall understanding.

Standard 3: Duty of Care

• Learning Outcome 3.1: Included the legal definition of the duty of candour to reinforce ethical practices in care settings.

Standard 4: Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights (Updated Title)

• Human Rights Focus: Integrated throughout all learning outcomes within the standard.
• Learning Outcome 4.1:
  • Added detailed explanations of protected characteristics.
  • Introduced discussions on bias and discrimination to foster inclusivity.
• Learning Outcome 4.2:
  • Shifted emphasis from traditional values to providing culturally appropriate care.
  • New criteria to guide learners on recognizing, challenging, and reporting discrimination in line with organizational policies.

Action Recommended: Conduct a thorough review to capture terminology updates and ensure materials reflect formatting changes.

Standard 5: Work in a Person-Centred Way

• Learning Outcome 5.1: Expanded content to include relationships significant to the individual being cared for.
• Learning Outcome 5.3:
  • Previously part of Standard 9, this outcome now centers on mental capacity.
  • Content now includes relevant legislation, best interest decision-making, and advance directives.
• Learning Outcome 5.5: Broadened scope to recognize and address emotional distress alongside physical pain or discomfort.
• Learning Outcome 5.6: Adjusted terminology from emotional and spiritual wellbeing to holistic “wellbeing.”

Action Recommended: Prioritize a detailed review and integration of these changes.

Standard 6: Communication

• Learning Outcome 6.2: Introduced guidance on leveraging digital tools and assistive technologies for effective communication.
• Learning Outcome 6.3: Added content addressing how behavior may function as a form of communication.
• Learning Outcome 6.6: Emphasized the safe use of communication tools, including aids and technologies.

Action Recommended: Update learning resources to incorporate digital communication practices.

Standard 7: Privacy and Dignity

• Learning Outcome 7.1: Refocused on maintaining the privacy and dignity of individuals.
• Learning Outcome 7.5: Expanded emphasis on preserving independence and fostering community connections to support relationships.

Standard 8: Fluids and Nutrition

• Learning Outcome 8.1: New guidance added to support identification and reporting of potential risks related to nutrition and hydration.
• Learning Outcome 8.3: Expanded content to consider individuals with restricted liberty, mobility, or movement.

Standard 9: Awareness of Mental Health and Dementia (Updated Title)

• Refocused Content: Topics related to learning disabilities and autism moved to the newly created Standard 16.
• Learning Outcome 9.1:
  • Definitions for mental health, dementia, and mental well-being now included.
  • Introduced common mental health conditions for learner awareness.
• Learning Outcome 9.3: Highlighted the importance of making reasonable adjustments for individuals accessing health and care services.
• Learning Outcome 9.4:
  • Expanded guidance on early recognition of mental health deterioration and dementia.
  • Content added to support engagement with individuals and carers, along with signposting to relevant services.

Standard 10: Adult Safeguarding (Updated Title)

• Updated Language: Terminology now consistently aligned with the Care Act 2014.
• Learning Outcome 10.1:
  • Included the legal definition of adults at risk.
  • Expanded content to cover restrictive practices and technological risks.
• Learning Outcome 10.2: Replaced “vulnerable” with “at risk from harm or abuse” to reflect current best practices.

Action Recommended: Perform a detailed review of these adjustments.

Standards 11 and 12: Safeguarding Children and Basic Life Support

• No changes were made to these standards.

Standard 13: Health and Safety

• Shifted emphasis from managing stress to promoting mental health and overall well-being.
• Added criteria to help learners identify common triggers for poor well-being and use support resources effectively.

Standard 14: Handling Information

• Expanded guidance on accessing information in care environments.
• Added emphasis on identifying and reporting risks related to data security and breaches.

Standard 15: Infection Prevention and Control

This standard was comprehensively revised and expanded:

• Greater focus on infection causes and how standard precautions can mitigate risks.
• Content now includes effective hand hygiene practices and considerations for personal health risks.
• Clear guidance provided on using PPE, cleaning techniques, and safe disposal methods.

Action Recommended: Perform a thorough review to incorporate all new and revised content.

Standard 16: Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism (New Standard)

• Learning disability and autism content migrated from Standard 9 into this dedicated section.
• Expanded focus directs employers to provide learning specific to these areas of care.

Additional Recommendations

To ensure compliance with the revised Care Certificate standards:

1. Use the updated Care Certificate Self-Assessment Tool and Employer Guide for alignment.
2. Conduct a comprehensive audit of all existing learning materials, resources, and delivery models.
3. Integrate new content systematically for both learners and trainers to ensure compliance.

This summary highlights substantial changes aimed at improving understanding, supporting best practices in care, and ensuring all revised Care Certificate standards are effectively embedded across care training programmes starting in 2025.

For a more detailed summary of changes please visit Skills for Care