Mandatory and statutory training for adult social care

Detailed Refresher Training Summary 

This comprehensive guide outlines the structured frequency and prerequisites for refresher training in various key areas within the health and social care sector as per the most recent guidelines provided by Skills for Care.

Specific Training Areas

1. Health and Safety Awareness

   • Frequency: At a minimum, every three years.
   • Special Conditions: A grace period for the refresher is permitted if the worker has completed an accredited adult social care qualification covering health and safety awareness within this timeframe. This recognises prior learning and application in the field, delaying the need for refresher training until three years from the qualification’s completion date.

2. Fire Safety

   • Frequency: Every three years at the least.
   • Special Conditions: Refresher training can be deferred if fire safety has been adequately covered in a recent, recognised qualification. The aim is to ensure all personnel maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in fire safety without unnecessary repetition.

3. Moving and Handling Objects

   • Frequency: Mandatory refresher training every three years.
   • Special Conditions: Successfully completing relevant adult social care qualifications may prolong the interval between required refresher sessions, acknowledging the comprehensive handling training these qualifications often include.

4. Infection Prevention and Control

   • Frequency: A three-year minimum refresh rate.
   • Special Conditions: Holding valid, relevant qualifications can delay the immediate need for refresher training, ensuring staff remains versed in critical infection control practices without redundancy.

5. Adult Safeguarding

   • Frequency: Not less than every three years.
   • Special Conditions: Situational changes such as new care or support needs, or the introduction of novel risks, might necessitate more frequent refresher training. The possession of recognised qualifications might influence the scheduling of these refreshers.

6. Basic Life Support and First Aid

   • Basic Life Support Frequency: Advised annually or as identified by assessments.
   • First Aid Frequency: Recommended every three years.
   • Special Conditions: The specific requirements for first aid training may vary based on an employer’s evaluation of need, reflecting the importance of immediate and effective first aid response in emergencies.

7. Assisting and Moving People

   • Frequency: Required at least every three years.
   • Special Conditions: The introduction of new equipment or identified risks necessitates timely refresher training, irrespective of the general timetable, to uphold safety and efficacy in care provision.

8. Child Safeguarding

   • Frequency: Every three years, with potential adjustments contingent upon the achievement of the Care Certificate standards or an equivalent adult social care qualification.
   • Special Conditions: Emphasises the need for current knowledge in safeguarding practices, tailored to evolving risks and standards within the sector.

9. Learning Disability and Autism Awareness

   • Frequency: Not explicitly stated; likely dictated by regulatory or organisational requirements.
   • Special Conditions: Reflects an understanding that such training needs to be responsive to developing practices and insights within care for those with learning disabilities and autism.

10. Food Hygiene

• Frequency: Every three years.
• Special Conditions: Increased frequency may be warranted by new risks, activities, or outbreaks, underlining the critical nature of food hygiene in care settings.

11. Medication Administration
    • Frequency: Annual reviews of training needs and competency are crucial, with particular attention to changes in care needs, associated risks, or alterations in medication practices.
    • Special Conditions: The timelines for refresher training are sensitive to policy shifts, introduction of new medication types, or methods of administration, ensuring safety and compliance.

Overall Guidelines for Refresher Training

• Proactive Approach: Any significant change in care or support needs, introduction of new risks, or procedures mandates a reassessment of training frequencies.
• Competency and Training Relevance: Regular competency evaluations and the ongoing relevance of training content are vital. This ensures that all staff are both up-to-date with their skills and knowledge and capable of delivering care that is both safe and effective.

This detailed summary serves as a foundation for implementing or updating staff training programmes, guaranteeing that all refresher training is in line with the latest Skills for Care guidelines and tailored to specific organisational requirements.