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Duty of Candour Course (Level 4)
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This Duty of Candour training explains the two types of candour, Regulation 20, notifiable safety incidents, the importance of saying sorry and applying candour in practice. It is suitable for healthcare and social care staff who need practical knowledge of responding openly when something goes wrong, supporting safer services and professional standards.
Duty of Candour Course (Level 4) Summary
Course Name: Duty of Candour Course (Level 4)
Duration: 1 Hour
Delivery: Online Training Course
Certificate Included: Instant Digital Certificate
Accreditation: CPD Accredited
Suitable For: Healthcare and social care professionals, care providers, managers, registered managers and staff requiring induction, refresher, awareness or knowledge-enhancement training
Assessment: Online Multiple Choice Test
Access: Instant Access
Duration
1 hour
CPD Points
1
Last Updated:
25 Jul 2026
What is Duty of Candour Course (Level 4) training?
The Duty of Candour Course (Level 4) provides training on the principles of being open and transparent when something goes wrong with care or treatment.
The course introduces learners to Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, including the concept of notifiable safety incidents and the requirements surrounding candour. CQC states that statutory and professional duties of candour have similar aims, although their regulatory basis differs.
Learners explore the two types of duty of candour, understand why timely apologies are important, and consider how candour should be applied in workplace situations. This supports staff in communicating honestly, recognising relevant incidents and contributing to an open culture of safety.
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Who Is This Course For?
The Duty of Candour Course (Level 4) is designed for people working in healthcare and social care who may need to understand or contribute to open and transparent communication following safety incidents. It is suitable for care workers, healthcare assistants, nurses, support workers, care home staff, domiciliary care staff, managers, registered managers and other staff involved in patient or service-user care. It can also support workplace inductions, refresher training, awareness and knowledge enhancement.
Key Benefits
✓ Identify when different types of duty of candour may apply
✓ Understand the purpose and practical requirements of Regulation 20
✓ Recognise the significance of notifiable safety incidents
✓ Understand why a timely apology is an important part of candour
✓ Apply openness and transparency when responding to safety incidents
✓ Support a workplace culture focused on honesty, learning and safer care
Course Modules
- Duty of Candour – Course Introduction
- What is Regulation 20?
- Types of Candour
- Notifiable Safety Incidents
- Regulation 20 in Full
- Saying Sorry
- Duty of Candour in Practice
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Learning Outcomes
| Learner Outcome | Covered |
|---|---|
| Identify the two types of duty of candour | ✓ |
| Explain the purpose of Regulation 20 | ✓ |
| Describe the role of candour in healthcare and social care | ✓ |
| Recognise what constitutes a notifiable safety incident | ✓ |
| Demonstrate knowledge of the key requirements of Regulation 20 | ✓ |
| Explain why openness and transparency are important following safety incidents | ✓ |
| Explain the importance of providing a timely apology | ✓ |
| Recognise how saying sorry contributes to effective candour | ✓ |
| Apply the principles of duty of candour to workplace situations | ✓ |
| Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate candour practices following incidents | ✓ |
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What Our Learners Say?
“A useful course that clearly explained Regulation 20 and the importance of being honest after incidents.”
Sarah M
Care Home Manager
“Clear and straightforward training. The section on saying sorry was particularly useful for my role.”
David R
Healthcare Assistant
“Easy to follow and relevant to everyday care practice, especially when dealing with safety incidents.”
Joanne T
Senior Support Worker

4.89/5 from 607+ learners
Why Is Duty of Candour Course (Level 4) training important?
Duty of candour training helps staff understand how openness and honesty should be maintained when care or treatment does not go as expected. Effective candour can help reduce the risk of poor communication, support people affected by incidents and encourage organisations to learn from what happened.
CQC expects registered providers to have appropriate policies, systems and training so staff can implement the duty of candour and contribute to a culture of safety.
Understanding the importance of an appropriate apology is also essential. CQC explains that saying sorry is not an admission of liability and should form part of being open and transparent about harm caused.
For employers, suitable training can therefore support professional competence, consistent workplace procedures and evidence of staff development.
Is Duty of Candour Course (Level 4) training a legal requirement in the UK?
Duty of candour itself can be a legal requirement, but completing a specific online training course is not universally mandated by UK legislation.
In England, Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 places a statutory duty on CQC-regulated providers to act openly and transparently and sets specific requirements for notifiable safety incidents.
CQC states that providers should have training, policies and systems in place to enable employees to implement the duty effectively.
Professional duties of candour may also apply to individual healthcare professionals through their professional regulators.
Employers should therefore follow the requirements applicable to their sector, location, registration and professional role.
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Duty of Candour Course (Level 4) training FAQ?
What is Duty of Candour training?
Duty of Candour training teaches healthcare and social care staff about openness, honesty and transparency when something goes wrong with care or treatment. The course covers Regulation 20, types of candour, notifiable safety incidents, saying sorry and applying the duty of candour in practice.
Who needs Duty of Candour training?
Duty of Candour training is relevant to healthcare and social care professionals and staff who may be involved in patient or service-user care, incident reporting or communication following safety incidents. It can be used for care workers, support workers, healthcare assistants, nurses, managers, registered managers and other relevant workplace staff.
Is Duty of Candour training a legal requirement?
Completing a particular Duty of Candour training course is not itself universally required by UK law. However, in England, CQC-regulated providers have legal duties under Regulation 20 and are expected to have suitable training, policies and systems to help staff implement those requirements.
What is Regulation 20 Duty of Candour?
Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires CQC-regulated providers in England to act in an open and transparent way with relevant people receiving care or treatment. It also sets specific requirements when a notifiable safety incident occurs.
What are the two types of Duty of Candour?
The two types are statutory duty of candour and professional duty of candour. The statutory duty is set out in legislation and regulated by CQC for relevant providers in England. Professional duties are overseen by professional regulators such as the GMC, NMC and GDC and apply to the professionals they regulate.
What is a notifiable safety incident?
A notifiable safety incident is an unintended or unexpected incident arising during care or treatment that meets the relevant harm thresholds set out in the regulations. When an incident meets the statutory criteria, Regulation 20 sets out specific duties for the registered provider, including notification, support and appropriate communication.
Why is saying sorry important under the Duty of Candour?
An appropriate apology is an important part of being open and transparent when harm has occurred. CQC explains that saying sorry is not an admission of liability. A timely apology can acknowledge what happened, demonstrate compassion and support honest communication with the person affected or their representative.
How long does the Duty of Candour Course (Level 4) take?
The Duty of Candour Course (Level 4) takes approximately 1 hour to complete. It is delivered online and includes a multiple-choice assessment. On successful completion, learners receive an instant CPD-accredited digital certificate.
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