Care Certificate

At North Bristol NHS Trust, all health care support workers, also known as HCA’s, and housekeepers, complete the Care Certificate providing them with the skills, knowledge and behaviours to enable them to provide high quality safe patient care and support.

The Care Certificate can begin as part of the two week induction, and consists of classroom based learning, practical activities and a variety of learning opportunities to help new staff build their knowledge of their role and an understanding of the Care Certificate standards.

Existing staff are also able to complete the Care Certificate, and this will start at your appraisal. A Care Certificate handbook is then used to gather evidence of knowledge and competency in practice. Once completed, staff may progress to an apprenticeship, competency package or other individualised pathway to continue their development.

New staff will:

• Complete most of the handbook in the two week induction training, including MLE e-learning activities.
• Be supported to complete all of the handbook within the first two months.
• Have their competency sheet signed off by their 'Buddy' and Manager to provide evidence of competence in practice. (This should also include an example and comments.)
• Submit their completed handbook within two months to the Care Certificate Team.

Existing staff will:

• Receive a self-assessment booklet as part of their appraisal.
• Need to complete the self-assessment form and bring it to their appraisal with any supporting evidence, e.g. completed Care Certificate handbook and certificate, qualification certificates such as vocational qualifications, MLE e-learning records, records of study days attended, competency packages etc. This will help to identify any areas for development or gaps in knowledge.
• Review the self-assessment form with their Manager and agree a plan for any training or development to meet the standards. This may including completing part(s) or all of the Care Certificate handbook.
• Be signed off by a trained 'Buddy' on the ward, or their Manager.
• Submit a portfolio to the Care Certificate Team. This should include the self-assessment tool and supporting evidence such as MLE records, copies of certificate, self-reflections etc.

Care Certificate 'Buddies'

Staff undertaking their Care Certificate will receive support from 'Buddies', who are experienced Health Care Support Workers who have previously completed the certificate, and have experience in supporting others in learning and development.

'Buddies' will:

• Have completed the Care Certificate themselves and have worked in a healthcare support role for at least one year.
• Act as a mentor to support staff undertaking the certificate.
• Record workplace examples of how participants have met Care Certificate standards.

Care Certificate Standards

Healthcare support workers will need to demonstrate they are meeting the following standards in their work:

• Understand your role
• Your personal development
• Duty of care
• Equality and diversity
• Work in a person centred way
• Communication
• Privacy and dignity
• Fluids and nutrition
• Awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disabilities
• Safeguarding adults
• Safeguarding children
• Basic life support
• Health and safety
• Handling information
• Infection prevention and control