Gain the practical skills and confidence needed to provide high-quality care and support across healthcare settings.
The Care Certificate is the national induction programme for individuals starting their careers in health and social care in England. Developed by Skills for Care in partnership with NHS England and Skills for Health, the Care Certificate sets out the fundamental knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of care workers to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care.
The Care Certificate provides a strong foundation for people working in a variety of care roles, including healthcare assistants, support workers and adult social care staff. It helps ensure that all care workers meet consistent national standards when supporting individuals in residential care, community settings, hospitals and people’s homes.
In March 2025, the Care Certificate standards were updated to reflect changes in the sector and to align with the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification. The updated programme now includes 16 standards, including a new standard focusing on learning disability and autism awareness.
The Care Certificate is typically completed within the first 12 weeks of employment and forms an important part of the induction process for new care staff.
The Care Certificate training programme is structured around 16 key standards, designed to equip care workers with the knowledge and practical skills required to provide high-quality care.
The standards include:
Completing the Care Certificate provides several benefits for both care workers and employers. Learners gain the essential skills and knowledge required to work confidently in care environments, while employers can be assured that their staff meet recognised national standards.
Key benefits include:
Develop core health and social care skills
Support individual needs with compassion
Understand duty of care and responsibilities
Receive a nationally recognised Care Certificate