Care Certificate Training Online: A Step-by-Step Guide to All 16 Standards (2026 Edition)
What is the Care Certificate?
The Care Certificate is a set of standards that defines the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of people beginning work in health and social care.
The current framework contains 16 standards. It was developed jointly by Skills for Care, NHS England and Skills for Health.
The Care Certificate supports induction and early professional development. It is designed to help new care workers provide safe, compassionate and person-centred care in their workplace.
It is important to understand that the Care Certificate is not, in itself, a regulated qualification. Learners must develop knowledge and demonstrate competence in practice. Workplace assessment and employer sign-off remain important parts of completing the standards.
At Achievers Training College, our care certificate training online programme combines structured learning, weekly online teaching and ongoing learner support. Where applicable, learners also use Highfield e-learning and other learning resources.
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Build knowledge. Develop confidence. Demonstrate competence.
Who is Care Certificate training for?
Care Certificate training is suitable for people who are:
- Starting a career in adult health and social care.
- Beginning work as a care worker, support worker or healthcare assistant.
- Completing an induction within a care service.
- Returning to care after a period away from the sector.
- Employers seeking structured induction support for new staff.
- Organisations working to strengthen safe, consistent and person-centred practice.
The programme can support learners in residential care, domiciliary care, supported living, community services and other relevant health and social care settings.
Employers should also consider how the standards apply to the learner’s specific role, workplace procedures and responsibilities.
The 16 Care Certificate standards
The current Care Certificate modules cover the following 16 standards:
Understand your role
Develop awareness of responsibilities, boundaries, policies and professional expectations.Your personal development
Support reflective practice, learning and the creation of a personal development plan.Duty of care
Understand accountability, risk, responsibility and how to respond to concerns.Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights
Promote fair, respectful and inclusive care for every individual.Work in a person-centred way
Place the individual’s choices, needs, preferences and wellbeing at the centre of care.Communication
Communicate clearly, respectfully and appropriately with individuals and colleagues.Privacy and dignity
Protect dignity, confidentiality and personal choice during all aspects of care.Fluids and nutrition
Support safe hydration, nutrition and individual dietary needs.Awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disability
Develop understanding of conditions and provide appropriate, respectful support.Adult safeguarding
Recognise abuse, neglect and harm, and understand how to report safeguarding concerns.Safeguarding children
Understand responsibilities when concerns relate to children and young people.Basic life support
Understand the principles of responding to a life-threatening emergency.Health and safety
Work safely and identify risks within the care environment.Handling information
Maintain secure, accurate and appropriate records and information.Infection prevention and control
Apply effective practices to reduce the spread of infection.Awareness of learning disability and autism
Develop understanding of learning disability and autism and provide inclusive, person-centred support.
The standards should be read alongside the current Skills for Care Care Certificate resources, employer policies and role-specific requirements.
What does care certificate training online include?
Online delivery provides a flexible way to access learning while developing a clear understanding of the Care Certificate modules.
A supported programme may include:
- Online teaching and tutor-led discussion.
- E-learning and digital learning resources.
- Guided activities and reflective learning.
- Opportunities to ask questions.
- Progress monitoring throughout the programme.
- Support with understanding assessment requirements.
- Workplace evidence, observations or competency discussions where applicable.
At Achievers Training College, the supported programme is delivered over eight weeks, with one online teaching session each week. The weekly sessions complement the learner’s e-learning and independent study.
Learning is not the same as demonstrating competence
This distinction is central to completing the Care Certificate correctly.
Learning develops knowledge
Online learning helps learners understand subjects such as:
- Safeguarding.
- Person-centred care.
- Communication.
- Infection prevention and control.
- Health and safety.
- Equality, diversity and human rights.
Learners may complete e-learning activities, written work, questions, discussions and reflective exercises to show what they understand.
Practice demonstrates capability
Competence means applying knowledge safely and appropriately in the workplace. Depending on the standard and role, this may include:
- Direct observation.
- Workplace discussion.
- Evidence from practice.
- Reflective accounts.
- Questions and answers.
- Portfolio evidence.
- Confirmation from an appropriate assessor or employer.
Completion therefore requires more than simply watching online content. The learner must understand the requirements and demonstrate that they can apply them within their role.
The NHS England Care Certificate information confirms that the framework includes both theoretical study and practical application. This supports a dependable approach to safe and effective care.
Your supported eight-week learner journey
Achievers Training College provides a structured route from enquiry to completion.
1. Make an enquiry
Contact Achievers Training College to ask about the programme, delivery arrangements and next steps.
You do not need to already hold a Care Certificate to enquire or apply.
2. Complete your application
The application may request information about your personal details, employment, previous experience, training, learning preferences and support requirements.
Accurate information helps the training team plan appropriate support.
3. Complete the enrolment arrangements
The current learner journey sets out an initial payment of £55, followed by two monthly payments of £50, making a total programme fee of £155. Current fees and payment terms should always be confirmed before enrolment.
Further information is available through the Achievers Training College payment plan.
4. Receive application confirmation
Your application is reviewed, and the training team may request additional information or supporting documents.
This stage helps ensure that learners understand the programme and have suitable arrangements in place.
5. Access your learning
Where Highfield e-learning is used, learners receive instructions for accessing the relevant platform and resources.
Learners should keep login details secure and contact the training team if they experience technical difficulties.
6. Attend weekly online teaching
Learners attend one online teaching session each week for eight weeks.
Sessions are designed to:
- Explain the Care Certificate modules.
- Connect theory to real care settings.
- Clarify difficult topics.
- Encourage professional discussion.
- Support questions and reflection.
- Reinforce safe, person-centred practice.
7. Complete learning and workplace requirements
Learners work through the required activities and provide evidence relevant to their programme.
The exact evidence required may depend on the learner’s role, workplace and assessment arrangements.
8. Review progress and complete the programme
Progress is monitored throughout the programme. Support may be provided where learning activities remain outstanding or further clarification is required.
Once the applicable requirements have been completed and assessed, the learner receives information about completion documentation and next steps.
Why choose a supported programme?
A supported approach provides structure and accountability. It helps learners understand what they need to complete, when to complete it and how their learning relates to care practice.
It also gives employers greater visibility of learner progress. This can support a more consistent induction process and help identify where additional guidance may be needed.
Achievers Training College uses a competency-based approach that brings together:
- Structured knowledge development.
- Practical skills.
- Assessment and evidence.
- Tutor guidance.
- Workplace application.
- Professional reflection.
This approach is designed to develop knowledgeable, competent, confident and compassionate care professionals.
What can learners do after the Care Certificate?
The Care Certificate can provide a useful foundation for continued development. Learners may progress into further training, workplace development or a regulated qualification.
One possible next step is the Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3. This pathway is intended for individuals who want to deepen their knowledge, develop workplace competence and progress within adult health and social care.
Achievers Training College also provides health and social care diploma pathways for new and experienced care professionals. View the Health and Social Care Diplomas page to explore available options.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Care Certificate a regulated qualification?
No. The Care Certificate is a set of standards for knowledge, skills and behaviours. It is not the same as a regulated qualification. Completion involves learning, practical application and appropriate assessment within the workplace.
How many Care Certificate modules are there?
The current Care Certificate framework contains 16 standards. These are often described as Care Certificate modules during online training and learning programmes.
Can I complete the Care Certificate fully online?
The theoretical learning may be completed online. However, practical competence must be demonstrated in accordance with the requirements of the role, programme and workplace. Online learning alone may not replace workplace assessment.
How long is Achievers Training College’s supported programme?
The supported programme is delivered over eight weeks, with one online teaching session each week, alongside e-learning and independent activities.
Is Highfield e-learning included?
Highfield e-learning is used where applicable to the learner’s programme. Access arrangements and learning requirements are confirmed during enrolment.
Can employers use the programme for staff induction?
Yes. The programme is designed to support new and developing care workers. Employers should confirm that the delivery and assessment arrangements meet their workplace requirements.
What is a suitable next step after the Care Certificate?
Learners may progress to additional CPD, specialist skills training or a regulated qualification such as the Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3, depending on their role and career aims.
Start your Care Certificate journey
Achievers Training College supports learners and employers through structured learning, weekly teaching and practical development.
To ask a question or begin your application, visit the Care Certificate programme page or contact Achievers Training College.
Learn • Develop • Achieve