Health and Social Care Certificate Equivalents

In this course we consider the importance of a balanced diet, and its significance for those receiving care or support. We also take a look at the very important subject of food safety, which requires us to ensure that the food people eat is not going to cause them harm. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course covers: • The six key nutrients for a healthy diet • The importance of good nutrition • The importance of fluids • The Eatwell Guide • Signs and symptoms of poor nutrition and dehydration • Meeting nutritional needs and preferences • Maintaining dignity when eating and drinking • Enabling access to fluids and food • Food safety – types of hazard • Handling, storing and preparing food • Food allergens and allergic reaction

The neglect of children and young people by their primary caregivers is a significant issue that has a damaging effect on the development of affected children in both the short, and long term. It affects all aspects of; emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioural development, and children may be affected by neglect at any point in their life, from early years to adolescence. It is, therefore, important that all those coming into contact with potential victims are properly prepared to understand, and identify neglect when they encounter it. This course will provide a base level knowledge, and understanding of, the various forms of neglect, their effects on the victim and the key reasons why neglect occurs. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course will cover: • Examples of neglect • A definition of child neglect • Types of neglect • The effects of neglect (including case studies) • The causes of neglect

'Duty of Care’ involves the promotion of wellbeing – that is the positive way in which a person feels and thinks of themselves - and making sure that people are kept safe from harm, abuse, and injury. It therefore requires workers in health and social care to always act in the best interest of the people they care for, and their co-workers. It also requires them not to act, or fail to act, in a way that results in harm, to act within their competence, and to avoid taking on anything they do not believe they can safely do. 'Duty of Care' is part of the code of conduct for healthcare support workers, and adult social care workers in England, and is usually part of their job description. This course will enable the learner to understand the meaning of 'Duty of Care', and how to comply with its key components. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course covers: • Legislation impacting on Duty of Care • A definition of Duty of Care • Duty of Care to those receiving care, and support and to other workers • Following agreed ways of working • Passing on concerns • Supporting independence • Respecting the rights of individuals • Reporting incidents, errors and near misses • Dealing correctly with comments and complaints • Managing conflict

Effective communication is an essential skill in the practice of health and social care, because it helps to create caring, trusting, and practical relationships with the individuals being cared for, their families, and co-workers. Being able to communicate effectively means that workers in health and social care are more able to develop their knowledge about the people they care for, and so put the principles of person-centred care into practice. This course aims to ensure that the learner understands why effective communication is important, what skills are required to facilitate it, and how to remove barriers. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course covers: • Verbal communication and its elements • Group communication • Non-verbal communication • Barriers to effective communication • Dealing with barriers to effective communication • The benefits of effective communication

Equality and diversity are crucial to the practice of successful health and social care because they ensure that the services provided are not only accessible to everyone, but are provided in a way that promotes dignity and respect. They also ensure that care is focused on the individual, rather than having it provided in a ‘one size fits all’ package. This course aims to ensure that the learner understands what is meant by equality and diversity, and how it should be implemented within the context of health and social care. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This Course Covers: • The meaning of equality and diversity • Why equality and diversity are important • The provisions of the Equality Act 2010 in respect of discrimination • The main types of discrimination • What is meant by rights, and why they are important • The main barriers to diversity, equality, and inclusion • Ways of working that reduce the likelihood of discrimination

Mental health problems, dementia, and learning disabilities affect a substantial proportion of the UK population in any given year. It is therefore important that those who work with people who live with, or are at risk from, these conditions, can recognise typical symptoms and react with compassion and understanding. Understanding the conditions, and their signs and symptoms, will also enable those involved to know when to report any concerns they may have about people for whom they care. Furthermore, recognising the conditions will assist in responding to, and dealing with, any unusual associated behaviour. This course aims to provide the learner with an overview of commonly encountered mental health conditions, dementia, and learning disabilities. It will also enable them to understand the effects of these conditions on people experiencing them, and how they should be cared for and supported. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course will provide you with a deeper understanding of: • Mental health • Depression • Schizophrenia • Phobias • Bipolar disorder • Anxiety • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) • Eating disorders • Dementia • Learning disability • Care and support of those with mental health issues • Promoting positive attitudes • The social model of disability • Reporting concerns • Legislation relating to mental health

Health and social care professionals provide the highest quality of care by developing strong partnerships between themselves, the individuals for whom they care and the other services that provide care and support. Person-Centred Practice, with its focus on providing personalised care that treats people with compassion and respect, provides a framework that enables health and social care professionals to create effective relationships between all parties. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course aims to ensure that the learner understands what Person-Centred Practice is, why it is important, and what constitutes best practice in its implementation. • Person-Centred Practice and its relationship to wellbeing • What is Person-Centred Practice? • Personal values • Professional values – The Six Cs • Person-centred values, including: • Individuality • Choice • Privacy • Respect • Independence • Dignity • Partnership • Rights • Care plans • Handovers and team meetings • Communication in Person-Centred Practice

Privacy and dignity are immensely important to us all throughout our lives, whatever our age, or physical or mental ability. Being able to maintain privacy and dignity has a profound effect on self-esteem, confidence, and the ability to function within society. Invasion of privacy, or an attack on dignity, produces different reactions in different people – it may be annoyance or embarrassment, or a feeling of being ignored or considered irrelevant. Whatever the reaction, it will be negative and damaging. For this reason, it’s absolutely essential that workers in health and social care do all they can to ensure that those in their care are protected from these damaging effects of loss of privacy, or dignity. This course will enable the learner to understand why supporting the privacy and dignity of the people they care for, or support, is so important, and why they must do everything that they possibly can to maintain it at all times. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course covers: • What is meant by privacy and dignity • The role of personal values in promoting dignity • Maintaining privacy and dignity in the work setting • Using the 7 Skills for Care Principles • Supporting skills in self-care • Risk assessment and supporting informed choice • Risk enablement • Active participation and supporting dignity • Confidentiality and private personal information • Reporting concern

The Care Act 2014, which addresses the protection of adults, defines adult safeguarding as “protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect”. Safeguarding adults requires those supporting or caring for them to prevent - or at the very least reduce - the risk of significant harm from abuse or exploitation, whilst helping them to take control of their lives by making informed choices. All health and social care workers have this responsibility for the adults in their care, particularly for those who are especially vulnerable. This course aims to enable the learner to recognise the indicators of adult abuse and/or neglect, understand the circumstances that may lead to it, and become aware of the responsibilities for the safeguarding of adults placed upon them personally, and on local authorities. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course covers: • Defining the term ‘safeguarding adults’ • Types of adult abuse and neglect and their indicators • Groups most at risk • Local authority responsibilities • Safeguarding Adults Boards • Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SAR) • The role of dignity and rights in safeguarding adults • The role of person-centred care in safeguarding adults • The six safeguarding principles (Care Act 2014) • Raising concerns • Information sharing • Obtaining advice and information

No one can be expected to perform well in their job if they don’t fully understand what that job is. Workers in health and social care are no exception – indeed, understanding their job role is arguably much more important than in many other occupations. In this course we explore how to make sure job role and responsibilities are fully understood, what those responsibilities are likely to entail, and how they impact on relationships with the people being supported, employers, members of the care team, and the individual themselves. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course will cover: • Responsibilities towards the people you support • Job descriptions • Care needs • Fair treatment • Confidentiality • Whistleblowing • Managing your attitudes and beliefs • Communicating effectively • Supporting people with different needs • Working relationships and personal relationships • Responsibilities towards your employer • Policies and procedures • Values, Aims and Objectives • Reporting Errors • Health & Safety • Responsibilities towards the people with whom you work • Partnership working • Trust and respect • Responsibilities towards yourself • Skills, knowledge, and personal development

There are a number of reasons why first aid is so important, such as encouraging general safety, preventing casualties’ conditions from worsening and, ultimately, saving lives. Ideally, everyone would have a basic knowledge of what first aid is, why it is important, how to apply it, and what do to in an emergency. This course describes what first aid is and why it is important. It also provides sufficient information for the user to be able to apply first aid safely, and effectively, to different types of casualty. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. By the end of this course you will be able to: • Understand what to do in a medical emergency • Describe how to manage an injury incident • Acknowledge employers’ responsibilities • Understand UK first aid law and regulations • Explain what first aid is and why it is important • Understand how to treat: -Medical problems -Effects of extreme heat and cold -Bleeding -Respiratory problems -Unconscious casualties (breathing and not breathing)

Our hands come into contact with many different surfaces and substances, many of them harbouring bacteria and viruses that transfer to our hands and from there either to other people, or into our own body. Good hand washing is the first line of defence against the spread of many illnesses - from the common cold, to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, hepatitis A, and food poisoning. It is also crucial in preventing the spread of influenza, and is a major weapon in the armoury to be deployed against an influenza pandemic – the occurrence of which experts describe as being ‘when’ not ‘if’. This short video based course takes the learner step-by-step through the key stages of hand washing, and will enable effective hand washing in less than 30 seconds. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. By the end of this course you will be able to: • Wash hands effectively in less than 30 seconds • Understand the key stages of hand washing

Confidentiality is an important right of people who receive care and support. It is part of the relationship of trust that individuals have with healthcare support workers, and adult social care workers. Information about an individual should not be shared with anybody else, even the person’s family or friends, without the individual’s permission. You must ensure that you protect private information from accidental viewing or hearing. For example, if you are talking to a colleague about someone, you should consider whether other people could overhear your conversation. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. Course Content: • Confidentiality through social media • Legislation • Agreed ways of working • Digital working • Reporting concerns

Safe practice is very important when providing care. There are a number of legislative measures and regulations to support health and safety at work, intended to protect people in work, those using services, and the wider public. This course will introduce you to safe practice, why it is important, and what to do when safe practices are not being followed. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions.

Infection and infectious diseases in humans are caused when harmful germs, known as pathogens, enter the body and grow. These micro-organisms are so small they can only be seen by using a microscope. For people living in care homes, infections can be serious and, in some cases, life-threatening. They can also make existing medical conditions worse. Regular contact with staff, other residents, family, and friends and the shared living space all mean infection can easily be passed around. It is therefore vital to take the steps that can help prevent infection occurring. The aim of this course is to familiarise yourself with these and provide you with useful ways of preventing them. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. This course covers: • The chain of infection • Hand hygiene • Types of pathogens • Your health and hygiene • Breaking the chain • Personal protective equipment • Safe handing of waste or soiled materials

Personal development is a lifelong process that enables you to continuously check, and improve, your skills. In this course we will look at what a development plan is, and how it can help you to develop and grow. In this course we explore how to make the most of personal development and the impact it can have on you, as an individual. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions.

Many people have jobs where they are required to work alone, and without direct supervision. This absence of immediate help or assistance creates significant risk because of the ever-present prospect of accidental injury or violence and aggression - the latter, for some occupations, being accompanied by the added risk of robbery or other crime. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. By the end of this course you will be able to: • Recognise that the law places clear responsibilities on both you and your employer in respect of your safety at work • Describe what is meant by a safe system of work and list examples of such systems • Explain how intelligence systems can be employed to improve the safety of workers in other people’s homes and premises

Child abuse is any action by another person – whether an adult or another child – that causes significant harm to a child. This harm can be physical, sexual, or emotional. It can also involve a lack of love, care, or attention since neglect, whatever form it takes, can be just as damaging to a child as physical abuse. Safeguarding children from abuse or neglect is everyone’s responsibility, and when a worker in health and social care encounters children during their day-to-day work, it’s part of their job to make sure that their wellbeing is safeguarded. This course aims to ensure that the learner is able to recognise all forms of abuse and neglect, understands the effects of child abuse, and knows what action to take should they encounter it. The duration of this course is 20 minutes and can be completed over multiple sessions. Course Content: • What is child abuse? • Types of child abuse • The physical, behavioural and psychological effects of child abuse • Factors affecting the response to abuse • The impact of a parent’s mental health on children’s wellbeing • Children’s rights • The responsibilities of workers in health and social care for child safeguarding • Dealing with allegations of abuse • Whistleblowing • Internet and online social networking risks • Safeguarding children legislation

Be Empowered is a course for caregivers, and their networks, to address the challenges of juggling unpaid care responsibilities with the demands of the rest of their lives and employment. Across 10 modules, learners are given tips and tools on building resilience, understanding their rights, communicating their needs and more. Every day, people leave jobs they love to give care support to relatives, partners, parents and community members. Loss of financial autonomy, self-esteem and confidence can follow, making the personal cost of caring too high. Achieving balance between work, unpaid care and self-care is worth striving for, and Be Empowered has been designed to support that goal. Be Empowered provides holistic support by addressing all aspects of the impact of caring on the caregiver, their networks, and their paid employment. The Be Empowered Modules Building Resilience - How to Bounce Back and Keep Caring. Learn about techniques that can be drawn upon in acute crises and day-to-day. Identify how to build on fundamental resilience, build new coping mechanisms and ultimately manage the ongoing pressures of caring responsibilities. Carer Guilt & Compassion Fatigue Compassion fatigue develops over time, and can be hard to recognise, acknowledge and accept. Feelings of loss, frustration and even grief are normal but can cause guilt. This module focuses on adapting to changes in lifestyle, the loss of emotional support, role reversal and other common effects, making reflection possible without self-criticism and judgement. The aim is to develop skills to manage those feelings, reducing the risk of overwhelm. Communication with Services - Talking to the Professionals: (1) We look at planning conversations for maximum impact. Effective communication is a complex series of decisions, actions and behaviours. Being heard and understood when stressed and overstretched is a real challenge. This module enables the learner to understand different types of communication and how to use appropriate styles and tools to achieve better outcomes. Communication with Services - Talking to the Professionals (2) This second module on dealing with influential gatekeepers goes further to look at communication barriers and how to talk to professionals as objectively as possible to achieve realistic goals. The session also explores how to raise concerns effectively. Looking after Yourself This module directly addresses the barriers to self-care that are the every day reality of care giving. To move beyond these barriers, a practical approach is taken to the topic with the goal of making incremental positive changes. Planning Hospital Care and Discharge This module looks at planning hospital and healthcare to promote the Carer being meaningfully involved whether as a patient themselves or as a visitor to the supported person. Includes practical guidance on who may be involved in discharge and important options to discuss with the hospital team prior to returning home. Setting your Boundaries - How to say No Boundary setting and achieving clarity of roles promote accountability and understanding, but can be tricky to achieve for a number of reasons. The module looks at ways to reach consensus on who is responsible for what, why and when. With the goal of maintaining healthy boundaries, all parties should feel an appropriate sense of safety and control. Using Technology and Services to Sustain Support Explore the different types of services and technology that may be available to support both carer/s and the cared for person/people. Your Rights as a Caregiver We look at how to access support and advice based on the Laws and Policies that enable Carers to feel heard and connected. This session looks at The Care Act from the perspective of the carer. For Managers and Caregivers - What you Need to Know and How You Can Help. This module provides information based on the Laws and Policies that can effectively support employees with unpaid care responsibilities. Covering key sections of the The Care Act and the relevance of it to employers, the benefits of employing and supporting caregivers, and the legal rights that support carers in employment. Common misperceptions about unpaid care are also addressed. Whether currently managing an unpaid carer or not, this module is an eye-opening and valuable addition to any people skills toolkit. Quality and Relevance are assured when choosing Be Empowered. The content was developed in response to Carer Survey results at national and local authority levels, through evaluation of carer support projects and appraisal of the online support programme developed during the pandemic. All topics were selected using this evidence based approach, which revealed this list of needs. Each module has been developed collaboratively with input from Carers themselves, health and social care professionals, and staff from the PeoplePlus supported Gloucestershire Carers Hub.