Core and

mandatory training
Links to: CQC key lines
of enquiry (KLOEs)
Topic Minimum learning outcomes Suggested refresher frequency
CQC fundamental
standards

Assisting and Will be dependent on the workers role and CQC KLOEs We recommend learning is
moving responsibilities and appropriate training should Safe: S2, S3 refreshed and knowledge and
people be provided to enable the worker to: Effective: E1, E2 competence assessed at least
■ be able to move and position an individual annually and when a new risk is
safely. CQC fundamental introduced.
standards
■ use equipment which may be required. Safety
■ understand current legislation, national
guidelines, policies, procedures and
protocols in relation to moving and
positioning individuals.
■ understand anatomy and physiology
in relation to moving and positioning
individuals.
■ be able to minimise risk before moving and
positioning individuals.
■ know when to seek advice and/or
assistance from others when moving and
positioning an individual.
Basic life Basic life support: CQC KLOEs Establishments must provide
support and ■ Understand and know how to follow Safe: S2, S3, S6 adequate personnel to respond
first aid procedures for responding to accidents and Effective: E1, E2, E7 if someone is taken ill or injured
sudden illness. at work. It’s the employer’s
CQC fundamental responsibility to determine how
■ Be able to provide basic life support. standards many people need training and to
Safety what level.
First aid:
■ The awarding organisation will set the Basic life support recommended
minimum learning outcome. refresher frequency:
■ Provide learning and
development opportunities
when identified or required and
at least annually.
■ The Resuscitation Council
(UK): ‘Frequent “low-dose”
training may improve CPR skills
compared with conventional
training strategies’ noting ‘is
widely accepted that skills
decay within three to six months
after initial training’.

First aid required refresher

frequency:
■ At least every 3 years to be
recognised as competent
Communication ■ Understand why communication is CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
important in the work setting. Safe: S2, S6 ■ Assess knowledge and
■ Be able to meet the communication and Effective: E2, E5 competence at least annually.
language needs, wishes and preferences of Caring: C1, C2, C3
Responsive: R1, R2, R3 ■ Provide learning and
individuals. development opportunities
■ Be able to reduce barriers to CQC fundamental when identified or required and
communication. standards at least every 3 years.
■ Be able to apply principles and practices Person-centred care
relating to confidentiality at work. Dignity and respect

Dignity ■ Understand the principles that underpin CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
dignity in care. Safe: S1 ■ Assess knowledge and
■ Maintain the dignity, respect and privacy of Caring: C3 competence at least annually.
the individual. Responsive: R3
Well-Led: W1 ■ Provide learning and
development opportunities
CQC fundamental when identified or required and
standards at least every 3 years.
Dignity and respect

Equality and ■ Understand the importance of equality and CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
diversity inclusion. Safe: S1 ■ Assess knowledge and
■ Be able to work in an inclusive way. Effective: E1, E3, E5 competence at least annually.
Caring: C1, C3
■ Know how to access information, advice Responsive: R1 ■ Provide learning and
and support about diversity, equality and Well-led: W1 development opportunities
inclusion. when identified or required and
CQC fundamental at least every 3 years.
standards
Dignity and respect
Safeguarding from abuse
Fire safety ■ Understand and know how to promote fire CQC KLOEs Recommended refresher frequency
safety in the work setting. Safe: S2, S3, S6 BS 9999:2008 Code of practice
for fire safety in the design,
CQC fundamental management and use of buildings
standards recommends training is refreshed at
Safety least annually.

The Department for Communities

and Local Government provides
advice on meeting legislative
requirements and states fire drills
should be completed annually.

Food hygiene ■ Understand the importance of food safety CQC KLOEs All workers involved in the handling,
measures when providing food and drink for Safe: S5, S6 preparation or provision of food are
individuals. Effective: E1, E2, E3 required by law to have received
■ Be able to maintain hygiene when handling appropriate training in how to
CQC fundamental handle food safely.
food and drink. standards
■ Be able to meet safety requirements when Premises and equipment ■ Monitor performance.
preparing and serving food and drink for Safety
individuals. ■ Assess knowledge and
competence at least annually.
■ Be able to meet safety requirements when
clearing away food and drink. ■ Provide learning and
development opportunities
■ Be able to store food and drink safely. when identified or required and
■ Know how to access additional advice or at least every 3 years.
support about food safety.
Health and ■ Understand own responsibilities, and the CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
safety responsibilities of others, relating to health Safe: S1, S2, S3, S6 ■ Assess knowledge and
awareness and safety in the work setting. Effective: E6 competence at least annually.
■ Understand the use of risk assessments. Well-led: W1, W2
■ Provide learning and
■ Know how to handle hazardous substances. CQC fundamental development opportunities
■ Implement security measures in the work standards when identified or required and
setting. Safety at least every 3 years.

■ Know how to manage stress.

Infection ■ Understand own and others roles and CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
prevention and responsibilities in the prevention and control Safe: S5, S6 ■ Assess knowledge and
control of infections. competence at least annually.
■ Understand legislation and policies relating CQC fundamental
standards ■ Provide learning and
to prevention and control of infections. development opportunities
Premises and equipment
■ Understand systems and procedures when identified or required and
relating to the prevention and control of at least every 3 years.
infections.
■ Understand the importance of risk
assessment in relation to the prevention and
control of infections.
■ Understand the importance of using
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the
prevention and control of infections.
■ Understand the importance of good
personal hygiene in the prevention and
control of infections.
Medication ■ Understand legislation, policy and
management procedures relevant to administration of
medication.
■ Know about common types of medication
and their use.
■ Understand procedures and techniques for
the administration of medication.
■ Prepare for the administration of
medication.
■ Administer and monitor medication safely.
Additional training as required such as:
■ how to administer specific medicines such
as patches, creams, inhalers, eye drops and
liquids.
■ Specialist training for specific medications
e.g. Buccal midazolam.
CQC KLOEs NICE recommend that learning
Safe: S3, S4, S6 for care home staff is refreshed and
knowledge and competence assessed
CQC fundamental at least annually.
standards
Safety NICE recommend that learning for
community-based staff is refreshed
and knowledge and competence
assessed at least annually.
Learning and development
requirements will be dependent
on the workers role and
responsibilities.
Training and competency checks
should be relevant to the type
of service provision and agreed
responsibilities.
The worker should not manage
or administer medicines until they
successfully completed any training
needed and have been assessed as
competent.

Mental capacity ■ Understand legal frameworks, policy and CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
and liberty guidelines. Safe: S1, S2, S3, S4 ■ Assess knowledge and
safeguards ■ Understand the meaning of mental capacity Effective: E1, E2, E4, E7 competence at least annually.
in relation to how care is provided. Caring: C1, C2, C3
Responsive: R1, R2 ■ Provide learning and
development opportunities
CQC fundamental when identified or required and
standards at least every 3 years.
Person-centred care
Consent
Moving and ■ Be able to move and handle equipment and CQC KLOEs HSE research found that annual
handling other objects safely. Safe: S2, S3 refresher training was generally
objects considered good practice.
CQC fundamental
standards
Safety

Nutrition and ■ Understand the principles of hydration and CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
hydration nutrition. Effective: E3 ■ Assess knowledge and
■ Be able to support individuals to have CQC fundamental competence at least annually.
access to fluids in accordance with their standards ■ Provide learning and
plan of care. Food and drink development opportunities
■ Be able to support individuals to have when identified or required and
access to food and nutrition in accordance at least every 3 years.
with their plan of care.
Oral health Ensure care staff who provide daily personal CQC KLOEs CQC recommend mandatory staff
care: Effective: E1, E2, E4, E5, training as part of their Smiling
■ understand the importance of oral health Responsive: R1 Matters report.
and the potential effect on their general Safe: S3 ■ Monitor performance.
health, wellbeing and dignity. CQC fundamental ■ Assess knowledge and
■ understand the potential impact of standards competence at least annually.
untreated dental pain or mouth infection Person-centred care ■ Provide learning and
on the behaviour, and general health and Dignity and respect development opportunities
wellbeing of people who cannot articulate when identified or required and
their pain or distress or ask for help. (This at least every 3 years.
includes, for example, residents with
dementia or communication difficulties.)
■ know how and when to reassess oral health.
■ know how to deliver daily mouth care.
■ know how and when to report any oral
health concerns, and how to respond
to a person’s changing needs and
circumstances.
■ understand the importance of denture
marking and how to arrange this for people,
with their permission.

Person-centred ■ Understand person centred approaches for CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
care care and support. Safe: S1, S2, S3 ■ Assess knowledge and
■ Be able to work in a person-centred way. Effective: E1, E2, E3, E4, competence at least annually.
E5, E6
■ Establish consent when providing care and Responsive: R1, R3 ■ Provide learning and
support. Well-Led: W1, W3 development opportunities
■ Encourage active participation. when identified or required and
CQC fundamental at least every 3 years.
■ Be able to support the individual’s right to standards
make choices. Person-centred care
■ Be able to support individual’s well-being. Dignity and respect
Positive We recommend you reference the PBS CQC KLOEs A positive and proactive
behaviour Competency Framework for commissioning Safe: S1, S2, S3 workforce and Ensuring quality
support and PBS training programmes. Effective: E2, E4 services for people with
non-restrictive Caring: C1, C2, C3 behaviours that challenges
practice Reflective: R1 recommend learning is refreshed at
Well-led: W2, W3, W5 least annually.

CQC fundamental
standards
Safeguarding from abuse

Recording and ■ Understand the need for secure handling of CQC KLOEs
reporting information in settings. Safe: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5,
■ Know how to access support for handling S6
information. Effective: E1, E2, E3, E4,
E5, E6
■ Handle information in accordance with Caring: C1, C2, C3,
agreed ways of working. Responsive: R1, R2, R3
Well-Led: W1, W2, W3,
W4, W5
■ Monitor performance.
■ Assess knowledge and
competence at least annually.
■ Provide learning and
development opportunities
when identified or required and
at least every 3 years.

CQC fundamental
standards
Complaints
Good governance
Safeguarding ■ Know how to recognise types of abuse. CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
adults ■ Know how to respond to suspected or Safe: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, ■ Assess knowledge and
alleged abuse. S6 competence at least annually.
■ Understand the national and local context CQC fundamental ■ Provide learning and
of safeguarding and protection from abuse. standards development opportunities
■ Understand ways to reduce the likelihood of Safeguarding from abuse when identified or required and
abuse. at least annually.

■ Know how to recognise and report unsafe

practices.
■ Understand principles for online safety.
■ Making the links between safeguarding and
domestic violence.

Safeguarding ■ Know how to safeguard children. CQC KLOEs ■ Suggested Annual refresher.
children Safe: S1

CQC fundamental
standards
Safeguarding from abuse
Staffing
Fit and proper staff
Specific ■ Understand the needs and experiences of CQC KLOEs ■ Monitor performance.
conditions individuals with specific conditions. Safe: S3 ■ Assess knowledge and
Effective: E1, E2, E4 competence at least annually.
Understand: Caring: C1, C3, C4
Responsive: R1 ■ Provide learning and
■ The importance of promoting positive health development opportunities
and well-being of individuals with specific Well-led: W1, W2
when identified or required and
conditions. CQC fundamental at least every 3 years or when a
■ The adjustments which may be necessary in standards new need is identified.
care delivery relating to specific conditions. Staffing
■ The legal frameworks, policy and guidelines
relating to specific conditions.
■ Support individuals with specific conditions.