We are a new organisation in domiciliary care agency. I would like to clarify a few things.

1. If carers apply for a job and they already have NVQ2 OR 3 do they still need to do the Care Certificate Standards recommended by CQC?
2. If they are to do the Care Certificate Standards, then are they to complete this in 12 weeks or 12 months?
3. Can you direct me to where I can register my carers to sit for NVQ2 or 3 funded by the government?
4. I would like to enrol my trainee manager/team leaders to sit for Diploma in Health and Social Care level 5. Can you please tell me where I can get free funding?

Thank you Sheila for your support.

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear S,

Thank you for your question.

There is a great deal of useful information about training in Adult Social Care on the Skills for Care website http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/

1. Experienced carers with an NVQ2 or 3 qualification do not need to do the Care Certificate as the Care Certificate is intended for workers new to health or social care. You do however need to carry out induction training specific to your business with all new employees and you must satisfy yourself that the new experienced staff are competent to carry out the work that will be required of them.
2. There is no specific timescale for completing the Care Certificate.

The length of time taken depends on individual trainees but this is what Skills for Care says on their website:

“During the piloting of the Care Certificate in 2014, the indication was that for a full-time member of staff, the average amount of time taken to complete the Care Certificate was 12 weeks.

It is likely that employers will find that the time taken to complete the certificate will vary depending upon a range of factors, including; the hours worked by the learner, teaching methods chosen, previous educational achievement, resources and opportunities for assessment, and the availability of assessors.”

Questions 3 and 4.  I would advise you to speak to Access Skills http://www.accessskills.co.uk/ about your last two questions and I know that they will be able to give you the best of advice.

Best wishes.

Sheila