Senior Care Assistant
Senior care assistant training gives your staff the key knowledge, skills and confidence to be an effective senior care assistant in a care home. Delivered on-site by our experienced trainers.
About the course
Gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to be an effective senior care assistant
By the end of the course, delegates will:
- Recognise the roles and responsibilities of a senior care assistant
- Be aware of the roles and responsibilities of others within the care team and wider organisation
- Know the key legislation, regulation and NICE guidance which underpins the care of older and vulnerable adults
- Understand the Care Certificate and the career pathways available to care staff
- Understand the function of appraisals and supervision, and how to undertake an effective appraisal
- Recognise ways to get the most out of a team, including managing conflict and delivering effective handovers
- Understand your responsibilities for medicines management and infection prevention and control
- Know how to support good nutrition, hydration, oral health, skin integrity, falls prevention and continence care
- Understand person-centred approaches to dementia care and to end of life and palliative care
- Know how to apply the principles of least restrictive practice, and how to raise concerns, including whistleblowing
What you’ll cover
Full course content
Everything the course covers, exactly as our trainers deliver it:
Roles and responsibilities
- Sits between the care team and management, usually reporting to a Team Leader, Deputy Manager or Registered Manager
- Combines hands-on care delivery with day-to-day leadership of a shift
- Responsibilities span care delivery, team leadership, health and safety, and record-keeping
- Acts as a visible role model for good practice and professional conduct
Skills and the Care Certificate
- Core skills: person-centred care, supervisory confidence, conflict management, communication, organisation
- The Care Certificate is the 16-standard induction benchmark for health and social care
- Standards cover duty of care, safeguarding, dignity, communication and the Mental Capacity Act, DoLS and LPS
- The Care Workforce Pathway sets out progression routes, including the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
Safeguarding and mental capacity
- Care Act 2014 (sections 42 to 46): the duty to protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect
- The six safeguarding principles
- Mental Capacity Act 2005: five statutory principles for decision-making and best interests
- DoLS authorises deprivation of liberty; set to be replaced by the Liberty Protection Safeguards
CQC standards and governance
- The Fundamental Standards (Regulations 9 to 20) set the legal baseline for quality and safety
- Duty of candour (Regulation 20): open and transparent communication after harm
- The CQC assesses providers through the Single Assessment Framework’s five domains and quality statements
- Notifiable events include abuse allegations, DoLS outcomes, deaths and serious incidents
Safe practice and raising concerns
- Relevant NICE guidance covers medicines, pressure ulcers, falls, dementia and end of life care
- Restrictive practice must be a last resort: proportionate, time-limited and reviewed
- Whistleblowing is protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
- Care homes must have a fire risk assessment, PEEPs and a stay-put evacuation strategy
Supervising your team
- As supervisor you are accountable to your team and to the managers you report to
- Ensure workload is distributed fairly to competent, appropriately trained staff
- Support your organisation’s duty of care to your team’s health, safety and wellbeing
- Delegation means matching tasks to competence while remaining accountable for the outcome
Appraisals and supervision
- An appraisal is a formal, usually annual, 1-to-1 discussion between appraiser and appraisee
- Appraisals help create a quality service and support staff to fulfil their potential
- A 1-to-1 appraisal serves three functions: line management, learning and development, and support
- Formal supervision is typically required at least every one to three months (Regulation 18)
Building an effective team
- Seven conditions for successful teamwork: goals, trust, open communication, belonging, diversity, evolving practice
- Gain credibility by having faith in yourself, leading by example and being consistent
- Address conflict early and privately, focusing on behaviour rather than the person
- A structured SBAR handover reduces missed information and risk to residents
Medicines management and essential care
- Medicines management follows NICE SC1 and QS85: right resident, medicine, dose, route and time
- Nutritional risk is screened using a validated tool such as MUST
- NICE NG48 requires an oral health assessment and mouth care plan for every resident
- Falls, pressure ulcers and continence needs require validated risk assessment and regular review
Dementia and end of life care
- NICE NG97: person-centred dementia care based on history, preferences and communication needs
- Distress in dementia usually signals an unmet need, not “challenging behaviour”
- Advance care planning records a person’s wishes, including ReSPECT and DNACPR decisions
- NICE NG31, NG142 and QS13 set out the care of adults in the last days of life
Keep exploring
Related leadership & management courses
These subjects sit naturally alongside this course — and we can combine courses into one visit.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Where is the training delivered?
All of our training is delivered on-site at your service, anywhere in the UK — we come to you, so there are no travel costs or venue hire for your team.
How long is the Senior Care Assistant course?
It runs as a full day – 6 hours course, delivered in one visit unless stated otherwise.
How many delegates can attend?
Up to 15 delegates per session.
Do delegates receive a certificate?
Yes — every delegate receives a certificate on completion. Certificates are valid for 1 year, so plan refresher training before they expire.
How much does the course cost?
We price every course on application, based on your dates, location and delegate numbers. Use the contact buttons below — we reply quickly with a quote.
Can we combine courses into one visit?
Yes. Many clients build a full training day from shorter courses, and we can deliver several subjects in one visit — just tell us what your team needs.
Do you only train care providers?
No. This course suits care & nursing homes, home care & domiciliary, supported living, day services, hospices. If your sector isn’t listed, ask — we’ll tailor the course to your setting.
Book this course
We bring Senior Care Assistant training to your service
Delivered on-site at your service, nationwide, with pricing on application. Tell us your dates and delegate numbers and we’ll reply quickly with a quote.
Part of our leadership & management training range. Also explore behaviour management training and mental health training.