What the Care Certificate is
The Care Certificate is an agreed set of induction standards for many new health and social care support roles in England. It was developed by Skills for Care, Skills for Health and NHS England (formerly Health Education England) so new workers share a common baseline of knowledge, skills and behaviours. It supports CQC expectations around staff induction. It does not replace your employer's own induction for that setting.
Who usually needs it
Employers commonly use it for people new to care, healthcare assistants, care support workers, adult social care workers, and staff who give direct care in residential homes, nursing homes, hospices or domiciliary care. Regulated professionals such as nurses, doctors and social workers usually follow their own professional routes instead. There is no single statute that forces every provider to use the Care Certificate, but inspectors often look for evidence that new staff have met equivalent induction standards.
Knowledge vs workplace assessment
There are two parts. Knowledge covers the theory behind each standard. Workplace assessment checks that you can apply that learning safely with the people you support. Online courses like ours can deliver the knowledge element. Only a competent workplace assessor and your employer can confirm competence and award the Care Certificate on the national template.
The 16 standards (including Standard 16)
The framework was updated in 2025. Standard 16 covers awareness of learning disability and autism. Our course content is written to cover the knowledge for all 16 standards. If you see older courses that still advertise 15 standards only, check before you buy, because Standard 16 is part of the current framework.
How it relates to Level 2 and Level 3 diplomas
The Care Certificate is induction standards, not an Ofqual-regulated qualification. The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification and Level 2 / Level 3 diplomas in care are separate regulated awards with formal assessment. Knowledge from the Care Certificate can sometimes map as prior learning toward those routes, but completing our online course does not award a diploma or NVQ.
How Care School helps
Care School's £14.99 online course walks you through the knowledge for each standard, checks understanding with a quiz, and issues a PDF training certificate. You then take that evidence into your workplace assessment. We do not claim Skills for Care endorsement on this site.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 15 Care Certificate courses?
Older materials talked about 15 standards. The current Care Certificate framework has 16 standards, including awareness of learning disability and autism. Our course covers the knowledge for all 16. Completing online learning still does not award the Care Certificate on its own.
Is the Care Certificate mandatory?
Not as a single legal duty for every worker, but many employers and CQC-regulated services expect equivalent induction standards for new care staff.
Does the Care Certificate expire?
It does not have a fixed national expiry date. Employers may still ask for refreshers on topics such as safeguarding.
Can I transfer it to a new employer?
Once fully signed off, it is intended to be portable. A new employer may still check gaps against their own induction.