Statutory vs mandatory training
Statutory training is training a law requires. Health and safety law is behind topics such as fire safety and moving and handling, and the Health and Care Act 2022 requires CQC-registered providers to train staff on learning disability and autism.
Mandatory training is what a provider decides staff must complete to give safe care. CQC’s Regulation 18 requires registered providers to give staff “such appropriate support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal as is necessary”. Skills for Care’s guide brings both together into one list for adult social care.
The list for care workers
| Topic | Who | Minimum refresher |
|---|---|---|
| Health and safety awareness | All workers | At least every 3 years |
| Fire safety | All workers | At least every 3 years; fire drills at least yearly |
| Moving and handling objects | All workers | At least every 3 years |
| Infection prevention and control | All workers | At least every 3 years |
| Adult safeguarding | All workers | At least every 3 years |
| Child safeguarding | All workers | At least every 3 years |
| Learning disability and autism awareness | All workers | As the Oliver McGowan Code sets: at least every 3 years |
| Basic life support | Depends on role | At least annually |
| First aid | Depends on role | Every 3 years (certificates last 3 years) |
| Assisting and moving people | Depends on role | At least every 3 years |
| Food hygiene | Depends on role | At least every 3 years |
| Medication administration | Depends on role | Review training and competency if there has been no training within a year |
Skills for Care also lists additional training for particular services and people’s needs. It advises no refresher periods for that additional training: those are the employer’s responsibility.
Oliver McGowan training on learning disability and autism
Since 1 July 2022, section 181 of the Health and Care Act 2022 has required service providers registered with CQC to make sure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism appropriate to their role. The statutory Code of Practice became final on 6 September 2025.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training has two tiers:
- Tier 1, for staff who need general awareness: 90 minutes of e-learning plus a one-hour online interactive session.
- Tier 2, for staff who provide care and support: the same e-learning plus a one-day face-to-face session.
The Code says the training should be refreshed at least every three years. The e-learning is hosted on the NHS England elearning for healthcare hub.
The Care Certificate and the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate
The Care Certificate is the set of standards new care workers are inducted against. Skills for Care updated it in March 2025: there are now 16 standards, with a new one on learning disability and autism awareness. CQC says it expects providers that employ healthcare assistants and social care support workers to follow the standards when assessing their competence.
The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate is a regulated qualification based on the same 16 standards, with observed assessment. It has been available since 3 June 2024, and Skills for Care says it takes a new learner around 6 to 8 months. Employers can claim up to £1,540 per learner through the government’s Learning and Development Support Scheme for qualifications paid for between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2027.
How often to refresh
- Most topics: Skills for Care sets a minimum refresher period of three years. Completing a recognised adult social care qualification resets it.
- Basic life support: at least annually.
- First aid: HSE says first aid certificates are valid for three years, and strongly recommends annual refresher training in between.
- Medication: if someone has had no further training within a year, review their training needs and competency.
- Fire drills: at least yearly.
These are minimums. A provider can set shorter intervals.
Keeping training records
A training matrix is a simple way to keep these records: a table of every worker against every required topic, with completion and expiry dates, so gaps show up before they become a problem. For agency, bank and self-employed staff, keep a copy of their certificates and the date you checked them. As a carer, keep your own certificates together and note when each one is due.
What VerriPro checks
Professionals upload their qualifications and training certificates in the VerriPro Provider app, alongside their ID, right to work, enhanced DBS, insurance and references. A member of the VerriPro team reviews them before the profile can be found or booked. VerriPro reminds Professionals before a document expires; if a required one does expire, they cannot take new bookings until a valid replacement is approved.