The 11 core training topics Skills for Care says adult social care workers need, who needs which, and how CQC links it to Regulation 18.
No single law lists every course a care worker has to complete. CQC's Regulation 18 says staff must have the training they need to do their job safely, and Skills for Care's statutory and mandatory training guide (updated December 2025) sets out the core topics most employers use as their baseline.
Is there an official list of mandatory training for care workers?
The nearest thing is Part 1 of the Skills for Care guide. It lists the training every worker should have, plus the training for anyone who carries out a particular task. Part 2 covers extra training the employer chooses for the people it supports, such as dementia, end of life care or mental capacity.
What training does every care worker need?
These topics apply to every worker, whatever their role:
- Health and safety awareness
- Fire safety
- Moving and handling objects
- Infection prevention and control
- Adult safeguarding
- Basic life support (and first aid where the employer decides it is needed)
- Child safeguarding (knowing what to do if you suspect a child is at risk)
- Learning disability and autism awareness (the Oliver McGowan training)
What training depends on the job?
Some topics only apply when the worker carries out that task:
| Topic | Required when the worker… |
|---|---|
| Assisting and moving people | Helps people move, transfer or reposition |
| Food hygiene | Handles, prepares or serves food, or supports people to cook |
| Medication administration | Supports anyone with their medicines |
Is completing the courses enough?
No. Skills for Care is clear that employers must also check staff are competent in practice. That means observed tasks, such as medication rounds and moving people, plus supervision and reflective discussion. A certificate shows someone completed the course; a competency check shows they can do the job.
Does mandatory training differ between care homes and home care?
The core topics are the same. The content changes: fire safety and infection control training should reflect where the care happens, whether that is a care home, a supported living service or someone's own home.
