Care skills trainers and subject matter experts

What is the Carer Skills Passport?

The Carer Skills Passport helps children and young people with complex healthcare needs. It ensures care is delivered in the same way no matter where the person is, or who is caring for them. The Carer Skills Passport provides parents and carers with access to standardised care skills training. The training recognised in different care settings.

The Carer Skills Passport works by
1. Training parents, paid and unpaid carers to the same standards
2. Training parents, paid and unpaid carers in the same way and side by side, wherever possible
3. Recording the training in the Carer Skills Passport so that training is recognised in different care settings e.g. the person’s home, hospital, school or hospice

The Carer Skills Passport Academy provides care skills trainers with access to Carer Skills Passport train-the-trainers training and a portfolio of standardized, competency based, training and assessment materials.

More about the Carer Skills Passport

The Carer Skills Passport is currently in the development phase: different training modules and updates will be gradually introduced over time. Carer Skills Passport training is designed and delivered as a partnership. Expert parents, expert patients and professionals are working together to
  • Raise awareness of the Carer Skills Passport
  • Identify and prioritise parents’, paid and unpaid carers’ training needs
  • Identify the best ways to deliver training and updates, ensuring that training is accessible, relevant and effective
  • Co-design training modules, ensuring the learning needs of all participants are met
  • Deliver training as a partnership, ensuring consistency, facilitating shared understanding and increasing awareness of perspectives of others involved in caring for the same child or young person
The Carer Skills Passport is a way of ensuring that children and young people with complex long term conditions receive the same standards of safe, effective, evidence based, care wherever they are being cared for. The Carer Skills Passport documents the training received by parents, paid and unpaid carers and provides a record of outcomes of competency assessments. The Carer Skills Passport is transferable across different care settings ensuring children and young people receive the same standards of care at home, at school, in residential short break care and in hospital. The Carer Skills Passport has no connection with Skills for Health. Skills for Health, a not-for-profit organisation committed to the development of an improved and sustainable healthcare workforce across the UK. Skills for Health helps to inform policy and standards focusing on health, education and organisational development: increasing quality of healthcare, patient safety and productivity.
The Carer Skills Passport is a way of ensuring that children and young people with complex long term conditions receive the same standards of safe, effective, evidence based, care wherever they are being cared for. The Carer Skills Passport documents the training received by parents, paid and unpaid carers and provides a record of outcomes of competency assessments. The Carer Skills Passport is transferable across different care settings ensuring children and young people receive the same standards of care at home, at school, in residential short break care and in hospital. The Carer Skills Passport has no connection with Skills for Care. Skills for Care is a registered charity that provides provide practical tools and support to help adult social care organisations in England recruit, develop and lead their workforce.

Competencies

The Carer Skills Passport competencies are identified by surveying parents, paid and unpaid carers to identify their training needs. The results of this Training needs assessment, together with guidance provided by care skills trainers and subject matter experts, is used to develop the Carer Skills Passport master competencies list and identify priority areas for development of standardised, competency based, training and assessment materials. The full competencies framework, and available teaching and training materials can be accessed here
The Carer Skills Passport team uses a comprehensive structured approach to develop individual competencies, design and pilot training
  1. Training needs assessment, repeated every 3 – 5 years is used to identify the required competencies
  2. Existing resources in adult and children’s services are scoped to identify any appropriate material
  3. Specialist Advisors (from both children’s and adult services) are identified to help develop the competencies, design and pilot training
  4. Expert Parent and Patient Advisors are identified to co-design and co-deliver training
  5. Outline competency specifications are prepared using a standard template including
    • Who requires the competency (Core/ additional/ specialist)
    • Key elements to include
    • Requirement for additional equipment specific or client specific training
    • Format of training for parents, paid and unpaid carers (one or more of online, classroom with or without mannequins, simulation)
    • Format of assessment for parents, paid and unpaid carers including who signs off the carer as competent
    • Frequency of re-assessment and refresher training for parents, paid and unpaid carers
    • Frequency for reviewing and updating the competency itself and supporting materials
  6. A national panel is consulted for feedback regarding the draft competency specification
  7. The draft competency specification is amended as necessary following consultation and ratified by the Carer Skills Passport steering group
  8. Detailed training materials are developed by subject matter experts in partnership with expert patients and expert parents, based on the ratified competency specification
  9. Competency training is piloted
  10. The competency training is independently evaluated and modified accordingly
  11. The Carer Skills Passport steering group signs of the completed competency training package
  12. The ratified competency training is used to inform development of supporting train the trainers and expert parent/patient facilitators training and resource packs including
    • Format of training for trainers and expert parent/patient facilitator
    • Format of assessment for trainers and expert parent/patient facilitators
    • Frequency of re-assessment and refresher training for trainers and expert parent/patient facilitators
The Carer Skills Passport team has identified a total of 79 competencies that may be required to care for a child or young person with a complex long term condition. The competencies are grouped into 11 domains:
  1. Behaviour
  2. Communication
  3. Mobility
  4. Nutrition food and drink
  5. Continence and elimination
  6. Skin and tissue viability
  7. Breathing
  8. Drug therapies and medicines
  9. Psychological and emotional
  10. Seizures and altered consciousness
  11. Emergencies
The competencies are also classified as core competencies recommended for all parents, paid and unpaid carers, additional competencies that may be required depending on the needs of the child or young person being cared for and specialist competencies that are normally only provided by trained nurses or some expert parents. The full list of competencies can be found here
Assessment may be undertaken in a number of ways depending on the specific competency being assessed including
  • Completing a workbook or an online test
  • Talking through the steps required to complete the caring task with a Care Skills Trainer
  • Demonstrating the skill on a mannequin
  • Demonstrating the skill on the individual child or young person

Training

If individual parents, paid or unpaid carers register for the Carer Skills Passport we will contact then with available training, based on their completed training needs assessment. Organisations registered with the Carer Skills Passport will receive updates on available training, access to the Carer Skills Passport online Training Calendar and Trainers Directory, listing Carer Skills Passport Accredited trainers who are willing to be contacted with requests for bespoke training.
The type of training required will depend on the specific competencies to be achieved. Training may include
  • Online training including reading materials, videos and workbooks
  • Classroom training, which may include the use of mannequins to demonstrate and practice skills
  • Simulation, where carers get the chance to practice skills in a simulated care environment using mannequins and actors to help make the situation feel real but safe
  • Bedside training with the individual child or young person the carer will be supporting
The Carer Skills Passport Academy provides care skills trainers with accredited train-the-trainers training and a portfolio of standardised, competency based, training and assessment materials. The Carer Skills Academy team uses regular Training needs assessments to identify training needs of parents, paid and unpaid carers and the required competencies for the Carer Skills Passport competencies framework. The Carer Skills Academy welcomes applications from care skills trainers, subject matter experts, expert parents and expert patients to co-produce and pilot teaching and training materials for the Carer Skills Passport Academy
Expert care providers including those who already work as care skills trainers can register to join the Carer Skills Passport Academy. We also welcome expert patients, expert parents and subject matter experts particularly with relation to the priority competencies for initial development:
  1. Oxygen administration
  2. Oxygen saturations and vital sign monitoring
  3. Oral suction
  4. Nasal suction
  5. Tracheostomy suction
  6. Nebuliser
  7. Buccal drug administration
  8. Professional boundaries and confidentiality, social media
  9. Looking after your own needs
  10. Difficult conversations and questions
  11. Resuscitation training
  12. Raising concerns
  13. Recognising a deteriorating person
The Carer Skills Passport team has completed the initial Training needs assessment and identified a full portfolio of competencies. Thirteen priority competencies have been identified for the first wave of standardised, competency based, training and assessment materials. The priority areas are as follows
  1. Oxygen administration
  2. Oxygen saturations and vital sign monitoring
  3. Oral suction
  4. Nasal suction
  5. Tracheostomy suction
  6. Nebuliser
  7. Buccal drug administration
  8. Professional boundaries and confidentiality, social media
  9. Looking after your own needs
  10. Difficult conversations and questions
  11. Resuscitation training
  12. Raising concerns
  13. Recognising a deteriorating person
We are currently looking to identify care skills trainers to pilot initial train-the-trainers training, co-develop and pilot the initial standardised, competency based, training and assessment materials. This initial train-the-trainers training and use of the all the resources will be made free of charge to those involved in the initial development. After the initial development phase there may be charges to use the teaching and training materials and access the train-the-trainers training.
Care skills trainers, subject matter experts and expert parents can register with the Carer Skills Passport Academy using the online application form. Applicants will be asked to outline their previous training and experience and complete an online training needs assessment
The Carer Skills Passport team has identified a total of 79 competencies that may be required to care for a child or young person with a complex long term condition. The competencies are grouped into 11 domains corresponding to the domains of the NHS Continuing Care Decision Support Tool. The Carer Skills Passport is currently in the development phase: different training modules and updates will be gradually introduced over time. The Carer Skills Passport team has identified 13 priority competencies to be included in the first wave of standardised, competency based, training and assessment materials. The priority areas are as follows
  1. Oxygen administration
  2. Oxygen saturations and vital sign monitoring
  3. Oral suction
  4. Nasal suction
  5. Tracheostomy suction
  6. Nebuliser
  7. Buccal drug administration
  8. Professional boundaries and confidentiality, social media
  9. Looking after your own needs
  10. Difficult conversations and questions
  11. Resuscitation training
  12. Raising concerns
  13. Recognising a deteriorating person
The full competencies framework, and available teaching and training materials can be accessed here
Care Skills trainers who have completed the Carer Skills Academy train-the-trainers course and successfully co-delivered Carer Skills Passport training will be added to the Directory of Accredited Carer Skills Passport Trainers. Accredited Carer Skills Passport Trainers will have the option of having their details publicised via the Carer Skills Passport website so that care providers, parents, paid or unpaid carers can approach them directly to request bespoke training.
Carer Skills Passport training is provided in different settings depending on the type of training required. The aim is to make training as accessible as possible. Training may include
  • Online training including reading materials, videos and workbooks
  • Classroom training, which may include the use of mannequins to demonstrate and practice skills. Choice of classroom setting depends on the needs and preferences of carers being trained and the availability of appropriate facilities
  • Simulation, where skills are practised in a simulated care environment using manequins and actors to help make the situation feel real but safe. Choice of simulation setting depends on the needs and preferences of carers being trained and the availability of appropriate facilities
  • Bedside training with the individual child or young person receiving care. Bedside training is provided in the most appropriate setting for the individual child or young person.
The frequency of updates will depend on the competency and whether there have been any recent changes in practice. We will automatically contact Carer Skills Passport holders when their training needs updating and inform them of any important changes in practice. We will also let Carer Skills Passport holders know when new training modules become available.

Using the Carer Skills Passport

The Carer Skills Passport is based on standardised, evidence based competencies. The competencies are developed by a panel of subject matter experts and agreed across participating organisations providing care in different care settings. Training and assessment is provided by experienced, accredited trainers according to the agreed standards. Parents, paid and unpaid carers are trained side by side ensuring consistency and facilitating shared understanding. A central record of training and assessment is used to ensure training is kept up to date. Standardised, up to date training and competency assessment allows the Carer Skills Passport to be transferable across all care settings. For example if a parent or carer provides care to a child at home, they will also be supported and empowered to deliver the same or equivalent care if the child is admitted to hospital.
The Carer Skills Passport itself, including access to training is free of charge to parents and unpaid carers. Paid carers, care-skills trainers, continuing care commissioners and managers may be charged to use some elements of the Carer Skills Passport. The carer skills passport is a not-for-profit collaboration. Charges are made only when absolutely necessary in order to cover costs, ensure sustainability of the Carer Skills Passport and keep the standardised, competency based, training and assessment materials relevant and up to date.
The Royal College of Nursing has produced specific guidance regarding accountability and delegation of nursing tasks. Guidance is also available regarding vicarious liability and the scope of NHS indemnity. The Carer Skills Passport team is also commissioning an independent legal review to clarify the precise legal accountability and responsibility, with respect to training, assessment and care delivery when parents, paid or unpaid carers deliver care across care settings. The results of this review will be published on the Carer Skills Passport members’ area when the review is completed.
1. Parent, paid or unpaid carer registers for carer skills passport :
  • Registration includes consent for data storage and information sharing, agreement to terms and conditions
  • Online or smart phone
  • Paper form
2. The Carer Skills Passport team reviews the application:
  • Verifies applicant’s status
  • Adds applicant details to the Carer Skills Passport database – separate from website for security and backup
  • Sends secure log on details to parent, paid or unpaid carer
3. Parent, paid or unpaid carer completes Carer Skills Passport training needs assessment including
  • Current competencies
  • Required competencies
  • Training preferences: classroom or online, training location, availability
  • Whether they have access to a printer, email and internet
4. Registered parent, paid or unpaid carer is offered:
  • Training and assessment as it becomes available
  • Access to register of organisations accepting carer skills passport
  • Access to register of accredited trainers
  • Access to training calendar
  • Newsletter
5. When parent, paid or unpaid carer completes training and assessment
  • Details added to Carer Skills Passport database – separate from website for security and backup
  • Details added to hand held Carer Skills Passport
  • Details added to online record of Care Skills training (available to be viewed through their individual log-in)
  • Automatic reminder set up for update training when this is due
The Carer Skills Passport is transferable across different care settings ensuring children and young people receive the same standards of care at home, at school, in residential short break care and in hospital. The following steps outline how Carer Skills Passport trained parents, paid or unpaid carers can use the Carer Skills Passport to facilitate caring across care settings.
  • If possible, before admission, the parent, paid or unpaid carer or care manager checks online that the new care setting recognises the Carer Skills Passport
  • The parent, paid or unpaid shows their Carer Skills Passport to the ward manager or care manager in the new care setting.
  • The ward manager or care manager can be directed to the Carer Skills Passport guide for ward managers and care managers on the Carer Skills Passport website, if necessary
  • The ward manager or care manager may ask the parent, paid or unpaid carer to log on to the Carer Skills Passport website to verify their training and competency assessment
  • The parent, paid or unpaid carer is given additional guidance, as appropriate, to ensure that they can provide safe care in the new care setting e.g. fire safety, emergency procedures etc.
  • The ward manager or care manager explains the caring tasks the parent, paid or unpaid carer can safely continue to undertake in the new care setting. The ward manager or care manager also outlines any tasks which must be only undertaken by the unit staff. There may also be tasks which are undertaken in partnership with unit staff e.g. some medicines administration.
  • The ward manager or care manager explains how the parent, paid or unpaid carer should document the care they provide in the new care setting.
  • Paid carers may also need to demonstrate evidence of a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring service check (DBS) including checking for updates online.
  • Paid carers may also need to sign an honorary contract.

Security and passwords

Your Carer Skills Passport account includes your log in details and password. This is only ever accessible to you. The information in your Carer Skills Password account is important please keep it secure and do not allow others to log in using your details.
Your Carer Skills Passport profile page contains important information about you including a photo for identification and your contact details. If you are a parent, paid or unpaid carer it will include details of your accredited Carer Skills Passport training and assessment. If you are a care skills trainer it will include details of the Carer Skills Passport training you are accredited to deliver. Whether you are a parent, paid or unpaid carer, care skills trainer, continuing care commissioner or manager your profile details will be only accessible to you and specific members of the Carer Skills Passport team. If someone else needs to verify your accredited Carer Skills Passport training and assessment you should log on to the Carer Skills Passport website yourself and show them your profile page. Don’t forget to log off afterwards. NEVER give other people access to your log on details or allow other people to log on to your Carer Skills Passport account. If you are a Carer Skills Passport accredited trainer you can choose to make your Carer Skills Passport profile available to others in the Carer Skills Passport Directory of Accredited Trainers but this is entirely voluntary.
The carer Skills Passport website is protected by a secure firewall to keep your data safe. Information from the carer skills passport website is backed up regularly. We also keep a separate secure backup copy of carer skills passport membership and training details.

Get involved!

  1. Care skills trainers can register with the Carer Skills Passport Academy online
  2. You will be asked to outline your previous training and experience and complete a baseline training needs assessment
  3. Successful applicants will then complete a short online train-the-trainer course relevant to the Carer Skills Passport
  4. Care skills trainers will be invited to participate in specific competency training as a learner and then co-facilitate competency training, with an accredited Carer Skills Passport Trainer
  5. Care skills trainers will then lead competency training with an accredited Carer Skills Passport Trainer before finally being signed off as accredited to train for the specified competency
  6. Carer Skills Passport trainers will be expected to attend regular update training sessions in order to retain their accreditation.
A Carer Skills Passport Specialist Advisor is a subject matter expert, for example a tracheostomy nurse specialist, who has been invited by the Carer Skills Passport team to become a member of the faculty. Carer Skills Passport Specialist Advisors play a key role in developing competencies, designing and piloting Carer Skills Passport training.
Professionals who are interested in becoming Carer Skills Passport Specialist Advisors can apply online. Alternatively contact us on info@carerskillspassport.org.uk if you wish to discuss with a member of the Faculty.
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