Imagine this: you’re walking through your care home early one morning, greeting residents as they prepare for the day. You notice a new team member expertly assisting an elderly resident with their medication, another ensuring infection control protocols are meticulously followed, and a third engaging warmly with a resident living with dementia. It’s a scene that reflects not only compassion but the impact of high-quality training.

In 2025, having a team that’s trained, confident, and fully compliant isn’t just important—it’s essential. Whether you manage a small residential home or a large nursing facility, investing in flexible, accredited health and social care courses can future-proof your service and ensure outstanding care delivery.

At ecert, we specialise in providing practical, high-quality online health and social care courses designed for care home staff. Here, we highlight 7 must-have courses that will help your team lead the way in elderly care this year.

1. Administration of Medicines

Administering medication safely is a vital responsibility in a care setting. Our Administration of Medicines course teaches staff how to manage medicines confidently and competently. Participants will explore different types of medication, proper storage techniques, and accurate record-keeping procedures. The course also outlines steps for addressing common errors and supporting residents who self-administer. With practical examples and clear guidelines, your care team will be better equipped to ensure medication safety and meet CQC standards.

This training is essential for ensuring medication is administered correctly, reducing errors, and maintaining resident trust and safety within your care home.

Key topics covered:

• Medication types and administration routes
• Safe storage and handling
• Legal and ethical considerations
• Error prevention and management
• Supporting residents with self-medication

2. Infection Control

Controlling infections within care homes is critical for resident safety. ecert’s Infection Control course empowers staff to minimise the spread of infections through effective hygiene practices. Learners will cover correct handwashing techniques, PPE usage, environmental hygiene, and outbreak management. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of infection pathways and teaches proactive measures to protect both residents and staff, ensuring a clean, compliant, and healthy care environment.

For care home staff, this training is vital for preventing outbreaks, reducing sick days, and ensuring the well-being of vulnerable elderly residents.

Key topics covered:

• Principles of infection prevention
• Effective hand hygiene and PPE protocols
• Managing infectious outbreaks
• Environmental cleaning and disinfection
• Breaking the chain of infection

3. Falls Prevention

Reducing fall risks among elderly residents is essential for maintaining independence and preventing injuries. Our Falls Prevention course teaches carers to assess individual risks, adapt environments, and promote safe mobility. Through real-world scenarios, staff learn to recognise common hazards, implement preventative strategies, and respond appropriately if a fall occurs.

This course equips your care team to actively reduce incidents, improving safety records and enhancing residents’ confidence in your service.

Key topics covered:

• Identifying and assessing fall risks
• Environmental adaptations and safety equipment
• Promoting mobility and balance
• Post-fall protocols and documentation
• Resident engagement in fall prevention

Recommended Read: How to Prevent Falls in Care Homes

4. Improving Outcomes in People with Dementia

Caring for residents with dementia requires specialist knowledge and sensitivity. The Improving Outcomes in People with Dementia course focuses on person-centred approaches that enhance communication, support daily living activities, and manage behavioural challenges. Staff gain valuable insights into dementia progression and practical dementia care strategies to promote dignity, inclusion, and emotional well-being for residents.

Providing dementia-specific training ensures care home staff can offer compassionate, tailored support, improving quality of life and resident satisfaction.

Key topics covered:

• Understanding dementia types and progression
• Enhancing communication and interaction
• Managing challenging behaviours empathetically
• Personalised care planning
• Promoting emotional and cognitive well-being

5. Mental Capacity Act 2005

Supporting residents’ decision-making rights is fundamental to ethical care. Our Mental Capacity Act 2005 course provides a practical understanding of assessing mental capacity, making best-interest decisions, and applying Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff will learn to navigate sensitive situations legally and compassionately, ensuring every resident’s voice is respected even in complex circumstances.

Completing this training helps care home staff gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. By doing so, they can uphold resident rights, prevent legal issues, and foster a culture of respect and empowerment.

Key topics covered:

• The five core principles of the Act
• How to conduct capacity assessments
• Best-interest decision frameworks
• Legal protections and resident advocacy
• DoLS procedures and compliance

6. Safeguarding an Adult

Safeguarding training is crucial for early intervention and protecting vulnerable residents. The Safeguarding an Adult course educates staff on recognising abuse, responding appropriately, and fulfilling their legal safeguarding duties. Realistic case studies and guidance on reporting procedures empower carers to act confidently and sensitively to uphold resident safety and dignity.

By completing this course, your care home team will be equipped to create a safe, transparent environment that promotes trust among residents and families.

Key topics covered:

• Types and indicators of abuse and neglect
• Immediate actions when concerns arise
• Reporting pathways and escalation processes
• Safeguarding legislation and responsibilities
• Creating a safeguarding culture within care homes

Check out our blog on the importance of safeguarding training in care homes for more details.

7. Health and Safety

Ensuring a safe environment is non-negotiable in health and social care. Our Health and Safety course covers everything from hazard identification to emergency preparedness. Staff will develop a solid foundation in risk management, manual handling, COSHH, fire safety, and first aid.

Investing in health and safety training minimises risks, ensures regulatory compliance, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement in your care home.

Key topics covered:

• Conducting thorough risk assessments
• Safe manual handling and lifting techniques
• Fire safety awareness and emergency drills
• COSHH regulations and chemical safety
• Promoting a proactive safety culture

Why Investing in Health and Social Care Courses Matters for Your Care Home

In an increasingly regulated and competitive care sector, having a well-trained team is key to delivering outstanding care. Investing in accredited health and social care courses not only improves service quality but also boosts staff confidence, satisfaction, and retention. At ecert, our flexible online health and social care courses make it easy for care home managers to upskill their teams without disrupting daily operations. 

Browse our courses today and empower your staff to deliver the exceptional care your residents deserve.