A clear care home annual training schedule sets the foundation for safe care, confident staff, and smooth inspections. While training often feels like a box-ticking exercise, a well-planned schedule actually reduces risk, saves time, and supports better outcomes for residents and staff alike.

Importantly, training does not need to feel overwhelming. With the right structure, care homes can spread requirements across the year, avoid last-minute refreshers, and remain inspection-ready at all times. This guide explains what training is mandatory, how often it should take place, and how to build a practical annual schedule that works in real care settings.

Why an annual training schedule matters in care homes

Care homes operate in a highly regulated environment. Because of this, training gaps quickly become compliance risks. However, an annual schedule shifts training from reactive to proactive.

When managers plan training across the year:

  • Staff understand expectations clearly

  • Records remain organised and accessible

  • Refresher training happens on time

  • Inspection pressure reduces significantly

Most importantly, a structured schedule helps care homes demonstrate ongoing improvement, which aligns closely with inspection expectations set by the Care Quality Commission.

What training is mandatory in care homes?

While training needs vary depending on role and setting, several core areas apply to almost all care homes. These form the backbone of any care home annual training schedule.

Core mandatory training areas

Care homes typically include:

  • Health and safety awareness

  • Fire safety training

  • Infection prevention and control

  • Safeguarding adults

  • Manual handling

  • COSHH awareness

  • First aid (role dependent)

In addition, care homes must ensure staff understand how to work safely with equipment and substances relevant to their role.

For example, COSHH awareness training should align with up-to-date risk assessments. Linking training to documented controls helps staff understand why procedures matter. Many care homes support this by reviewing their COSHH risk assessments alongside training updates, using resources such as this practical COSHH risk assessment guide.

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What is CQC mandatory training?

Although the CQC does not publish a single list labelled “mandatory training”, inspection frameworks clearly outline expectations around staff competence, safety, and ongoing development.

In practice, this means care homes must show that:

  • Staff receive appropriate induction training

  • Mandatory subjects receive regular refreshers

  • Training matches staff responsibilities

  • Records clearly evidence completion

Rather than asking whether training appears on a list, inspectors assess whether staff have the knowledge and skills needed to deliver safe care. As a result, annual planning matters far more than one-off courses.

Care homes often use inspection preparation tools to align training with wider compliance checks. For example, many providers review training records alongside their CQC care home inspections checklist to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

How often should mandatory training be done?

Frequency plays a critical role in any care home annual training schedule. While some subjects require annual refreshers, others need more frequent review.

Typical refresher intervals

Although providers should always follow risk-based decisions, many care homes use the following approach:

  • Fire safety: annually

  • Safeguarding: annually

  • Infection control: annually or more often if risks change

  • Manual handling: annually

  • COSHH awareness: annually or when substances change

In contrast, equipment-related training often links directly to inspection and servicing cycles. For example, staff who use lifting equipment benefit from refresher training aligned with scheduled inspections. Reviewing training alongside a LOLER inspection checklist for care homes helps reinforce safe practice throughout the year.

Can employers require mandatory training in working time?

Care homes often ask whether staff must complete mandatory training during paid hours. In most cases, mandatory training counts as working time, especially when the training directly relates to the employee’s role.

Because training supports compliance and safety, employers typically schedule it within contracted hours wherever possible. A well-planned annual schedule makes this easier, since managers can:

  • Stagger training sessions

  • Combine refreshers with quieter periods

  • Reduce overtime pressures

As a result, both staff satisfaction and compliance improve.

What training does a carer need?

Frontline carers require a mix of general and role-specific training. While induction covers the basics, annual refreshers keep skills sharp and knowledge current.

A typical carer training profile includes:

  • Safeguarding adults

  • Infection prevention and control

  • Moving and handling

  • Fire safety

  • Basic life support

  • Dementia awareness (where applicable)

By mapping these requirements across the year, care homes avoid clustering too many sessions into one quarter. This approach also supports better retention, since staff feel supported rather than overwhelmed.

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Building a practical care home annual training schedule

Creating an effective care home annual training schedule does not require complex systems. Instead, clarity and consistency matter most.

Step 1: List all required training

Start by documenting:

  • Mandatory training for all staff

  • Role-specific training requirements

  • Refresher intervals

This forms the foundation of the schedule.

Step 2: Spread training across the year

Rather than delivering everything at once, allocate training evenly:

  • Quarter 1: Core refreshers such as fire safety and safeguarding

  • Quarter 2: Manual handling and infection control

  • Quarter 3: COSHH and equipment awareness

  • Quarter 4: Catch-up sessions and new starter reviews

This structure reduces disruption and improves completion rates.

Step 3: Align training with inspections and audits

Training works best when it supports other compliance activity. For example:

  • Review COSHH training alongside risk assessments

  • Refresh equipment training before inspection dates

  • Update records ahead of internal audits

This alignment strengthens evidence during inspections and demonstrates proactive management.

Keeping training records inspection-ready

Even excellent training fails to support compliance without clear records. Inspectors often focus on documentation just as much as delivery.

Strong training records should:

  • Show completion dates clearly

  • Highlight upcoming refreshers

  • Match staff roles accurately

  • Remain easy to access

Because of this, many care homes review training records monthly. This habit helps managers identify gaps early and adjust schedules before problems arise.

Reviewing training needs throughout the year

Although an annual schedule provides structure, care homes should still review training needs regularly. Changes in residents, equipment, or legislation often create new requirements.

For example:

  • New equipment may require additional training

  • Updated guidance may affect infection control procedures

  • Staff turnover may increase induction demand

Regular review ensures the schedule remains relevant and responsive rather than static.

External guidance to support training planning

Many care homes align internal planning with sector guidance. Organisations such as Skills for Care provide workforce development resources that help providers benchmark training expectations and best practice. Their guidance supports long-term planning without competing with care-specific service providers.

Planning ahead reduces compliance pressure

A well-structured care home annual training schedule supports more than compliance. It improves confidence, reduces last-minute stress, and strengthens inspection outcomes.

By spreading training across the year, aligning refreshers with risk, and maintaining clear records, care homes move from reactive compliance to confident control. As a result, staff feel supported, residents benefit from safer care, and inspections become far less daunting.

Starting the year with a clear training plan sets the tone for everything that follows.

If you’d like some support for your training plans throughout 2025, book a free, no-obligation consultation below.

Care home annual training schedule FAQs

Mandatory training in care homes usually includes safeguarding, fire safety, infection prevention and control, manual handling, health and safety, and COSHH awareness. The exact requirements depend on staff roles and risks within the service.

The Care Quality Commission does not publish a fixed list of mandatory courses. Instead, it expects care homes to ensure staff receive appropriate training to carry out their roles safely and competently, with regular refreshers and clear records.

Most mandatory care home training requires annual refreshers. However, training should also be repeated sooner if risks change, new equipment is introduced, or procedures are updated.

Carers usually complete annual refreshers in safeguarding, infection control, manual handling, fire safety, and health and safety. Additional training may apply depending on resident needs, equipment used, and individual responsibilities.

Yes. Mandatory training normally counts as working time because it supports safe practice and compliance. A clear annual training schedule makes it easier to deliver training during paid hours without disrupting care delivery.

Care homes typically plan training by listing all required courses, assigning refresher intervals, and spreading sessions across the year. This approach prevents last-minute training and supports continuous compliance.

A clear annual training schedule shows inspectors that training happens proactively rather than reactively. It also helps demonstrate good governance, ongoing improvement, and strong leadership.

Training records should clearly show who completed training, when it took place, and when refreshers are due. Records should remain easy to access and match staff roles accurately.

Yes. Care homes should review their training schedule regularly to account for new staff, updated guidance, new equipment, or changes in resident needs.