News release - 11 June 2010

Skills for Care have launched a refreshed version of the hugely influential Common Induction Standards to make sure they reflect current policy and practice across the adult social care sector.

The standards were revised after extensive consultation across the sector to make sure that people entering adult social care have the maximum support and guidance as they begin their careers.

Feedback from employers indicates that effective implementation of the Common Induction Standards is a significant step in the delivery of high quality care and support for new starters.

The refreshed standards will map to the mandatory units of the new Health and Social Care Diploma - part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework - to make sure there is a consistency of approach for the workforce. There are now eight new standards which will not take new staff any longer to complete. The new standards are:

Standard 1 - Role of the health and social care workers

Standard 2 - Personal development

Standard 3 - Communicate effectively

Standard 4 - Equality and inclusion

Standard 5 - Principles for implementing duty of care

Standard 6 - Principles of safeguarding in health and social care

Standard 7 - Person centred support

Standard 8 - Health and safety in an adult social care setting

The Care Quality Commission's essential Standards of Quality and Safety highlight the importance and value of strong and comprehensive induction and they will need to be assured that staff have undergone a through induction process.

"The Common Induction Standards have proved to be incredibly popular with employers and employees but the new standards are designed to be fit for purpose reflecting the very latest policy and practice as our sector continues to evolve," says Skills for Care CEO Andrea Rowe.

"We know how vital good induction is to making sure people have the right start in their adult social care careers and we are confident the refreshed Common Induction Standards will support employers who are committed to developing the skills and knowledge of their staff from day one."

To download the standards go to www.skillsforcare.org.uk/cis