Question 1

How many standards are in the updated Care Certificate framework?

Accepted Answer

Following the update by Skills for Care and Skills for Health, the Care Certificate now contains 16 standards (expanded from the legacy 15 standards). Standard 16 specifically covers Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism to align with the Health and Care Act 2022 [1, 4].

Question 2

Do Care Certificate assessors need a formal TAQA or Level 3 AET qualification?

Accepted Answer

No. Skills for Care guidance confirms that assessors do not need to hold formal TAQA (Training, Assessment, Quality Assurance) or AET qualifications. The requirement is that the person assessing must be occupationally competent in the skills they are assessing and understand the 16 Care Certificate standards [4].

Question 3

Which staff require Tier 1 versus Tier 2 of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?

Accepted Answer

Under the DHSC Code of Practice, Tier 1 is intended for staff who require a general awareness of the support autistic people or people with a learning disability may need (such as administrative or non-clinical support staff). Tier 2 is required for health and social care staff who provide direct care and support or who are involved in making clinical or care decisions [2].

Question 4

Are care homes and domiciliary care agencies required to submit a CQC Financial Viability Statement at registration?

Accepted Answer

No. Under current CQC registration rules, individual and partnership care homes, domiciliary care (home care) agencies, supported living services, corporate providers, and NHS trusts are exempt from submitting the standard CQC Financial Viability Statement at the initial application gateway [6]. However, their operational staffing plans, Statement of Purpose, and Regulation 17/18 policies must still be internally consistent and demonstrate sustainable staffing governance [3, 6].

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