This advance care planning course is for care home staff and others involved in supporting residents with future care discussions. It explains how advance care planning helps people record their wishes, preferences and priorities so that care remains person-centred, respectful and well communicated when decisions are needed.
This free course covers advance care plans, advance statements, advance decisions to refuse treatment, DNACPR decisions, the ReSPECT process, mental capacity, family involvement, safe record keeping, sharing plans and responding during urgent situations. It also explores when to seek senior, clinical or specialist advice.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
Advance care planning matters because it helps residents, families, care home staff and health professionals work from a shared understanding of the person’s wishes. This course supports safer, more confident practice by helping learners recognise their role, communicate sensitively and know when to escalate concerns.
This course will help you to:
- Understand what advance care planning means in a care home setting
- Support person-centred conversations about future care
- Recognise the difference between preferences, advance decisions and clinical plans
- Understand the purpose and limits of DNACPR decisions
- Identify how ReSPECT plans support emergency care planning
- Apply Mental Capacity Act principles to future care discussions
- Involve families, carers, advocates and chaplains appropriately
- Record, share and review care plans safely
- Respond more confidently during transfers and emergencies
- Know when to seek senior, clinical or specialist advice
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define advance care planning and explain the purpose of an advance care plan
- Describe why advance care planning is important for care home residents
- Identify who may be involved in planning conversations
- Explain the difference between an advance care plan and an advance decision to refuse treatment
- Describe what DNACPR and ReSPECT decisions mean in practice
- Apply key mental capacity principles to advance care planning
- Use person-centred communication skills during sensitive discussions
- Identify what should be recorded, shared and reviewed
- Explain safe handover during transfers and emergencies
- Recognise when clinical, legal, safeguarding or specialist advice is needed
Advance Care Planning in Care Homes Course Outline
Module 1: Understanding Advance Care Planning
Learners will explore what advance care planning means, including its voluntary and person-centred nature. This module explains how care plans record a person’s wishes, values, routines, preferences and support needs, and why planning ahead can reduce confusion during deterioration or crisis. Learners will also consider who should be involved, how consent and confidentiality apply, and why timely conversations can support dignity, comfort and safer decisions.
Module 2: Key Planning Documents and Decisions
Learners will examine advance statements, care preferences, advance decisions to refuse treatment, DNACPR decisions and the ReSPECT process. This module explains how each type of document or decision supports future care, what legal effect may apply, and why staff must understand the difference between guidance, preferences and legally binding refusals of treatment. It also reinforces that DNACPR decisions relate only to CPR and do not mean that other care should stop.
Module 3: Mental Capacity, Legal Duties and Role Boundaries
Learners will consider how the Mental Capacity Act 2005 applies to advance care planning, including presuming capacity, supporting decision-making and assessing capacity for specific decisions. This module covers valid and applicable advance decisions, best interests decision-making, lasting powers of attorney, advocacy and the importance of clear records. It also outlines what care workers and non-clinical staff can safely do, and when they must seek senior or clinical advice.
Module 4: Sensitive Conversations and Appropriate Involvement
Learners will look at suitable times to begin advance care planning conversations, including planned reviews and changes in health. This module focuses on person-centred communication skills such as asking permission, using plain language, listening fully, allowing time, checking understanding and respecting refusal. It also explains how to involve family members, carers, advocates and chaplains in a way that respects the resident’s wishes, consent, cultural needs and confidentiality.
Module 5: Recording, Sharing and Reviewing Plans
Learners will learn what should be included in an advance care plan, such as preferences for care, communication needs, contacts, cultural or spiritual wishes, treatment preferences and relevant planning documents. This module explains how plans should be shared safely through agreed systems, including care home records, GP practices, community teams, urgent care routes and ambulance services where appropriate. It also covers review triggers such as health changes, hospital transfers, new diagnoses, changes in capacity and updated wishes.
Module 6: Urgent Decisions, Escalation and Unclear Plans
Learners will explore how advance care plans support urgent decision-making when a resident deteriorates suddenly or cannot speak for themselves. This module explains when to seek clinical or specialist advice, including uncontrolled symptoms, unclear documents, family disagreement, safeguarding concerns and questions outside the learner’s role. It also introduces NICE NG31 in relation to care in the last days of life and outlines safe responses when plans are missing, unclear or disputed.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Care home staff supporting residents with future care planning
- Senior care workers and team leaders involved in care reviews
- Nurses and care staff working with older people or adults with changing health needs
- Managers responsible for safe care planning and record keeping
- Staff involved in transfers, handovers or urgent care communication
- New care staff who need an introduction to advance care planning
No previous specialist knowledge is required.
FAQ
Who is this course suitable for?
This course is suitable for care home staff, senior carers, nurses, managers and other workers who support residents with future care discussions, records, reviews, handovers or urgent care communication.
Do I need any previous experience?
No previous specialist knowledge is required. The course introduces key terms and responsibilities clearly, while also supporting staff who already have some experience of care planning.
What will I learn on this advance care planning course?
You will learn what advance care planning is, why it matters in care homes, how different planning documents work, how mental capacity affects decisions, and how to record, share and review plans safely.
Will this course help with day-to-day practice?
Yes. The course focuses on practical care home situations, including sensitive conversations, family involvement, reviewing records, safe handover and knowing when to escalate concerns.
Does the course cover practical communication skills?
Yes. It covers how to ask permission, use plain language, listen carefully, allow time, check understanding and respect a resident’s choice not to discuss future care.
Does it cover relevant responsibilities or good practice?
Yes. The course covers good practice linked to consent, confidentiality, mental capacity, role boundaries, DNACPR decisions, ReSPECT plans, safeguarding concerns and when to seek senior or clinical advice.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and usually takes around 1 hour to complete.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued after successful completion.
Advance care planning supports dignity, choice and continuity of care. This course helps care home staff understand how to support residents sensitively, keep records accurate and respond safely when future care decisions are needed.
Enrol now to build your understanding of advance care planning in care homes.
