Behaviour Change Training Course

Behaviour change is central to improving health, wellbeing, and quality of life. In health and social care, professionals regularly support people to make changes related to lifestyle, treatment adherence, independence, and risk reduction. Understanding how and why behaviour changes happen is essential for providing effective, ethical, and person-centred support.

This free behaviour change course introduces key behaviour change theories, techniques, and frameworks, and shows how they can be applied in real-world health and social care settings. It combines theory with practical application, enabling you to design, deliver, and evaluate behaviour change interventions confidently.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Changing behaviour is rarely straightforward. People may feel ambivalent, resistant, or overwhelmed, particularly when change involves long-standing habits or complex life circumstances. This free course equips you with evidence-based tools to support sustainable change while respecting individual autonomy.

This course will help you to:

• Understand behaviour change: Learn what behaviour change is and why it matters in health and social care.
• Apply theory to practice: Explore established behaviour change theories and how they inform care interventions.
• Use practical techniques: Develop skills in goal setting, motivational interviewing, and positive reinforcement.
• Overcome barriers: Identify common obstacles to change and strategies to address them sensitively.
• Work ethically: Apply person-centred principles, informed consent, and respect for autonomy.
• Design effective interventions: Learn how to plan, implement, and evaluate behaviour change initiatives.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain behaviour change and its role in health and social care.
• Identify common health-related behaviours and their impact on wellbeing.
• Describe key behaviour change theories and models.
• Critically evaluate dominant approaches to behaviour change.
• Apply evidence-based behaviour change techniques in practice.
• Use frameworks such as COM-B and the Behaviour Change Wheel.
• Recognise ethical considerations, including consent and autonomy.
• Design, implement, and evaluate behaviour change interventions.
• Apply behaviour change approaches to specific populations or settings.

Behaviour Change Course Outline

Module 1: Basics of Behaviour Change
Learners will be introduced to the concept of behaviour change and its importance within health and social care. This module explores common health-related behaviours, such as diet, physical activity, smoking, and medication adherence, and their impact on wellbeing. Learners will also consider the challenges involved in changing harmful behaviours and why behaviour change can be complex and difficult to sustain.

Module 2: Behaviour Change Theories
This module explores key behaviour change theories used in health and social care, including models such as the Health Belief Model and the Transtheoretical Model. Learners will examine how these theories explain why people behave as they do and how they can be applied in real care settings. The module also encourages critical evaluation of dominant theories, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and relevance to diverse populations.

Module 3: Behaviour Change Techniques
Learners will explore practical techniques used to support behaviour change, such as goal setting, motivational interviewing, and positive reinforcement. This module introduces frameworks including the COM-B model and the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW), explaining how they guide the selection of appropriate interventions. Common barriers to behaviour change are identified, alongside evidence-based strategies to overcome them.

Module 4: Ethical Considerations in Behaviour Change
This module focuses on the ethical principles that underpin behaviour change interventions. Learners will explore the importance of person-centred care, informed consent, and respect for individual autonomy. The module highlights the need to balance promoting healthier behaviours with respecting personal choice, dignity, and rights.

Module 5: Developing and Evaluating Behaviour Change Interventions
Learners will be guided through the steps involved in designing effective behaviour change interventions. This module covers implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of interventions in practice. Learners will explore the APEASE criteria (Acceptability, Practicability, Effectiveness, Affordability, Side-effects, and Equity) to assess whether interventions are appropriate, ethical, and effective.

Module 6: Practical Application of Behaviour Change
In the final module, learners will apply their knowledge to practical scenarios. This includes conducting a behavioural diagnosis for a specific population or setting, developing and clearly communicating a theory of change, and designing an evidence-based intervention. Learners will justify their choice of techniques and reflect on how theory and practice combine to support sustainable behaviour change in health and social care.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for:

• Health and social care professionals supporting lifestyle or behavioural change.
• Support workers and carers working with individuals to improve health and independence.
• Public health practitioners and wellbeing coaches.
• Team leaders and managers designing or delivering behaviour change initiatives.
• Students and learners preparing for roles in health and social care.

No previous experience in behaviour change theory is required. The course is designed to be accessible while still offering depth for more experienced learners.

FAQ

What does the course cover?
The course covers behaviour change theory, techniques, ethical practice, and the design and evaluation of interventions.

Is this course practical?
Yes. The course focuses strongly on applying theory to real-world health and social care scenarios.

Is the course relevant to UK practice?
Yes. Content is aligned with UK health and social care and public health contexts.

How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and typically takes 8–15 hours to complete.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is provided on successful completion.

Is this course CPD accredited?
Courses are not currently CPD accredited, but accreditation is planned.

Supporting behaviour change is a core skill in modern health and social care. With the right knowledge and approach, you can empower individuals to make informed, sustainable changes that improve their lives.

Join this course today and strengthen your confidence in behaviour change practice.