Duty of Candour Training Course

Understanding the Duty of Candour is essential for delivering safe, transparent care in the social care sector. Mistakes can happen, and how you respond matters. Accountability, communication, and organisational openness are not just legal requirements—they build trust and improve the experiences of people who use services.

This free duty of candour training course equips you with practical knowledge to meet the Duty of Candour requirements. Whether handling tricky conversations or documenting incidents properly, you’ll gain valuable skills that directly apply to your work in health and social care.

If you’re looking to feel more confident in sensitive situations, understand your professional responsibilities, and ensure you meet regulations, this course is designed for you. Together, we can promote a culture where openness leads to better care and outcomes.

Why Take This Course?

The Duty of Candour is part of your everyday role, whether you’re caring for individuals or working behind the scenes to help services operate smoothly. Being prepared to act honestly when something goes wrong benefits everyone involved—from the organisation providing care to the people directly affected.

Here are some reasons learners find this course useful:

• Build confidence in challenging situations: You’ll learn how to handle conversations with people who use services and their families when discussing incidents that involve harm or risk. Knowing the right steps increases your confidence, helping you to act with empathy and openness.
• Understand your professional responsibilities: Clear and honest communication is the foundation of good care. This training explores how professional and statutory duties apply to your role, giving you clarity on how to approach safety incidents.
• Stay compliant with legal standards: Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act requires you to meet specific standards relating to the Duty of Candour. By taking this course, you’ll get to grips with the legal requirements and understand how they influence your daily tasks.
• Learn practical tools and strategies: It’s not just theory. You’ll receive actionable advice on policy development, investigations, and communicating effectively. Use these tools to support an open environment within your organisation.

By joining this course, you’ll have the chance to strengthen your skills, stay compliant, and enhance the experiences of people who use services.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, you’ll feel confident in applying the principles of the Duty of Candour to your work. Specifically, you’ll learn:

• What the Duty of Candour means and when it applies in health and social care.
• How to identify notifiable safety incidents, including recognising different levels of harm and their implications.
• What to do during a safety incident, including offering honest communication, timely apologies, and truthful explanations to people who use services and their families.
• How to improve your communication skills for sensitive situations, including apologising sincerely without making legal admissions.
• How organisations can create policies to encourage transparency and comply with the statutory Duty of Candour.
• Methods for reporting and investigating incidents, including documenting facts clearly and notifying relevant individuals.
• The role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in supporting a culture of openness and monitoring compliance.
• How applying the Duty of Candour contributes to learning and improvement within care services.
• Guidance, support, and remedies for people who use services and their families after an incident.

All modules focus on practical methods and realistic examples to help you put the Duty of Candour into action.

Target Audience

This course is open to anyone working in health or social care roles across England. It’s useful for:

• Health and Social Care workers, carers, and support workers who interact with people who use services daily.
• Team leaders or managers responsible for overseeing staff who deliver care.
• HR professionals and organisational leaders designing policies to improve communication and transparency.
• Healthcare professionals looking to meet their standard duties and stay compliant with regulations.

Whether you’re just starting your career or already experienced in social care, this training builds your confidence and knowledge around sharing information openly and applying the Duty of Candour.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does this course take?
The course includes around one hour of content. You can complete it at your own pace with flexible access.

Do I need prior knowledge?
No previous experience is required. The course begins with basic concepts before exploring more detailed practice.

Is the course relevant to me?
If you work in health or social care in England, this course relates directly to your role. It’s based on the UK’s legal framework and practical experiences shared by workers like you.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes! Finish the course and receive a certificate to showcase your knowledge of the Duty of Candour.

Can I implement this in my current role?
Absolutely. From communicating effectively to understanding legal requirements, everything you learn is designed to use right away in your day-to-day tasks.

Start your learning today. Develop your skills, gain confidence, and make a positive impact for people who use services by understanding the Duty of Candour.