Falls Prevention Training Course

Falls can have a serious impact on the daily lives of individuals, especially for people aged 65 and above. They can lead to physical injuries, emotional stress, and ongoing health costs. As someone working in social care, supporting individuals to reduce the risks of falls and fractures is a vital part of promoting their safety and independence.

This free falls prevention online course is designed to help you understand falls, their causes, and the lasting impacts they can have. You’ll also explore practical strategies to reduce risks and respond effectively when incidents occur. By building your knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to help create safe environments, promote healthy habits, and support wellbeing for people who use services.

Whether you’re seeking to learn more about falls prevention or looking for practical skills to apply in your day-to-day role, this course has got you covered.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Falls are common, particularly for older adults, and they can have long-term repercussions. Falls not only affect physical health but also cause emotional distress, such as fear or loss of confidence, for those who experience them. They also lead to increased strain on healthcare and social care systems.

If you’re in the health and social care sector, understanding how to prevent falls and respond correctly when they happen is essential to the work you do. This course equips you with the knowledge and tools to help reduce fall risks and promote the independence of the individuals you support. Here’s what you’ll gain:

• Promote safety and confidence: You’ll learn effective methods to create safer environments and support the overall wellbeing of individuals.
• Apply practical strategies: From strength and balance exercises to home safety checks, you’ll explore reliable ways to reduce fall risks.
• React appropriately after a fall: Understand the immediate steps to support someone after they have fallen. You’ll feel prepared to respond with care.
• Build professional skills: Gain insights into identifying people at higher risk, spotting warning signs, and accessing specialist resources.

This course is specifically tailored to the UK social care framework, so you can apply what you learn to improve outcomes in your role.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this course, you’ll gain practical knowledge to make a meaningful difference in falls prevention. You’ll:

• Understand what falls and fractures are, their prevalence, and the impact they can have on daily life and health systems.
• Identify risk factors, from health conditions like osteoporosis and diabetes to environmental hazards and medication side effects.
• Learn about the physical and emotional challenges individuals may experience after a fall.
• Discover how to assess and recognise fall risks, including carrying out basic and detailed risk assessments.
• Explore strategies to prevent falls, such as strength and balance activities, healthy eating, and improving home safety.
• Be confident in immediate response actions and understand the local protocols for managing falls.
• Understand the importance of working together with communities, families, and specialist teams to support healthier outcomes.
• Access trusted tools and professional resources designed to support your work in preventing falls.

This course doesn’t just focus on theory. You’ll leave with actionable knowledge to use in your role right away.

Falls Prevention Course Outline

Module 1: Understanding Falls and Fractures
Learners will explore what is meant by falls and fractures and why they are a significant issue in health and social care. This module explains the impact of falls on quality of life, independence, and wellbeing, as well as the wider costs to health and care services. Learners will gain an understanding of how common falls are, particularly among adults aged 65 and over, and why prevention is a key priority.

Module 2: Risk Factors for Falls
This module focuses on the wide range of factors that increase the risk of falls. Learners will examine medical conditions such as osteoporosis and diabetes, alongside the influence of nutrition, footwear, and environmental hazards. The role of medications in increasing fall risk is also explored, helping learners understand how multiple factors can combine to raise an individual’s level of risk.

Module 3: Physical and Psychological Consequences of Falls
Learners will explore the short- and long-term consequences of falls. This includes physical outcomes such as fractures, reduced mobility, and long-term disability, as well as emotional and psychological effects such as fear of falling, loss of confidence, and social withdrawal. The module highlights how these consequences can significantly affect independence and overall wellbeing.

Module 4: Assessment and Risk Identification
This module explains how to recognise and report individuals who may be at risk of falling. Learners will explore different levels of falls and fracture risk assessment, including basic screening, multifactorial assessments, and specialist input. Common signs of osteoporosis and other risk factors are discussed, reinforcing the importance of early identification and accurate reporting.

Module 5: Falls Prevention Strategies
Learners will examine practical and evidence-based strategies to reduce the risk of falls and fractures. This includes strength and balance exercises, promoting good bone health through diet and physical activity, and creating safer living environments. The module highlights effective interventions that support independence while reducing risk.

Module 6: Management and Response After a Fall
This module focuses on what to do if a fall occurs. Learners will understand immediate actions following a fall, including safe assistance and monitoring. The module also covers local protocols and agreed ways of working, such as manual handling procedures, health and safety requirements, and first aid guidance, to ensure safe and appropriate responses.

Module 7: Collaborative Care and Community Involvement
Learners will explore the importance of a whole-system approach to falls prevention. This module explains how collaboration between health and social care professionals, community services, and individuals themselves supports effective prevention. Learners will also consider how promoting physical activity and evaluating exercise programmes contributes to reducing falls risk.

Module 8: Professional Resources and Tools
In the final module, learners will be introduced to professional tools and resources that support falls prevention practice. This includes established guidance, assessment tools, and commissioning resources that help services plan, deliver, and evaluate effective falls prevention strategies. Learners will understand how to use these resources to support safer, more proactive care.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is designed for professionals in the social care sector who want to expand their knowledge in falls prevention.

You’ll benefit from this course if you are:

• A healthcare assistant, support worker, or carer who provides day-to-day support to older adults or individuals who may be at higher risk of falls.
• A community worker who gets involved in promoting health, physical activity, or housing safety.
• A team leader or manager responsible for overseeing safe practices and building awareness among your staff.
• Someone starting out in social care and looking to gain practical skills in areas like risk assessment and falls prevention.

Whatever your level of experience, this course is designed to help you take the next step in your professional development.

FAQ

How long is the course?
This course is flexible, so you can complete it at your own pace. It includes approximately 1.5 hours of material.

Do I need prior knowledge about falls prevention?
No. The course is suitable for beginners and those looking for a refresher.

Is the course specific to the UK?
Yes. The course content aligns with regulations and practices in England, making it directly relevant to the social care sector here.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Once finished, you’ll get a certificate that you can use to demonstrate your learning and knowledge.

Can I apply what I learn immediately?
Yes. The course gives practical guidance that you can start using straight away, whether that’s improving home safety, recognising risks, or implementing falls prevention exercises.

What if I have further questions during the course?
We’re here to support you. Reach out anytime, and we’ll help with any questions or concerns you’ve got.

This free online training gives you valuable tools to prevent falls, support safer environments, and empower the people you work with to stay active and independent. Start today and make a tangible difference in their lives and yours!