This introductory sepsis awareness course is designed for health and social care workers who may notice the first signs that a person is becoming seriously unwell. It explains what sepsis is, why it can develop rapidly and how prompt recognition and escalation can help prevent avoidable delays in assessment and treatment.
The course covers common risk factors, infection sources, adult and child warning signs, changes that may indicate deterioration, NEWS2 principles and appropriate UK escalation routes. Learners will also explore clear documentation, structured communication, role boundaries, recovery needs and person-centred support for individuals and families.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
Sepsis can affect people of any age and may initially resemble a less serious infection. Staff do not need to diagnose sepsis, but they should be able to recognise concerning changes, communicate their observations clearly and obtain appropriate clinical or emergency support.
This course will help you to:
- Build confidence in recognising possible signs of sepsis
- Understand why early action can make a significant difference
- Identify people who may be at increased risk
- Notice physical, behavioural and functional deterioration
- Distinguish emergency warning signs from non-emergency concerns
- Communicate concerns clearly using a structured approach
- Produce accurate and useful records of changing symptoms
- Understand how NEWS2 supports adult deterioration monitoring
- Follow role-appropriate escalation routes without delaying care
- Support individuals and families with calm, clear information
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain what sepsis is and how it differs from an infection alone
- Describe why sepsis can worsen quickly
- Identify common risk factors and possible infection sources
- Recognise urgent warning signs in adults, older children, babies and young children
- Describe changes in breathing, awareness, circulation, hydration and function
- Record the timing, development and severity of observed symptoms
- Explain when to use 999, A&E, NHS 111 or GP services
- Outline the purpose and limitations of NEWS2
- Raise a concern using clear, structured communication
- Describe appropriate support, escalation and follow-up actions within your role
Sepsis Awareness for Health and Social Care Course Outline
The course is organised into seven modules. Each module develops practical knowledge that can be applied when observing, supporting, documenting and escalating concerns about a person with a possible serious infection.
Module 1: Understanding Sepsis and the Need for Early Action
Learners will explore sepsis as a life-threatening response to infection that can impair circulation, tissues and organ function. The module explains why most infections do not become sepsis, how deterioration may occur rapidly and why staff should raise concerns before a diagnosis has been confirmed. It also introduces commonly used terms, including suspected sepsis, red flag sepsis, deterioration and organ dysfunction, and shows how clear wording can support timely escalation.
Module 2: Risk Factors, Infection Sources and Community Challenges
Learners will identify factors that may increase the risk of serious illness, including very young or older age, frailty, reduced immunity, long-term conditions, recent surgery, invasive procedures, wounds and medical devices. The module considers infections affecting the chest, urinary tract, skin, wounds and abdomen, and explains how a local infection may develop into wider deterioration. It also examines delayed recognition, atypical presentation, communication barriers, limited observations and information loss during care transitions.
Module 3: Recognising and Recording Deterioration
Learners will examine urgent symptoms such as severe breathing difficulty, new confusion, collapse, extreme sleepiness, a non-blanching rash and blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin. The module explains how colour changes may appear on different skin tones and highlights the importance of checking appropriate areas rather than relying on one visual sign. Learners will also consider changes in pain, temperature, urine output, fluid intake, mobility, behaviour and daily function, together with the factual information that should be documented.
Module 4: Sepsis Warning Signs in Babies and Children
Learners will explore how serious infection may present in babies and children, including very fast or difficult breathing, grunting, chest recession, convulsions, floppiness, reduced responsiveness and difficulty waking. The module explains why early sepsis may resemble a common viral illness and why rapid change, worsening symptoms, unusual behaviour or strong parent and carer concern should be taken seriously. It also clarifies when emergency services or immediate A&E assessment are required and when NHS 111 or a GP may be appropriate.
Module 5: Clinical Assessment, Treatment and NEWS2
Learners will gain an overview of what may happen after a sepsis concern is escalated, including rapid assessment, physiological observations, blood tests, infection source investigations and treatment based on clinical findings. The module introduces NEWS2 as a tool used to support the recognition of acute deterioration in adults. It explains the observations included, the value of repeated scores and the importance of clinical judgement, while clarifying that NEWS2 is not intended for children under 16 and that pregnancy requires separate guidance.
Module 6: Communication, Documentation and Role-Appropriate Action
Learners will develop their understanding of clear escalation using structured communication such as Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation. The module covers accurate recording of symptoms, observations, skin and rash checks, fluid intake, urine output, mental state, mobility and actions taken. It also outlines appropriate responses, including staying with a very unwell person, requesting urgent clinical review, calling emergency services for severe signs and repeating escalation when the person continues to deteriorate.
Module 7: Supporting People, Families and Recovery
Learners will consider how to explain sepsis in plain language while urgent action is being taken, offering realistic reassurance without suggesting that a diagnosis has already been confirmed. The module introduces possible physical, cognitive, emotional and practical effects during recovery and identifies sources of further information, including hospital discharge advice, NHS information and UK Sepsis Trust resources. It also addresses temporary confusion, decision-making capacity, family insight, advocacy for reassessment and the importance of responding when a person is no longer behaving or functioning as usual.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Care workers and senior care workers
- Healthcare assistants and support workers
- Domiciliary and community care staff
- Residential and nursing home teams
- Personal assistants and rehabilitation staff
- Managers, supervisors and staff responsible for care quality
No previous specialist knowledge is required.
FAQ
Who is this course suitable for?
The course is suitable for health and social care workers who may observe changes in a person’s health, behaviour, breathing, awareness or daily function. It is particularly relevant to staff working in care homes, community services, supported living and domiciliary care.
Do I need any previous experience?
No previous specialist knowledge of sepsis is required. The course introduces the topic at an accessible level and focuses on the observations and actions expected from non-diagnostic care roles.
What will I learn on this sepsis awareness course?
You will learn what sepsis is, who may be at greater risk, which symptoms require emergency action and how deterioration may appear in adults and children. You will also learn how to document changes and communicate concerns to clinical or emergency services.
Will this course help with day-to-day practice?
Yes. The course supports staff to compare a person’s current condition with their usual presentation, notice important changes and respond through the correct local pathway. It reinforces that staff can raise concerns without making a medical diagnosis.
Does the course cover practical skills?
The course covers practical observation, documentation, structured communication and escalation. It includes examples of information to record and explains how to describe the symptoms, timing and changes that have caused concern.
Does it cover relevant responsibilities and good practice?
Yes. The course addresses professional boundaries, local escalation procedures, clinical judgement, person-centred communication, safeguarding-style considerations and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It also explains important limitations relating to NEWS2, children and pregnancy.
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.
This sepsis awareness training provides practical knowledge for recognising serious deterioration and communicating concerns without delay. It supports health and social care workers to act confidently, remain within their role and help people access appropriate assessment and treatment.
Enrol now to build your understanding of sepsis awareness.
