Sleep and rest are essential to physical health, mental wellbeing, and quality of life. In health and social care settings, poor sleep can affect mood, behaviour, recovery, safety, and independence. Care staff play an important role in recognising sleep difficulties and supporting individuals to achieve better, healthier sleep.
This free sleep online course provides a clear and practical introduction to sleep management in health and social care. It explores how sleep works, common sleep problems, factors that affect sleep, and how professionals can support good sleep safely, respectfully, and in line with best practice.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
Sleep difficulties are common among people who use health and social care services, particularly older adults, people with long-term conditions, disabilities, or mental health needs. Understanding sleep helps staff provide more holistic and person-centred care.
This free course will help you to:
- Understand sleep clearly: Learn what sleep and rest are and why they matter for health and wellbeing.
- Recognise sleep problems: Identify common sleep disorders and signs of disturbed sleep.
- Understand influencing factors: Explore how lifestyle, health, environment, and routines affect sleep.
- Promote healthy sleep habits: Support good sleep hygiene and calming bedtime routines.
- Work professionally: Follow care plans, respect preferences, and record sleep observations accurately.
- Know when to report concerns: Recognise when poor sleep may indicate health or safeguarding issues.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the importance of sleep and rest for physical and mental wellbeing.
- Describe the stages of the sleep cycle and their functions.
- Identify benefits of good quality sleep and effects of poor sleep on health and mood.
- Recognise common sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnoea, and restless leg syndrome.
- Identify factors that influence sleep patterns, including lifestyle, health, environment, and routines.
- Apply principles of sleep hygiene to support better sleep.
- Use practical and relaxation techniques to encourage rest and sleep.
- Follow professional responsibilities when supporting sleep in care settings.
- Record and report sleep concerns appropriately and know when to refer for further support.
Sleep Management Course Outline
Module 1: The Importance of Sleep and Rest
Learners will explore clear meanings of sleep and rest and why they are essential for health and wellbeing. This module explains the purpose and functions of sleep, the stages of the sleep cycle, and what happens during each stage. Learners will also examine the benefits of good quality sleep and the effects of poor sleep on body systems, emotional wellbeing, and mood.
Module 2: Common Sleep Disorders and Disturbances
This module introduces common sleep problems such as insomnia, sleep apnoea, and restless leg syndrome. Learners will explore possible causes of sleep disturbance, including physical health conditions, psychological factors, and environmental influences. The module also covers recognising signs and symptoms of sleep disorders and understanding reporting and referral procedures within care settings.
Module 3: Factors That Affect Sleep Patterns
Learners will examine a wide range of factors that influence sleep. This includes lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, alcohol, caffeine, and screen use, as well as the effects of age, medication, illness, disability, and stress. The module also explores how environmental factors, daily routines, and shift work can affect sleep quality and patterns.
Module 4: Healthy Sleep Habits
This module focuses on practical ways to promote healthy sleep. Learners will explore the meaning and use of sleep hygiene, including regular routines and creating a calm sleep environment. The module introduces relaxation and behavioural techniques that may support sleep, such as breathing exercises and mindfulness, and highlights how carers can support individual sleep needs while maintaining safety, independence, and dignity.
Module 5: Responsibilities and Professional Practice in Sleep Support
In the final module, learners will explore their professional responsibilities when supporting sleep and rest. This includes following care plans, respecting personal and cultural preferences, and accurate record-keeping to monitor sleep patterns. Learners will also identify reliable sources of guidance, such as NHS, Skills for Care, and NICE, and understand how changes in sleep may indicate health or safeguarding concerns and when to report them.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Care assistants and support workers.
- Health and social care professionals working in residential, community, or domiciliary settings.
- Staff supporting older adults, people with disabilities, or long-term conditions.
- Team leaders and supervisors overseeing care practice.
- Learners preparing for roles in health and social care.
No prior specialist knowledge of sleep is required. The course is accessible and practical for all levels of experience.
FAQ
What does the course cover?
The course covers sleep basics, sleep disorders, influencing factors, healthy sleep habits, and professional responsibilities.
Is this course relevant to UK health and social care?
Yes. The content aligns with UK guidance and best practice, including NHS and care sector standards.
Is the course practical?
Yes. It focuses on everyday strategies care staff can use to support better sleep.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and typically takes 4–8 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.
Good sleep supports recovery, wellbeing, and independence. By improving your understanding of sleep management, you can help people feel safer, calmer, and better supported in their daily lives.
Join this course today and build your confidence in supporting healthy sleep in health and social care settings.
Sleep Management Training Course CPD Accredited and Government Funding
We’re working on getting this Sleep Management Training Course CPD accredited, and any course that’s approved will be clearly labelled as CPD accredited on the site. Not every health and social care course has to be accredited to help you meet CQC expectations – what matters is that staff are competent, confident and properly trained for their roles under Regulation 18. Our courses are built to support those requirements, and because they’re not government funded there are no eligibility checks or ID needed – you can enrol and start learning straight away.
