Unconscious bias affects us all. It shapes how we think, feel, and act without us even realising it. In health and social care, unconscious bias can have wide-reaching effects on the care people who use services receive and the relationships you have with colleagues.

This free Unconscious Bias online course is designed to help you understand unconscious bias, its impact, and how to address it. With practical strategies and clear examples focused on the health and social care sector, you’ll gain the tools to create a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Whether you’re looking to expand your understanding or improve your working practices, this free unconscious bias course will guide you step-by-step. You’ll learn about the brain’s role in unconscious bias, the types of biases we encounter, and how to challenge these biases in yourself and your organisation.

By making small, positive changes, you can significantly improve outcomes for both people who use services and your team. Let’s begin the journey towards building a more inclusive, fair, and understanding workplace.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Unconscious bias is something that often goes unnoticed – but its effects are very real. Understanding unconscious bias is an important step in improving care practices and creating a workplace where everyone is valued. If you’re in the social care sector, this course is a must for your professional development.

Here’s why this course is for you:

• Improve the care you provide: Unconscious bias can unintentionally affect your decisions and interactions with people who use services. By recognising and addressing your own biases, you’ll create a fairer and more supportive care environment.
• Build stronger workplace relationships: Biases can influence how we treat colleagues, affecting trust and collaboration. This course helps you work more effectively as part of a team.
• Learn practical strategies: You’ll explore tools and techniques to manage and reduce unconscious bias in your daily actions and decisions. The content is easy to apply to real-world scenarios.
• Gain confidence in equality laws and practices: The course covers the legal landscape in England, helping you understand how to work within frameworks that promote inclusion and diversity.

By the end, you’ll see how addressing bias isn’t just about fairness – it’s about providing better support and care for everyone.

Learning Outcomes

This course offers a well-rounded learning experience, empowering you with the knowledge and skills to challenge unconscious bias effectively. By the time you finish, you’ll be able to:

• Explain what unconscious bias is and its relevance in health and social care.
• Understand how the brain forms biases and how they influence decisions.
• Identify types of unconscious bias like affinity bias, confirmation bias, and performance bias.
• Explore how bias affects people who use services and workplace dynamics.
• Recognise real-world examples of bias in health and social care settings.
• Develop strategies to reduce bias, including mindfulness and perspective-taking.
• Promote inclusion and diversity through personal and organisational changes.
• Take practical steps to challenge bias in everyday interactions.
• Create a personal action plan to address your own biases moving forward.
• Apply inclusion practices that improve outcomes for people who use services.
• Understand your legal and professional responsibilities within the UK.

By focusing on both personal awareness and organisational strategies, this course equips you to make meaningful changes that benefit your team, workplace, and the people you support.

Unconscious Bias in Health and Social Care Course Outline

Module 1: Understanding the Concept of Unconscious Bias
Learners will explore what unconscious bias is, how it develops, and why it matters in health and social care settings. The module explains how biases operate automatically in the brain and introduces common types such as affinity bias, confirmation bias, and attribution bias. Learners will gain awareness of how these unconscious processes can influence their perceptions, judgements, and professional interactions.

Module 2: The Impact of Unconscious Bias
This module examines how unconscious bias affects decision-making, communication, and care delivery. Learners will explore real-life examples of bias in clinical and social care scenarios and consider the potential consequences for individuals receiving care. The module reinforces the importance of equitable treatment, empathy, and reflective practice in maintaining fairness and trust.

Module 3: Inclusion and Diversity
Learners will gain an understanding of inclusion and diversity within the context of health and social care. The module highlights the benefits of inclusive environments for both staff and people who use services. It also identifies barriers created by unconscious bias and explores practical ways to promote equality, representation, and belonging across teams and services.

Module 4: Strategies to Mitigate Unconscious Bias
This module introduces evidence-based techniques for recognising and reducing unconscious bias. Learners will explore how self-awareness, mindfulness, and perspective-taking can help challenge automatic thinking patterns. The module also examines organisational strategies—such as training, data monitoring, and inclusive recruitment—that support a culture of fairness and respect.

Module 5: Learning to Practise Inclusively
Learners will apply their understanding to everyday situations in care environments. The module focuses on practical steps for challenging bias in communication, teamwork, and care planning. Learners will develop a personal action plan to embed inclusive practices and ensure decisions and behaviours reflect equality, dignity, and respect for all.

Module 6: Legal and Organisational Contexts
This module explores the legal framework and professional responsibilities that underpin fair treatment in the workplace. Learners will review relevant UK legislation such as the Equality Act 2010 and understand how unconscious bias can lead to discrimination if unaddressed. Real-world case studies demonstrate how health and social care organisations use inclusive policies to meet legal and ethical standards.

Module 7: Practical Exercises and Reflection
Learners will engage in reflective and interactive exercises designed to identify and challenge personal biases. Activities such as the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and scenario-based discussions will help learners explore their own attitudes in a safe, non-judgemental environment. The module concludes with guided reflection to support long-term awareness and behavioural change.

Target Audience

This course is created for anyone working in the social care sector who wants to challenge their unconscious biases and improve outcomes. It’s particularly helpful for:

• Carers, support workers, and healthcare assistants.
• Team leaders and managers keen to create inclusive environments for their staff.
• HR professionals looking for strategies to address bias in recruitment and workplace culture.
• Community care workers wanting to deliver equal and fair support to all people who use services.

Whether you’re new to social care or an experienced professional, you’ll find this course full of practical, actionable knowledge to apply immediately.

FAQ

How long will the course take to complete?
This is a flexible, self-paced course. Expect to spend around 2 hours completing the content, but you can work at your own speed.

Do I need to have prior knowledge on this topic?
No. This course starts with basic concepts and builds your understanding step by step. It’s designed to be accessible for all levels.

Is this course based on UK-specific frameworks?
Yes. The content aligns with laws, regulations, and workplace practices in England, ensuring it’s directly relevant to your role.

Do I get a certificate once I’ve completed the course?
Yes. When you finish, you’ll receive a certificate confirming your knowledge and skills in addressing unconscious bias.

How will this course help in my day-to-day role?
This course gives you practical tools to create a more inclusive workplace and improve how care is delivered. By understanding and reducing unconscious bias, you’ll deliver fairer, more effective support to people who use services.

What if I have questions or need help during the course?
We’re here to support you. Reach out to our team anytime during the course if you have questions or feedback.

Unconscious bias doesn’t have to hold you back. By increasing your self-awareness and learning how to take action, you can make a real difference in your workplace and for the people who use services. Start your journey to inclusion today!