Care Learning was set up to give people who care for and support others free access to good-quality learning. This page explains who can create a free learner account.
This is a guide, not a complete list. If you are not sure whether you are eligible, please contact us before you register. The full rules are in our Terms and Conditions.
Who can create a free account?
Adults aged 18 or over who work, volunteer, are on placement or study in any of the following areas:
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Adult social care | Care homes, nursing homes, home care, supported living, extra care, day services, Shared Lives |
| Children’s services | Children’s homes, fostering, residential family centres, leaving-care teams |
| Early years and childcare | Nurseries, pre-schools, childminders, out-of-school clubs |
| Education | Schools, colleges, universities and other education settings (staff and students aged 18 or over) |
| Health | NHS and independent health services, GP practices, hospices, community health teams |
| Local authorities and councils | Social care, children’s services, housing, education and public health teams |
| Housing and homelessness | Supported housing, hostels, refuges, outreach teams |
| Charities, community interest companies (CICs) and community groups | Voluntary, befriending, carers’ and support organisations |
| Unpaid carers and personal assistants | Family carers looking after a relative or friend, and personal assistants employed directly or through direct payments |
| Individual agency workers | Care and support staff working through an agency, learning for their own development |
| Volunteers and placement students | Volunteers and students on placement in any of the settings above |
| Students | People studying relevant subjects in the UK or abroad, for their own learning |
Who is not eligible for a free account?
Free learner accounts must not be created or used mainly for the purposes or benefit of:
- training and apprenticeship providers, assessors and training consultancies
- recruitment or staffing businesses using accounts for their own business
- e-learning companies, content resellers and competitors
- consultancies and outsourced business-service companies
- commercial research, benchmarking or content analysis
- anyone using an account mainly to copy, resell or reuse our content
Care Learning is not available to anyone under 18.
Good to know
- One person, one account. Every learner needs their own account. Accounts must not be shared.
- Agency workers are welcome to learn for themselves. The agency itself must not use learner accounts to train, assess or check staff for its business.
- Learning for your own development. Students, and people connected with a restricted organisation, may still learn for their own personal development, but not mainly on behalf of, or for the benefit of, that organisation.
- What counts is the work, not the type of organisation. A charity or CIC that provides care or community support is eligible. One that mainly provides training or consultancy is not.
- Outside the UK? Individuals are welcome. Please contact us before setting up access for a whole team.
- Eligibility checks. We may ask about your organisation or role. Being flagged for a check does not mean you are not eligible.
Not sure? Contact us and we will be happy to help.