CHAPs Training

What is CHAPs Training?

This CHAPs (care home assistant practitioner) training programme is aimed to equip senior staff within your care practice with clinical and management skills, it adheres to many aspects of a registered nursing course. The 10-day training equips experienced care assistants with advanced care, clinical and management skills to support registered nurses.

The current national shortage of nurses is likely to last for a number of years, therefore the CHAPs role is a fantastic initiative in response to the problem.

The new CHAPs role allows healthcare professionals to work alongside nursing colleagues and take on additional responsibilities, creating a solution to the national shortage of nurses experienced across the care sector.

Recent reports suggest the care sector is affected by nurse shortages, with statistics reflecting the number of nurses over the age of 55 at 33 per cent in comparison with 13 per cent across the NHS, meaning a higher proportion are nearing retirement age.

Please Note: Delegates MUST be at a minimum of NVQ/QCF/RQF Level 2 standard.

Nat, CHAPs Delegate – “I found the course actually fun which made the learning easier to do, despite hiccups due to covid. It was brilliant to learn new skills and how to better ourselves in our roles. I’ve found I can now help the nurses more, taking some of the load off them and working alongside them to ensure smooth running and care for our service users”

Hannah, CHAPs Delegate – “I found the course very interesting and not boring like some. What I learned I feel has made me able to support the nurses a lot more confidently knowing that my training was only done recently it’s all very fresh info. Also, being able to take some of their jobs to do myself eg blood taking has been good .”

Nicola, Registered Manager – “We have upskilled our team and bridge the gap between our nurses and care staff. Allowing them to support and assist the nurses. The care team really enjoyed the course and it has added value to our team. We chose Caring For Care because of their great service and they took the stress out of the issues COVID raised, by adapting the way the course was delivered where needed.”

The CHAPS Course Details:

The programme is delivered over ten consecutive weeks, with one day face to face training day per week.

During this time, those enrolled on the programme will complete the following;

Ten Classroom Days covering the following subjects (each link will open a new tab so you can read the content of each course):

• Clinical Observations and National Early Warning Score (NEWS)
• Medication Administration & Management
• Tissue Viability, Dressings, Wounds & Pressure Relief
• Dysphagia
• Enteral Administration/PEG Feed Training
• Care Planning/Record Keeping and Communication
• Stoma Care
• Oral Suctioning
• Catheter Care training/Catheterisation training
• Insulin Administration/Diabetes Management
• Venepuncture & Cannulation
• Portfolio Submission and Final Exam

Workbook Assessments covering

• Reflective Practice
• Further Independent Study
• Classroom Competency
• Workplace Competency on all Subjects

Final Theory Examination – Pass/Fail

Any person who does not complete all requirements of the portfolio prior to submission date will automatically fail the programme.

This includes not attending any of the classroom sessions but excludes workplace competencies which remain the responsibility of the employer.

Our CHAPs course is a comprehensive journey that prepares you for excellence in healthcare. With our practical, hands-on approach, we’re dedicated to empowering you with the knowledge and skills to excel in your career.

Why Choose Caring for Care’s CHAPs Training?

Caring for Care’s CHAPs (Clinical Healthcare Assistant Programme) training stands out because of its strong clinical focus, clear structure, and real-world benefits. It’s a smart choice for care homes and senior care staff for several reasons:

Key Advantages of Caring for Care’s CHAPs Programme

• Bridges the gap between carers and nurses
  • CHAPs are trained to perform delegated clinical tasks, which eases the burden on nursing teams and improves care continuity.
• Structured, competency-based learning
  • Delivered over ten weeks with one in-person training day each week, the programme covers essential practical skills such as medication administration, wound care, PEG feeding, and venepuncture.
• Boosts care quality and staff confidence
  • Trainees develop advanced skills in observation, record keeping, and basic clinical interventions—helping them recognise health issues earlier and support better resident outcomes.
• Reduces reliance on agency staff
  • With CHAPs equipped to carry out routine clinical duties, care homes can cut costs and enjoy more stable staffing levels.
• Supports career progression
  • Completing CHAPs training often boosts job satisfaction and confidence, and helps staff prepare for future leadership roles or nursing career paths.
• CQC-aligned and respected in the sector
  • Tailored to align with regulatory standards, this training demonstrates clinical competence and serves as a strong asset during inspections.

Classroom Breakdown

The CHAPs Training is delivered across a 6-week schedule, with two classroom-based training days each week.

Below is the breakdown of what is covered on each day.

Day-1

• Introduction to CHAPS Training
• Identifying Your Learning Styles
• Reflective Learning
• Basic Infection Control Procedures
• Using Your Senses
• Communication & Dignity

Day-2

• Clinical Observations

Day-3

• Safer Medication Administration

Day-4

• Care Planning/Record Keeping,
• Handover/Delegation

Day-5

•  Pressure Area Care
• Wound Care

Day-6

• Dysphagia
• Enteral Administration/PEG Feeding

Day-7

• Stoma Care
• Catheter Care/Catheterisation training

Day-8

• Suction and
• Diabetes Management

Day-9

• Venepuncture & Cannulation

Day-10

• Portfolio Submission
• Final Exam
• Opportunity to Re-sit failed examination

CHAPs Training Comparison: Caring for Care vs Other Providers

For group bookings, trainings are typically delivered over 10 days (1 class per week). However, we can adjust the schedule for onsite in-house team training.

🏷️Free Resources: Delegates get free resources after training.

Comparing Face-to-Face vs Virtual Training for Clinical Skills

Face-to-Face Training: Best for Clinical Competence

Pros:

• Enables hands-on practice for key clinical tasks such as wound care, venepuncture, and PEG feeding.
• Provides immediate feedback from trainers during practical sessions.
• Encourages team building and peer learning in a real care environment.
• Supports CQC compliance with observed, documented competency.

Cons:

• Requires scheduling and possible travel coordination.
• May involve higher logistical costs (venue, trainer time).

Virtual Training: Flexible but Limited for Clinical Skills

Pros:

• Accessible remotely—ideal for teams spread across different locations.
• Uses interactive tools like breakout rooms and live Q&A to engage learners.
• More cost-effective and easier to fit into busy schedules.

Cons:

• Limited hands-on learning—difficult to teach clinical procedures online
• Relies on technology, which may cause issues or lower engagement
• May not fully meet CQC requirements for observed, practical competence

Why is Caring for Care’s CHAPs Training 10 Days?

To get the most out of the Care Home Assistant Practitioner (CHAP) training and apply it confidently in the workplace, the Caring for Care programme provides participants with daily practical sessions—avoiding the information overload often associated with one-day-only practical formats.

By spreading the course over several weeks, learners have the opportunity to practise what they’ve learned in real care settings between sessions.

This blended approach ensures that classroom theory and clinical practice are meaningfully integrated with day-to-day responsibilities, making the training more relevant, effective, and sustainable.

Comparison: One-Day Practical vs. Daily Face-to-Face

Onsite Care Home Assistant Practitioner Course

We offer onsite Care Home Assistant Practitioner training across the UK, including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. We cover major cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and others such as Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh, Cardiff, York, Norwich, and Oxford.

Our skilled trainers come directly to your care home, saving you time and travel. They deliver practical, hands-on training that fits your care home’s needs.

This course is made for experienced staff who want to take on more clinical responsibilities. It helps improve patient care, builds leadership skills, and supports meeting CQC standards. The training encourages critical thinking and supports staff in growing professionally.

With our onsite training, your staff get personal support, real practice, and the chance to use new skills right away in their own work environment. This boosts their confidence and helps them succeed in this important role.

About Our Trainers

Our trainers for the Care Home Assistant Practitioner (CHAPs) are experienced healthcare professionals, such as nurses and doctors. They bring strong clinical and teaching backgrounds, with many having over 20 years of experience in the field. They are dedicated to sharing up-to-date knowledge and real-world skills.

The trainers aim to deliver clear, engaging, and hands-on learning. They use real-life examples and practical activities so that learners not only understand the theory but also feel confident applying their skills in a care home. Their goal is to support staff professionally and help them successfully step into the CHAP role.

Care Home Assistant Practitioners (CHAPs) FAQs

1. What is CHAPs training?

CHAPs training is a structured 10-day programme that develops experienced care assistants into Care Home Assistant Practitioners (CHAPs) – highly skilled nursing assistants who can safely carry out delegated clinical tasks and provide leadership support, bridging the gap between carers and registered nurses.

2. Who should enrol in CHAPs training?

CHAPs training is designed for senior carers or experienced care assistants who want to progress into advanced nursing-assistant roles, and for care homes that want to strengthen their in-house clinical capability.

3. Will this training make me a nurse?

No, CHAPs training does not qualify you as a registered nurse. It qualifies you as a highly skilled nursing assistant (Care Home Assistant Practitioner) who can perform a wide range of delegated clinical tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse.

4. What topics are covered in CHAPs training?

The programme covers clinical skills such as wound care, catheter and stoma care, clinical observations, and medication management, alongside leadership, communication, and resident wellbeing. You can download our brochure to see the full course content or visit our website here.

5. Why is Caring for Care CHAPs training 10 days instead of 5 or 7 days?

We deliver CHAPs training over 10 days to ensure learners have enough time to cover the full breadth of clinical and leadership topics, practice skills safely, and build confidence through competency assessments. A shorter programme would risk rushing critical areas such as wound care, medication management, and safeguarding, so the extended format guarantees depth, quality, and compliance.

6. Why must CHAPs training be face-to-face/classroom based?

CHAPs training is delivered face-to-face because many of the skills — such as clinical observations, catheter care, and communication in real scenarios — require practical demonstration and supervised practice. Classroom learning also allows for immediate feedback, peer discussion, and hands-on competency checks, which are essential for ensuring safe practice and meeting CQC standards.

7. How is CHAPs training delivered?

CHAPs training is delivered through a mix of classroom sessions, practical demonstrations, and competency assessments, ensuring staff gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. The 10-day programme equips you to be work-ready from day one.

8. Do I need prior qualifications to enrol?

You don’t need formal nursing qualifications, but you should already be an experienced care assistant or senior carer with a solid understanding of daily care practices.

9. Who Will Conduct The Training?

One of our expert clinical tutors, these are either Nurses or Doctors with an abundance of clinical and complex care experience and knowledge – so you’ll be in great hands! We will let you know who is doing the training in advance, you can check out their skills and experience by finding them on our meet the team page.

10. What are the expected outcomes of the training?

The training transforms experienced carers into confident nursing assistants who can take on advanced clinical duties, improve staff retention by offering a clear development pathway, reduce reliance on agency nurses, strengthen CQC compliance, and enhance resident outcomes through faster response and continuity of care.

11. How does CHAPs training support CQC compliance?

By creating highly skilled nursing assistants with documented competencies in clinical tasks and leadership, CHAPs training provides strong evidence of safe practice, effective staffing, and staff development.

12. How does CHAPs training benefit residents?

Residents benefit from faster response times, continuity of care, and improved wellbeing because CHAPs (highly skilled nursing assistants) can handle routine clinical tasks without always waiting for a registered nurse.

13. Can CHAPs administer medication?

Yes, once trained and assessed as competent, CHAPs can safely administer medication under the supervision of a registered nurse and within the scope defined by their care home policies.

14. What support will I get during training?

Learners receive guidance from experienced trainers, practical mentoring, and ongoing assessments to ensure they feel confident in applying new skills.

15. Is CHAPs training a long-term solution to staffing challenges?

Yes, by upskilling existing staff into competent nursing assistants and offering a clear career pathway, CHAPs training reduces reliance on agency nurses and builds a more sustainable in-house team.

16. Can CHAPs progress further after training?

Absolutely — many CHAPs use the qualification as a stepping stone to Nursing Associate, Registered Nurse training, or other advanced clinical roles.

17. Why is our CHAPs training more expensive than others?

Our programme has consistently produced high-quality CHAPs because of the depth of training and the investment we make in ensuring learners are work-ready from day one.

Unlike shorter courses, we provide 10 full classroom days with hands-on practice, supervised competency checks, and accredited content fully aligned with CQC standards.

This investment results in stronger teams, safer practice, and better resident outcomes. The fee also includes learner resources and comprehensive competency workbooks.

18. What qualifications do I need to have in order to enrol?

You don’t need formal qualifications to enrol. The course is designed for experienced care staff who are nominated by their employer to undertake extended clinical skills training.

19. What happens if I miss one session?

If you miss a session, you’ll need to arrange to attend the missed module at a later date. Completion of all sessions is required to achieve the CHAPS certificate.

20. We don’t use one of the skills (e.g., Syringe Driver). Can we change this subject out?

Yes, the course can be tailored to your organisation’s needs. If a skill is not relevant, it can be substituted with another appropriate module.

21. How long is the CHAPS certificate valid for?

The CHAPS certificate is valid for two years, after which refresher training will be required to maintain competency.

22. How do I gain workplace competency and how many times do I need to be signed off in the workplace?

Workplace competency is achieved through supervised practice. Learners must be observed and signed off by a qualified assessor on three separate occasions to demonstrate safe and consistent practice.

You can download our free brochure here to learn more.

23. How much is the CHAPS fee UK?

The CHAPs training fee in the UK, as of the time of publishing this content, is £995 at Caring for Care Limited. Please note that prices may change over time.

For the most up-to-date fee information, you can visit the following page: CHAPS Training Fee.

25. How do I become an assistant practitioner?

To become an assistant practitioner in the UK, you usually need to follow these steps:

• Complete a healthcare-related course or apprenticeship.
• Get hands-on experience by working in a healthcare setting.
• Register with a professional body, if your role requires it.
• Keep learning by taking more training and courses to grow your skills and career.

26. What is CHAPs care qualification?

The CHAPs care qualification is a certificate or diploma you receive upon completing the CHAPs care training program. It confirms that you’ve acquired the necessary skills and knowledge for working as an assistant practitioner in the field of healthcare and care services.

27. Will attending this training make me competent?

In short, no. No classroom-based training course can give you full competency – be very wary of anyone claiming they can. Our classroom-based assessments are designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace competency.

We will be sure to provide you with the relevant workbooks and competency proformas to be observed and signed off within the workplace according to your local policy.

Our Care Home Assistant Practitioner (CHAPs) Success Story

Client:
A 120-bed care home offering specialist residential nursing care and palliative care for those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, confusion, and other related conditions.

Programme: Care Home Assistant Practitioner (CHAPs) Training
Provider: Caring for Care

Background:

The care home was committed to enhancing the quality of care for its residents. The management recognised the need for staff to acquire additional nursing skills, enabling them to provide more effective support to Registered General Nurses (RGNs).

Challenge:
The care home needed a training programme that would give care staff key skills and confidence to take on greater responsibilities, ultimately boosting care quality for residents.

Solution:
They chose the CHAPs course from Caring for Care due to its detailed content and trusted trainers. The 10-day programme covered clinical and management skills vital for quality care.

Results:
After the 10-day comprehensive training, the care home saw significant improvements:

• Enhanced Team Performance: Staff were better equipped to support Registered Nurses, noticeably improving care quality.
• Increased Nursing Support: Staff could take on extra tasks, allowing nurses more time for essential care.
• Collective Success: The training raised care standards, benefiting residents, families, and the community.
• Improved Resident Experience: Better support led to more tailored and effective care for residents.

Testimonial:

“The success of our team reflects a significant achievement, not only for the individuals who participated in the CHAPs course but for the entire community. This training has allowed us to elevate our standards of care and support for residents and their families. The team is now able to provide more nursing assistance to our RGNs, which has allowed our nurses to focus on critical tasks. It’s a true collective success!”

• Care Home Manager

Key Takeaways:

• Effective training to build care staff’s nursing support skills.
• A detailed 10-day course designed for hands-on use in care homes.
• Experienced instructors share real-world knowledge and tips.
• Supportive and engaging learning environment that encourages growth.
• Improved care quality that benefits both residents and the wider community

This success story shows how our Care Home Assistant Practitioner course has helped staff improve care quality, creating a more supportive setting for both residents and caregivers.

A fantastic program that has helped us bridge the gap between our carers and nurses.