Mandatory training for social prescribing link workers

Needed for the role

• Safeguarding Adults, Level 3 (free, 1 CPD hour): RCGP safeguarding standards (2024) put social prescribers at Level 3. Source
• Safeguarding Children, Level 3 (free, 1 CPD hour): RCGP puts social prescribers at Level 3 for children as well as adults. Source
• Resuscitation, Level 1 (free, 1 CPD hour): Resuscitation Council UK says all primary care staff, including non-clinical staff, should train in adult and child resuscitation to at least recognise arrest, call for help and start chest compressions. Source
• Infection Prevention and Control, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The IPC code of practice says all staff, including support and contracted staff, need IPC training relevant to their role, and CQC lists infection control training among expected evidence. Source
• Fire Safety, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The Fire Safety Order (art. 21) requires adequate fire training on recruitment and when risks change, and CQC lists fire safety training among the evidence it expects. Source
• Health, Safety and Welfare, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Employers must give health and safety training on recruitment and when risks change (Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 13). Source
• Data Security Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The Data Security and Protection Toolkit expects all staff with access to personal data to complete data security training every year, with at least 95% of staff trained. Source
• Duty of Candour, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC checks that practices train all staff on communicating with patients about notifiable safety incidents (Regulation 20). Source

Recommended

• Mental Capacity Act, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): RCGP Level 3 standards include mental capacity law, and CQC says staff who seek consent must be able to apply the Act. Source
• Sepsis Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC asks whether all staff, including receptionists, know how to recognise what does not sound right and raise concerns. Source
• Preventing Radicalisation, Basic Prevent Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Level 3 builds on Level 1-2 competence, so take it at induction unless your Level 3 course already covers it; our course cannot give you Level 3. Source
• Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): No law or CQC rule names this course for GP staff; the NHS Core Skills Training Framework sets it for all staff every 3 years. Source
• Conflict Resolution, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The NHS Core Skills Training Framework sets it for staff in direct contact with the public; for GP practices CQC leaves the choice to the practice. Source
• Moving and Handling, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The BMA says the need depends on the tasks you do (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992); the NHS framework sets Level 1 for all staff. Source
• Learning Disability and Autism, awareness primer, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Useful background, but it is not Oliver McGowan training and cannot meet the statutory code alone (no live session co-delivered by people with lived experience, no accreditation). Source
• Complaints Handling, Level 1 (free, 0.5 CPD hours): CQC's Regulation 16 guidance says all staff must know how to respond when they receive a complaint. Source
• Domestic Abuse Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): NICE PH50 recommends GP practices train administrative staff and receptionists to respond to a disclosure safely and signpost to specialist help. Source
• Freedom to Speak Up, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The National Guardian's Office 'Speak Up' core module is for all workers, and CQC expects practices to have speaking-up arrangements staff know about. Source
• Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment (Equality Act 2010 s40A, since 26 October 2024), and EHRC guidance says all staff should be trained. Source

If it fits your duties

• Display Screen Equipment, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Applies if you use a screen daily for continuous spells of an hour or more (DSE Regulations 1992, reg 6). Source
• Lone Working, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): HSE says employers should provide training, supervision and monitoring for staff who work alone, for example on home visits or opening and closing the building. Source

Also needed, from other providers

• Preventing Radicalisation: Awareness of Prevent (Level 3), the e-LfH/ESR course named by the framework: Indicated because RCGP puts social prescribers at safeguarding Level 3 and the NHS framework says the Prevent Level 3 group is the safeguarding Level 3 group; the practice's training needs analysis decides. Source
• Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, Tier 2 (90-minute e-learning plus a one-day face-to-face session co-delivered by people with a learning disability and autistic people): A legal requirement since 2022, with a statutory code since 6 September 2025: GPs, practice nurses, phlebotomists and other clinical staff in primary care are likely to need Tier 2; refresh at least every 3 years. Source
• Yearly Level 3 safeguarding learning and reflection (case reviews, practice safeguarding meetings, reflective templates): RCGP Level 3 standards require yearly reflective learning across child and adult safeguarding, on top of any e-learning module. Source

Other roles

• GPs
• GP registrars
• Practice nurses and advanced nurse practitioners
• Healthcare assistants and phlebotomists
• Clinical pharmacists
• Pharmacy technicians
• Paramedics, physiotherapists and other clinicians
• Care coordinators
• Receptionists and administrators
• Care navigators and reception team leads
• Medical secretaries
• Practice managers
• Cleaners and estates staff