For care professionals
Working for yourself should not mean building your career alone.
As a self-employed care professional, your skills are one of your biggest assets. The stronger your knowledge and training record, the more confidence families and providers can have in choosing you.
That is why Steadlo has brought together high-quality, free training and resources from the NHS, government and leading social care organisations in one place.
Learn new skills. Keep your knowledge current. Strengthen your Steadlo profile. And keep more of what you earn instead of paying for training that is already available for free.
When a course provides a certificate or proof of completion, download it and add it to your Steadlo profile.
Create a free NHS Learning Hub account as a General User. Anyone in the UK can register. Some programmes are still hosted on the NHS elearning for healthcare Hub while NHS England moves training to the Learning Hub, and some resources may require additional access.
NHS England
Core training covering subjects including safeguarding, infection prevention and control, health and safety, resuscitation, moving and handling, equality and fire safety.
Start NHS training(opens in a new tab)NHS England
NHS learning materials supporting all 16 Care Certificate standards.
The full Care Certificate also requires assessment of your knowledge and practical competence by an occupationally competent assessor.
Start Care Certificate learning(opens in a new tab)NHS England
Four modules covering medicines safety, administration, record keeping, storage, disposal and understanding medicines. Designed for people working in domiciliary and residential social care. Certificates are available for the modules.
Start medicines training(opens in a new tab)NHS England
Learn about mental capacity, consent, best-interest decisions, supporting decision-making and applying the Mental Capacity Act in care.
Start Mental Capacity Act training(opens in a new tab)NHS England
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training helps health and social care workers better understand learning disability, autism, communication and reasonable adjustments. The e-learning forms the first part of the wider training.
Start Oliver McGowan e-learning(opens in a new tab)NHS England
Build your understanding of dementia and learn how to provide person-centred support, communicate effectively and help people maintain independence.
Explore NHS dementia learning(opens in a new tab)NHS England
More than 175 learning sessions covering communication, advance care planning, symptom management, social care, bereavement and supporting people approaching the end of life.
Start end-of-life care training(opens in a new tab)The Open University
A free 15-hour course covering person-centred care, communication, mental health, emergencies and supporting adults at home or in care settings. Complete the course to earn a free digital badge and Statement of Participation.
Start Caring for Adults(opens in a new tab)Information Commissioner's Office
Free training designed for small organisations and sole traders. Learn how to handle personal information safely, protect people's data and build good data protection practices into your work.
Start Data Protection Essentials(opens in a new tab)Skills for Care
Seven free modules covering digital communication, data, online safety, technology and person-centred care. Completion certificates are available for individual modules or the full programme.
Explore Digital Skills training(opens in a new tab)Food Standards Agency
Free learning on food allergies, allergens and preparing food safely when supporting other people.
Start allergy training(opens in a new tab)Skills for Care
Access the official Care Certificate standards and supporting resources to understand the knowledge and practical skills expected in adult social care.
View Care Certificate resources(opens in a new tab)Health and Safety Executive
Official guidance on safely supporting people with movement, transfers, equipment and moving and handling risks.
Important: Guidance and online learning do not replace practical moving-and-handling training. Techniques such as transfers and hoisting should be practised and assessed in person before you provide this support.
View moving and handling guidance(opens in a new tab)Health and Safety Executive
Official guidance for self-employed people and care professionals who work alone. Covers personal safety, violence and aggression, staying in contact, supervision, monitoring and managing lone-working risks.
Read the HSE lone-working guide(opens in a new tab)Department of Health and Social Care
A practical guide for care workers covering hand hygiene, PPE, cleaning, laundry, waste and reducing the spread of infection.
Read the care worker IPC guide(opens in a new tab)Skills for Care
Practical guidance created for self-employed care and support workers, covering professional responsibilities, legal boundaries and providing care safely.
View self-employed care worker resources(opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
Official guidance on working as a sole trader, registering for Self Assessment and understanding your responsibilities when working for yourself.
View sole trader guidance(opens in a new tab)HM Revenue & Customs
Learn which records to keep for your income, expenses, invoices, receipts and Self Assessment.
View HMRC record-keeping guidance(opens in a new tab)Every new skill strengthens the service you can offer.
When you complete a course, download your certificate or proof of completion and upload it to your Steadlo profile.
A strong, up-to-date profile helps families and providers understand your skills, experience and the support you can confidently provide. It can also help you stand out for relevant work and keep your professional record in one place.
Your career belongs to you. Steadlo is here to help you build it.
Also for you: Tax, self-employment, visas and benefits.
Links checked: 25 October 2026.
Steadlo provides these links to help care professionals find trusted learning and guidance. The courses and resources are provided by the organisations named above. Providers may update their content, availability or access requirements.