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HSC Learning release notes for September 2025

Release notes for health and social care eLearning content.

Asa MacLean avatar
Written by Asa MacLean
Updated over 2 months ago

Overview

Due to a security concern, we are removing the translation option within our courses. Where translation is required, please launch in browser and use the browser translation feature.

Subject matter experts continue to review our courses on a periodic cycle and, whilst implementing their feedback, the team ensure the latest quality and consistency guidance is applied. Find out more about phasing out inbuilt voiceover.

We continue to bring our new design to the downloadable Course Resources PDF provided within our courses with a more subtle colour palette, appropriate font format and page layout to ensure enhanced accessibility.

The new design will help you:

  • Recognise the hyperlink's purpose.

  • Explore the hyperlinks based on your interests with reduced click fatigue.

  • Associate the description of each hyperlink with your knowledge gaps.

  • Avoid cognitive overload and only retain information that is relevant to you.


Released in August

Foot Care

In collaboration with our Subject Matter Expert, we have updated the course content and assessment to ensure compliance. We have revised the information regarding the impact of diabetes on foot care, as well as the concerns surrounding the use of acids to treat corns and calluses in high-risk individuals. We have emphasised the importance of completely avoiding salicylic acid when treating corns and calluses in high-risk or diabetic individuals. Additionally, we have updated the assessment question bank with six new questions. The question bank now comprises 10 questions that accurately reflect the course content.

The new course updates will help you:

  • Understand why foot care is crucial for high-risk individuals.

  • Identify when to use or avoid acids treatment for corns and calluses.

  • Stay up-to-date with relevant information on foot care.

  • Test your knowledge with 10 new assessment questions.

End of Life

In collaboration with our Subject Matter Expert, we have removed and replaced inaccessible components to enhance the user experience. We have removed an irrelevant image of a cannula and replaced it with a better representation. We have updated the potential signs and individual may experience when approaching the last weeks of life. We have listed and detailed the five priorities of care you must follow when supporting an individual at the end of their life. We have updated the statement regarding decisions of care that should be planned in advance by the multi-practitioner team. We have updated the terminology, such as "advance care planning". We have clarified the different care planning documents regarding decisions and refusals of treatment, outlined in documents like an Advance Statement, Advance Decision to Refuse (ADRT) and the ReSPECT. We have added more on the impact of culture needs. To ensure the accessibility of the universal pain assessment tool image, we have decided to describe it in a new text component. Additionally, we have provided a new downloadable Resource with further information.

The course updates will help you:

  • Recognise the signs and symptoms of an individual approach the end of life.

  • Follow the five priorities for care at the end of life.

  • Identify who is responsible for advance care planning and decisions about care.

  • Identify the relevant decision-making documents for care at the end of life.

  • Support the cultural needs of the individual around death and dying.

  • Gain further knowledge through downloadable Resources.

Infection in Community Care

Updated information on mask wearing: Check your local policy for when masks need to be worn. If there's an infection breakout e.g. COVID-19, then mask wearing may change. You should not touch your face mask unless it is to put on or remove it.

By only wearing masks when there's an infection breakout, you are able to better build rapport with your clients.

Fluids and Nutrition (also part of the Care Certificate)

In collaboration with our Subject Matter Expert, we have updated the Fluids and Nutrition eLearning course to align with the new Care Certificate Standards. The course now provides clearer guidance on identifying malnutrition and dehydration warning signs, paying special attention on the vulnerable, high-risk groups of individuals. It emphasises the need for daily monitoring and documentation of any changes in nutritional, hydration or assistance needs, which contributes to updated care plans. Additionally, we highlight the importance of considering mobility and liberty restrictions to ensure nutritional products are accessible to those in care. We have included additional information on documenting safe food temperatures and reporting any concerns.

The course updates will help you:

  • Recognise the warning signs of malnutrition and dehydration.

  • Identify what daily monitoring records you should take.

  • Document and report any changes and observations to your supervisor.

  • Follow procedures and report concerns regarding safe food temperature.

Dignity & Respect (also part of the Care Certificate)

In collaboration with our Subject Matter Expert, we have updated the Dignity & Respect eLearning course to align with the new Care Certificate Standards. We have added more information on how to help reduce discomfort or distress for the individual in your care and why their independence matters. We have provided new guidance with daily steps to support independence, such as allowing extra time for task completion and encouraging people to use their abilities by recognising their strengths. We have emphasised on how crucial small choices can be to make a big difference to someone's wellbeing. We have highlighted the need for maintaining connections with the family and friends of the individual, in a new lesson "Nurture connections". We have outlined ways you can support people in your care to maintain connections, for example, by attending community events. Documenting and recording additional information of the preferences or barriers people express is essential to improve care, we have outlined a couple of things to consider on this. Additionally, we have provided a course Transcript document for an improved, accessible experience.

The course updates will help you:

  • Discover ways you can support the independence of people in your care.

  • Recognise the importance of encouraging people to maintain their independence.

  • Identify why maintaining connections matters to those in your care.

  • List ways you can offer practical support for people in your care to maintain their relationships.

  • Document the preferences or barriers people experience.

Communication (also part of the Care Certificate)

In collaboration with our Subject Matter Expert, we have updated the Communication eLearning course to align with the new Care Certificate Standards. We have emphasised the importance of communication beyond spoken words, by adding more information on different methods of communication (Assistive Technologies and Digital Communication Tools). Additionally, creative approaches through music, art and movement are a form of creative expression and communication. We have highlighted the importance of enabling the individual to communicate in the way that works best for them, promoting independence, dignity, and meaningful interaction.

The course updates will help you:

  • Recognise the importance of communication beyond spoken words.

  • Identify various Assistive Technologies and other methods to enable communication.

  • Support the individual to communicate in the way that works best for them.

Your Personal Development (also part of the Care Certificate)

In collaboration with our Subject Matter Expert, we have updated the course content in line with the new Care Certificate Standards. In the Self-reflect lesson, we have expanded the content to include clearer and more detailed examples of questions you can ask yourself when reflecting on situations and learning activities in your role. We have added new information to help you reflect and evaluate your core skills of literacy, numeracy, communication or digital skills. We have emphasised the importance of learning from all experiences, such as daily challenges or peer collaboration, besides formal training. Digital Skills Development is a new section, added to help you recognise the importance of maintaining your digital skills, such as basic computer literacy for your role. We have added a new lesson on Finding Support and Information to help you outline the right support from people and resources you need in your development.

The course updates will help you:

  • Reflect on your core knowledge and skills.

  • Identify available support systems and development resources.

  • Recognise the importance of learning from all experiences.

  • Evaluate your digital skills development.

Infection Prevention & Control (also part of the Care Certificate)

In collaboration with our Subject Matter Expert we have updated the course content in line with the new Care Certificate Standards. Within the How does the body get infected lesson, we have added information on The Chain of Infection. We have highlighted how your own health or vaccinations status can affect the individuals you work with. We have added guidance on the safe cleaning of blood or bodily fluids spills, as well as the safe handling and disposal of soiled linen. We have emphasised the cleaning and decontamination of frequently touched surfaces and shared equipment, following your company's policy or the manufacturer's instructions. We have outlined where to find policy and further guidance from the NHS and UK Government websites.

The course updates will help you:

  • Outline the six parts of the chain of infection.

  • Recognise your impact on the health of those you work with.

  • Identify the safe cleaning and decontamination practices.

  • Clean and dispose of blood or bodily fluids and soiled linen safely.

  • Find up to date information on the relevant legislation.


Released in September

Moving & Handling

We are proud to release this completely evolved eLearning course. The learner will engage in practical, real-world scenarios to understand and apply the principles of safe moving and handling, while adopting an ergonomic approach. This course is suitable for all staff in the workplace.

This course is a direct replacement of the Moving & Handling People eLearning meaning no action is required by L&D teams: newly registered users will automatically see the new content. The title will change on reports and the compliance apps to 'Moving & Handling eLearning'. Read more>

MCA & DoLS

This course and assessment has undergone a maintenance review by our Subject Expert to ensure compliance. We've reworded some content to improve readability and clarified additional text to support learner understanding. In the assessment, any "true or false" questions have been removed and replaced with a written question with four options to choose from. This is to ensure learners are more challenged and engaged with the assessment.

The course updates will help you:

  • Apply the five statutory principles of the Mental Capacity Act.

  • Learn to apply the two-stage capacity test.

  • Act on behalf of those lacking capacity.

  • Understand DoLS procedures and apply the Acid Test.

  • Recognise concerning situations, and know how to escalate.

Dementia Awareness

We have removed a lesson Dementia Facts from this course. This lesson included a Check Your Knowledge question based on statistics which does not align with our best practice guidelines, as data of this nature can quickly become outdated and may not offer meaningful value to learners.

Types and Causes of Urinary Incontinence

We have updated the course objectives and content to provide clearer, up-to-date information on urinary incontinence. Changes include new details on functional and reflex urinary incontinence, a revised normal age for bedwetting (up to seven years), guidelines on medicated treatment, and a section on catheterisation risks. We’ve highlighted privacy, dignity, legal rights, and care provider responsibilities while expanding medication guidance to address prescriptions to use cautiously or avoid.

The course updates will help you:

  • Understand urinary incontinence causes and symptoms.

  • Learn that bedwetting is normal up to age seven and about treatment options.

  • Understand risks of catheterisation as a last resort.

  • Know legal rights and care responsibilities.

  • Get better guidance on medications.

Health & Safety

The Health and Safety eLearning course has been updated with clearer content, and enhanced legislation sections. It now includes mental health coverage, a new lesson on managing mental health, and information on cultural sensitivity, risk assessments, and digital working considerations.

The updates to the course will help you:

  • Access improved and updated content on health and safety.

  • Recognise the importance of mental health in the workplace.

  • Manage mental health and personal wellbeing.

  • Promote inclusive working practices.


Coming next month

Safeguarding Children

Our new Safeguarding Children course is coming out next month.

Safeguarding children is an essential responsibility for everyone involved in their care. This interactive course helps you become vigilant, informed, and proactive in safeguarding children, ensuring you can play a vital role in protecting young people and promoting their safety and wellbeing.

Care Certificate

We have been implementing changes to align with the updated Care Certificate Standards launched in March 2025. For the new Standard 16: Awareness of learning disability and autism, your organisation should consider what training is required. An introduction will still be covered in our Care Certificate course. If required, the Oliver McGowan eLearning is available on our platform, please follow the link for guidance on requesting it.


How to get this update

All other updates have been automatically applied before the end of the month.

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