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HSC Learning release notes for August 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. We hope to bring an improved translation option out later this year, in the meantime, 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.


Changes in July - Data Protection Courses

Data Protection UK including GDPR

This course was updated in April with new modules covering all the requisite content in an engaging way. The subject matter experts determined there was no need for a separate course aimed at managers, and so all learners should be allocated this course. Check the rules set up in your instance, there should be at least one for allocation and one for renewal: Read more>

If you want to access the new modules, your admin can reset your Learning Management System (LMS) progress. Once this is done, you’ll be able to view the latest content. All new users will immediately see the new content.

UK Data Protection for Managers

Based on the updates to the Data Protection UK including GDPR course described above, the content within this course has been archived and the course itself will be archived at the end of July. Please ensure you remove all associated rules.


Released in July

Oral Health

We've updated the course content and assessment for compliance, collaborating with our Subject Matter Expert. To enhance accessibility, we removed unnecessary graphics and in-build VO. We revised the oral health care definition and included interdental brushing in hygiene practices, highlighting the damage caused by wooden toothpicks. Information on health issues from poor oral health, like mouth ulcers, has been updated. Updated guidance on antiseptic mouthwash use is provided.

Titles and guidance on the manual brushing technique are now better aligned. The downloadable resources PDF reflects the new design, with summary descriptions for hyperlinks. We have updated the question bank and created a set of 16 multiple-choice questions that match the revised content. The course assessment consists of 10 randomised questions and a 70% pass mark.

The course updates will help you:

  • Navigate the course with improved accessibility.

  • Reduce the cognitive load with on-the-go downloadable resources.

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

  • Identify simple and clear oral health practices.

  • Test your knowledge with 10 new assessment questions.


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.


Coming next month

Moving & Handling People

Our new Moving & Handling People course is coming out next month.

We perform moving and handling tasks daily, from standing, walking or sitting at your workstation, your posture has a direct impact on your health. Learn about body movement and the associated risk factors to ensure you maintain a good posture and natural alignment. You can avoid injuries by following legislation, safe systems of work, and good policies and procedures. In this course you will find what your duties are as an employer or employee for the safety of yourself and those around you.

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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