Get connected to e-learning - for social care providers

Where to find quality, free e-learning

The following sources provide free e-learning that is relevant for social care providers. There is plenty of other material out there. The information within this introduction will help you assess the quality of materials you come across yourself.

We have focused on materials that support formal learning or training in social care, rather than more general social care information services.

e-Learning and related resources from individual organisations

SCIE

• SCIE e-learning modules - e-Learning modules, of varying length, covering topics such as dementia care and communication skills.
• SCIE Dementia Gateway - A collection of different resource types, including e-learning, focused on dementia and dementia care.
• Social Care TV - Short online films on a range of topics. Although not designed as e-learning these videos are useful as learning support materials.
• Care Skillsbase - A set of online tools for use by managers in social care to help you assess and manage language and communication skills gaps in your staff.

BBC

• First click - Online support for people lacking confidence with computers, including a beginners’ guide to the internet and helpline to locate free IT courses near you.
• Webwise - The BBC’s online introduction to computers, covers using the web, using email, safety and privacy issues.

Open University

• OpenLearn - OpenLearn is the Open University’s free resource centre for learning materials. There is a health and social care section. The resources have been developed for a student audience. It may be a good place to search for learning materials on specific topics.
• The Open University also has a YouTube channel with some health and social care-related short films, including titles such as Living with Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy and Coping with Depression.

Resources on specific topics

Drug safety

• The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) e-learning - MHRA provides an e-learning resource on recognising and reporting adverse drug reactions; relevant for care homes with nursing care.

End of life care

• Lessons Learned - Interactive e-learning from Macmillan Cancer Support. You will need to register to use the site – there is no charge.
• Current Learning in Palliative Care (CLIP) - A collection of 15 minute, online tutorials, developed by Help the Hospices.
• With Respect - Training materials for home care and residential care hosted by the Dignity in Care Network and SCIE, two collections of dignity-specific training resources designed for health and social care; downloadable print based, rather than online learning.
• End of life care for all (e-ELCA) - Skills for Care has worked in partnership with e-Learning for Health to provide free access to e-ELCA, End of Life Care for All, for adult social care employers registered with the National Minimum Data Set for Social Care (NMDS-SC).

Health and safety

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Slips and trips e-learning - A short online health and safety course relevant to care home settings.

Learning disability care

• Rix Centre Multimedia Advocacy - The Rix Centre not-for-profit research charity has produced a short e-learning taster introducing the concept of multimedia advocacy for people with learning disabilities.

Mental health

• The Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Mental Health and the University of Birmingham - Free-to-access short films on a wide range of mental health topics, with an emphasis on service user experience. Although not designed as e-learning these videos are useful as learning support materials.

People management

• The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) - ACAS provides 10 short e-learning courses on issues such as managing absence, working parents, age discrimination; the courses are free to access but you need to register.

Stroke care

• Stroke competencies is a free-to-access learning resource produced by NHS Education Scotland with a range of partners.