Fit and Proper Persons Employed in Care Course (Level 4)

Fit and Proper Persons Employed in Care Course (Level 4) – Online Course

Course overview
This online course introduces the requirements for employing suitable and competent people in regulated care services. It explores CQC Regulation 19, recruitment procedures, professional body registration, reasonable adjustments and the responsibilities associated with maintaining staff suitability. Learners develop an understanding of how these principles support safer recruitment, professional standards and regulatory compliance. The course takes approximately one hour and includes a CPD-accredited digital certificate upon successful completion of the assessment.

Please note: This course provides knowledge of fit and proper person requirements in care settings. It does not replace practical, regulated or role-specific training, employer recruitment checks, workplace procedures or competence assessments that may be required.

What the course covers
• Introduction to fit and proper persons employed in care
• CQC Regulation 19 and its requirements
• The role of the Care Quality Commission
• Who qualifies as a fit and proper person
• Assessing suitability for a specific role
• Reasonable adjustments
• Recruitment procedures
• Professional body registration
• Consequences of non-compliance

Who is it for?
This course is suitable for people working in health and social care who have responsibilities relating to recruitment, staffing, professional practice or compliance. It is particularly relevant to:
• Care home managers and care providers
• Care workers and support workers
• Registered nurses and healthcare professionals
• Social workers
• Care coordinators
• Quality assurance managers
• Compliance officers
• Staff involved in recruitment and workforce management

It can also support induction, refresher learning and awareness development for employees who need to understand fit and proper person requirements as part of their roles.

Practical benefits
• Understand the principles of suitability for employment in care services
• Recognise the importance of robust recruitment procedures
• Understand the purpose and requirements of Regulation 19
• Appreciate the relevance of professional body registration
• Recognise the importance of ongoing staff suitability monitoring
• Understand reasonable adjustments in recruitment and employment
• Identify potential consequences of non-compliance
• Support safer staffing practices and workplace compliance

What learners will be able to do
• Explain the main principles of fit and proper person requirements in care
• Describe the purpose of CQC Regulation 19
• Recognise the importance of recruitment checks and suitability assessments
• Identify factors relevant to a person’s fitness for a particular role
• Understand when professional body registration may be necessary
• Recognise the importance of reasonable adjustments
• Identify situations where concerns about staff suitability may need to be addressed
• Apply relevant good-practice principles within their responsibilities

Is this training a legal requirement?
Completing this specific online course is not generally a legal requirement. However, in England, Regulation 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires relevant providers to ensure that people employed to carry out regulated activities are fit and proper for their roles and to operate robust recruitment procedures.

The regulation also addresses appropriate arrangements where a person may no longer meet the relevant requirements. Employers should ensure that recruitment checks, suitability assessments, professional registration and ongoing monitoring meet their regulatory responsibilities. The Equality Act 2010 also establishes legal duties concerning reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and employees.

This course can support understanding of these responsibilities but does not replace the employer’s own recruitment checks, policies, procedures or other role-specific training. Organisations should follow the regulatory requirements applicable to their nation and sector.

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete an online multiple-choice assessment. Successful completion provides a CPD-accredited digital certificate that can be downloaded or printed. The course is delivered online, with access available on a phone, tablet or computer, allowing learners to study at their own pace.