Care Home Assistant Practitioners (CHAPs) training is transforming how care homes deliver services across the UK. This specialised training programme helps care assistants develop advanced skills, bridging the gap between basic care work and nursing responsibilities. Let’s explore how CHAPs training is making a real difference in care settings.

What is CHAPs Training?

CHAPs training is a structured learning programme that transforms experienced care assistants into more skilled practitioners. It’s like building a bridge between care assistants and nurses, creating a new layer of skilled workers who can handle more complex care tasks.

The training usually takes about 18 months to complete and combines classroom learning with hands-on practice. Care assistants learn new skills while continuing their regular work, applying what they learn straight away in their daily duties.

Key Skills Learned in CHAPs Training

Care assistants who undertake CHAPs training learn many valuable skills, including:

• Taking and recording vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse)

• Basic wound care and dressing changes

• Recognising when someone’s health is getting worse

• Understanding common health conditions

• Giving medicines safely

• Writing detailed care plans

• Supporting good nutrition and hydration

• Working with families and other healthcare professionals

• Understanding infection control

• Tracheostomy and Catheter Care

• NEWs and Basic Observation

• And more

How CHAPs Training Helps Care Homes

1. Better Quality of Care

When care assistants complete CHAPs training, they can spot health problems earlier. For example, they might notice that a resident’s breathing has changed or that they’re not eating as well as usual. By catching these issues early, they can get help before problems become serious.

2. Reduced Pressure on Nurses

In many care homes, nurses are very busy. CHAPs-trained staff can help by:

• Doing basic health checks

• Updating care plans

• Giving routine medicines

• Changing simple wound dressings

This means nurses can focus on more complex tasks and spend more time with residents who need specialist care.

3. Cost Savings

While care homes need to invest in training, CHAPs can help save money in several ways:

• Fewer agency nurses needed

• Less staff turnover as care assistants have better career opportunities

• Fewer hospital admissions because problems are spotted earlier

• Better use of resources and time

4. Improved Staff Confidence and Job Satisfaction

Care assistants who complete CHAPs training often feel:

• More confident in their work

• Proud of their new skills

• More satisfied with their job

• Better able to help residents

• More valued by their workplace

5. Better Communication

CHAPs-trained staff become better at:

• Writing detailed reports

• Talking to doctors and nurses

• Explaining things to families

• Supporting other care assistants

• Working as part of a healthcare team

Real Benefits for Residents

The most important benefits of CHAPs training are felt by the residents themselves:

Quicker Response to Health Changes

Instead of waiting for a nurse to check something that seems wrong, a CHAPs-trained care assistant can:

• Check vital signs

• Record their findings

• Start basic treatment if needed

• Know when to call for more help

More Familiar Faces

Residents often feel more comfortable with care assistants they know well. When these familiar faces have extra training, residents get the best of both worlds – trusted relationships and skilled care.

Better Continuity of Care

Because CHAPs-trained staff understand more about health conditions and treatments, they can:

• Provide more consistent care

• Follow treatment plans more effectively

• Spot when something isn’t working

• Suggest improvements to care plans

Supporting Career Development

CHAPs training offers clear benefits for care assistants who want to develop their careers:

• A recognised qualification

• Higher pay in many cases

• More job opportunities

• A stepping stone to nursing for some

• Greater job satisfaction

• More responsibility and respect

Making the Most of CHAPs Training

For care homes to get the most benefit from CHAPs training, they should:

1. Choose the Right Staff

Look for care assistants who:

• Have good experience

• Want to learn more

• Work well with others

• Are committed to staying in care work

2. Provide Good Support

Successful training needs:

• Time for studying

• Mentor support

• Practice opportunities

• Regular feedback

• Recognition of achievement

3. Use Skills Properly

Make sure CHAPs-trained staff:

• Can use their new skills daily

• Have clear roles

• Are properly supervised

• Can share their knowledge

• Feel valued

The Future of Care

CHAPs training is helping to create a more skilled workforce in care homes. This is becoming more important as:

• People are living longer

• Health needs are getting more complex

• There are shortages of nurses

• Care standards keep rising

Conclusion

CHAPs training is more than just a course – it’s an investment in better care. It helps care homes provide better services, supports staff development, and most importantly, improves life for residents. As care needs continue to grow, CHAPs-trained staff will play an increasingly valuable role in delivering high-quality care.

Among the available training providers, Caring for Care’s CHAPs training programme stands out as one of the best courses available. Their comprehensive 10-day training programme covers all essential aspects of becoming a Care Home Assistant Practitioner, delivering focused, practical training that equips care assistants with the skills they need to excel in their enhanced roles.

For care homes considering CHAPs training, the benefits are clear: better care, more skilled staff, and a stronger future for everyone involved in care work. The initial investment in training pays off through improved care quality, better staff retention, and more efficient working practices.