Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Training for Health and Social Care Professionals

Course Duration: Half Day (3–4 Hours) or Full Day (6 Hours)
Delivery: Classroom | On-site Workplace Training | Bespoke Group Training
Certificate Validity: 1 Year (Annual Refresher Recommended)

Course Fee:

• Individual Booking: From £55 per learner
• Group Booking (up to 12 learners): From £450
• Bespoke organisational packages available.

Infection Prevention & Control Training at Vertex Learning Hub

Preventing the spread of infection is essential for protecting service users, healthcare professionals, visitors and the wider community.

Health and social care environments involve close contact with individuals who may be vulnerable due to age, illness, disability or weakened immune systems. Effective infection prevention and control practices reduce risks, improve safety and support high-quality care delivery.

Vertex Learning Hub’s Infection Prevention and Control Training provides healthcare and social care professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required to maintain safe working environments and prevent avoidable infections.

Our course focuses on everyday infection prevention practices, workplace responsibilities and practical approaches that can be applied immediately in care settings.

Course Overview

This course provides learners with an understanding of infection prevention principles, including how infections spread, how risks can be reduced and how healthcare workers can contribute to safer environments.

Participants will explore infection control procedures including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning standards, waste management, outbreak awareness and safe working practices.

The training is suitable for staff working in care homes, hospitals, supported living services, domiciliary care and community healthcare environments.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course learners will be able to:

• Understand the principles of infection prevention and control.
• Explain how infections spread.
• Identify common infection risks within care settings.
• Understand the chain of infection.
• Apply effective hand hygiene techniques.
• Select and use PPE appropriately.
• Follow safe cleaning and decontamination procedures.
• Understand safe handling of clinical waste.
• Recognise infection outbreaks and escalation procedures.
• Reduce cross-contamination risks.
• Understand staff responsibilities in preventing infection.
• Promote a culture of safety and good practice.

Course Curriculum

Module 1 – Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control

Learners will explore:

• What infection prevention and control means
• Why IPC is important
• Impact of healthcare-associated infections
• Roles and responsibilities
• Creating a safe care environment

Module 2 – Understanding Infection

Topics include:

• Types of microorganisms
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Fungi
• Parasites
• Harmful versus harmless microorganisms

Understanding how infections develop and spread.

Module 3 – The Chain of Infection

Learners will explore:

The six links in infection transmission:

• Infectious agent
• Reservoir
• Portal of exit
• Method of transmission
• Portal of entry
• Susceptible host

Understanding how breaking the chain reduces infection risk.

Module 4 – Routes of Transmission

Including:

• Direct contact transmission
• Indirect contact transmission
• Droplet transmission
• Airborne transmission
• Blood and bodily fluid exposure

Learners will understand how everyday actions can increase or reduce infection risks.

Module 5 – Hand Hygiene

Learners will learn:

• Importance of hand hygiene
• When to wash hands
• When to use alcohol hand rub
• Correct handwashing technique
• Common mistakes
• Protecting service users and colleagues

Practical hand hygiene demonstrations may be included.

Module 6 – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Understanding:

• Types of PPE
• Gloves
• Aprons
• Masks
• Eye protection
• Correct selection of PPE
• Safe donning and removal
• Preventing contamination

Module 7 – Standard Infection Control Precautions

Learners will explore:

• Hand hygiene
• PPE use
• Safe disposal of waste
• Respiratory hygiene
• Sharps safety
• Management of spills
• Safe handling of equipment

Module 8 – Cleaning, Decontamination and Equipment Safety

Topics include:

• Cleaning principles
• Disinfection
• Sterilisation awareness
• Shared equipment risks
• Environmental hygiene
• Preventing contamination

Module 9 – Healthcare Waste Management

Learners will understand:

• Types of healthcare waste
• Safe disposal procedures
• Sharps management
• Spill management
• Reporting unsafe practices

Module 10 – Infection Prevention in Care Settings

Specific focus on:

• Care homes
• Supported living
• Domiciliary care
• Community services

Including:

• Personal care procedures
• Supporting vulnerable individuals
• Maintaining dignity while reducing infection risks

Module 11 – Outbreak Management

Learners will explore:

• Recognising outbreaks
• Reporting concerns
• Isolation awareness
• Communication responsibilities
• Supporting affected individuals
• Working with healthcare professionals

Module 12 – Blood-Borne Viruses and Exposure Management

Including awareness of:

• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• HIV
• Sharps injuries
• Exposure procedures
• Reporting incidents

Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for:

• Healthcare Assistants
• Support Workers
• Registered Nurses
• Care Home Staff
• Domiciliary Care Workers
• Supported Living Staff
• Senior Carers
• Team Leaders
• Clinical Support Workers
• Mental Health Support Workers
• Learning Disability Support Workers
• Volunteers in care environments

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements.

The course is suitable for new starters and experienced professionals working within health and social care.

Assessment

Learners are assessed through:

• Knowledge checks
• Trainer questioning
• Group discussions
• Practical activities
• Scenario-based exercises

Certification

Successful learners receive:

Vertex Learning Hub Infection Prevention & Control Certificate

The certificate confirms completion of infection prevention training suitable for health and social care environments.

Annual refresher training is recommended to maintain knowledge and support workplace compliance.

Why Choose Vertex Learning Hub?

At Vertex Learning Hub, we provide practical and engaging healthcare training designed around real workplace requirements.

Our Infection Prevention & Control training offers:

• Experienced healthcare trainers
• Practical examples from care environments
• Interactive learning activities
• Up-to-date infection control principles
• Flexible delivery options
• Small group learning
• Workplace-specific training solutions

Benefits of Infection Prevention Training

Effective IPC training helps organisations to:

• Reduce infection transmission
• Protect vulnerable individuals
• Improve staff confidence
• Support safer care delivery
• Meet workplace responsibilities
• Improve inspection readiness
• Promote good hygiene standards
• Create safer environments

Delivery Options

Classroom Training

Attend scheduled Infection Prevention & Control training sessions delivered by Vertex Learning Hub.

Workplace Training

We provide on-site IPC training for:

• Care homes
• Nursing homes
• Supported living providers
• Healthcare organisations
• Community care teams

Bespoke Organisational Training

Training can be adapted for:

• Large care providers
• Healthcare groups
• Charities
• Private care organisations
• Recruitment providers

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is infection prevention training important?

IPC training helps healthcare professionals reduce infection risks and protect vulnerable individuals receiving care.

Is this course suitable for care assistants?

Yes. Infection prevention knowledge is essential for all staff working in health and social care.

Does the course include PPE training?

Yes. Learners are taught correct PPE selection, use and removal procedures.

How often should IPC training be refreshed?

Annual refresher training is recommended by many healthcare organisations to maintain competence and awareness.

Can you provide training at our workplace?

Yes. Vertex Learning Hub delivers workplace infection prevention training tailored to organisational needs.

Does the course cover COVID-19 and respiratory infections?

The course covers general infection prevention principles applicable to respiratory infections and outbreak management.

Book Your Infection Prevention & Control Training

Maintaining excellent infection prevention standards is essential for delivering safe, effective and compassionate care.

Vertex Learning Hub’s Infection Prevention & Control Training provides healthcare professionals with the practical knowledge required to reduce risks, protect individuals and promote safer workplaces.

Whether you are an individual learner or an organisation developing your workforce, our experienced trainers provide high-quality training designed for real healthcare environments.

Contact Vertex Learning Hub today to book your Infection Prevention & Control course or arrange workplace training for your team.

Vertex Learning Hub

Promoting Safer Care Through Professional Training