New to care
Start with the basics
Understand induction, the Care Certificate, Level 2 learning and entry routes.
See entry-level training →Training & support
Learn something useful. Take your next step.
Build skills, grow confidence and keep your care career moving.
Whether you are preparing for your first role, developing specialist knowledge or leading a team, find training, qualifications and practical support across North London.
Starting out? Many entry-level care and support roles do not require previous care qualifications. Employers often provide induction and on-the-job learning. Always check the requirements in the vacancy.
Learning
that moves
with you
that moves
with you
Start with your goal
Choose the route that fits you now
You do not need to solve your whole career today. Pick one useful doorway and begin there.
Looking for work
Build confidence to apply
Get help with CVs, applications, interviews, training choices and local opportunities.
Get local support →Already working in care
Plan your progression
Compare role families, specialist pathways, leadership routes and professional options.
Open the Career Pathway Tool →Care-home practice
Strengthen clinical skills
Find competency resources for nurses, care workers and teams using WHZAN.
Open clinical training →Recommended pages
Your training and support hub
These pages bring together the main learning, progression and employment-support routes recommended for the new architecture.
Core learning
Training and qualifications
Explore learning from entry level through specialist, leadership and higher-education routes.
- Care Certificate and Level 2
- Advanced and specialist qualifications
- Adult learning, colleges and universities
Apprenticeship route
Nursing associate apprenticeship
Learn about a work-based route that combines academic study, practical placements and paid employment.
- Clinical skill development
- Experience across care settings
- A route towards registered nursing
Clinical learning
Clinical training for care homes
Use care-home learning, competency checks and monitoring resources developed for North Central London teams.
- Separate routes for nurses and care workers
- Shared competency resources
- WHZAN training package
Career planning
Career Pathway Tool
Compare roles and see how experience, training and qualifications can lead to different career directions.
- Explore role families
- See progression options
- Connect learning with career goals
Practical help
Recruitment support
Find local help to prepare for work, identify learning needs and make stronger care applications.
- CV and application support
- Interview preparation
- Local jobs and training routes
Put learning to work
Find a care job
Use current vacancies to understand role requirements and see which skills employers are looking for.
- Care and support roles
- Opportunities across North London
- Role details and application information
Learning grows from real work, real people and real goals.
A career that keeps developing
Training can follow your career
There is no single training route through social care. Your pathway can change as your interests, responsibilities and ambitions develop.
-
1
Start
Complete induction, learn safe ways of working and build confidence in your role.
-
2
Build
Develop core skills through work-based learning, the Care Certificate and recognised qualifications.
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3
Specialise
Deepen knowledge in areas such as dementia, learning disabilities, complex care or end-of-life support.
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4
Lead
Move into senior practice, coordination, supervision, management, training or professional study.
For care-home teams
Clinical learning in one place
The clinical hub brings together separate routes for nurses and care workers, shared competency topics and WHZAN resources.
Training for nurses
Use competency modules covering topics such as hydration, falls, catheters, ulcers, continence and end-of-life care.
Open nurse self-assessment →Training for care workers
Assess core knowledge and find learning resources designed around everyday care-home practice.
Open care-worker self-assessment →WHZAN training package
Access monitoring guidance, NEWS2 escalation pathways, competencies, vital-sign cards and equipment-care resources.
Open WHZAN training →Clinical learning library
Browse a broad A-to-Z collection of bitesize topics, including dementia, falls, hydration, infection, medication and sepsis.
Browse the learning library →Learn locally
Adult learning across North London
Local adult-learning services can help with English, maths, digital skills, employability, confidence and vocational learning.
Camden Adult Community Learning
Find adult courses and workshops, including routes back into learning and skills for work.
Visit Camden learning ↗, opens in a new tabHaringey Learns
Explore local learning and skills support for adults who want to progress in work or education.
Visit Haringey Learns ↗, opens in a new tabAdult Learning and Skills
Find English, maths, digital, vocational and employability learning at community venues across Islington.
Visit Islington learning ↗, opens in a new tabBarnet and Southgate College
Explore adult community courses, essential skills, health and social care learning and apprenticeships.
Visit the college ↗, opens in a new tabCheck before enrolling: course dates, fees, eligibility, delivery methods and entry requirements can change. Use each provider's official page for current details. The Proud to Care training page also lists colleges, universities and guidance resources.
Support beside the learning
You do not have to map the route alone
Recruitment Support connects residents with local employment teams across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. Advisers may be able to help you turn learning into a stronger application and a realistic next step.
- Identify your strengths
Recognise transferable skills and the care roles they may suit. - Choose useful learning
Discuss skill gaps, local courses and possible entry routes. - Prepare to apply
Work on CVs, applications, interview answers and job-search confidence.
Questions people often ask
Training without the fog
Requirements vary by role, employer and course, but these answers can help you choose where to look next.
Do I need care qualifications before I apply for a job?
Not always. Many entry-level care and support roles focus first on values, reliability and communication. Employers often provide induction and role-specific learning. Check each vacancy because requirements differ.
Can I train while I am working?
Many care employers support on-the-job learning and recognised work-based qualifications. Ask prospective or current employers what induction, supervision, protected learning time and progression support they provide.
Where should I start if I already work in care?
Start with the responsibility you want next. Use the training page for qualification routes, the Career Pathway Tool to compare roles, and the clinical hub for care-home competencies.
Are the clinical resources only for nurses?
No. The clinical training area has separate routes for nurses and care workers, plus shared topics and WHZAN resources for relevant care-home teams.
What if I need help with English, digital skills or applications?
Use the local adult-learning links for English, maths, digital and employability learning. Recruitment Support can also connect eligible residents with borough employment teams for practical help.
One useful step is enough
Turn learning into your next opportunity.
Explore a training route, ask for local support or use current jobs to see which skills employers need.