Aim of the Course

This course aims to help frontline health and social care workers recognise fall risks, apply practical prevention measures and respond safely when a fall occurs.

It promotes person-centred risk management without unnecessarily restricting a person’s movement or independence.

Scope of the Course

The course is suitable for healthcare assistants, care assistants, support workers, senior carers and similar staff working with adults in care homes, supported living, community care and related services in England.

It provides awareness rather than clinical authorisation. Learners must follow their employer’s policies, care plans and emergency procedures and must not undertake clinical assessments, use lifting equipment or assist someone from the floor unless trained, competent and authorised.

What This Course Covers

The course covers:

1. Causes and consequences of falls
2. Personal, environmental and activity-related risk factors
3. Changes that require reassessment or escalation
4. Person-centred falls assessment and care planning
5. Safe mobility and appropriate use of equipment
6. Environmental hazard reduction
7. Nutrition, hydration, vision, footwear and continence
8. Medicines and health conditions associated with falls
9. Immediate action after a fall
10. Emergency warning signs and clinical escalation
11. Safe recovery from the floor
12. Recording, reporting, review and prevention of recurrence

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

1. Define a fall and explain its potential consequences.
2. Identify common personal, medical, environmental and activity-related risk factors.
3. Recognise changes that may increase a person’s fall risk.
4. Describe how person-centred care planning supports prevention.
5. Apply practical environmental fall-prevention measures.
6. Support mobility while maintaining dignity, choice and independence.
7. Explain how hydration, nutrition, continence, footwear and sensory needs affect risk.
8. Recognise when medicines or health concerns require escalation to an appropriate professional.
9. Take safe immediate action after witnessing or discovering a fall.
10. Identify warning signs requiring urgent clinical assessment or emergency assistance.
11. Explain why a fallen person should not automatically be lifted or moved.
12. Follow trained and authorised procedures for safe recovery from the floor.
13. Record and report a fall accurately and promptly.
14. Contribute relevant information to post-fall review and care-plan updates.
15. Apply fall-prevention and management principles to realistic care scenarios.

Further Reading and References

1. Legislation: Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires providers to assess risks and deliver care safely. Read Regulation 12
2. National guidance: NICE Guideline NG249 — Falls: assessment and prevention in older people and in people 50 and over at higher risk replaced CG161 in April 2025. Read NICE NG249
3. Regulatory guidance: CQC explains provider responsibilities for assessing risks, preventing avoidable harm and delivering safe care under Regulation 12. Read CQC Regulation 12 guidance
4. Public-health guidance: GOV.UK’s Falls: applying All Our Health provides evidence-based information on preventing falls and maintaining strength, balance and independence. Read GOV.UK falls guidance