INTRODUCING
CAREFIRST TRAINING ACADEMY
OUR FOUNDATIONS
Founded in 2013, Carefirst has been dedicated to supporting the care sector through reliable solutions that strengthen services and enhance quality of care. Building on our strong reputation in care recruitment, we launched the Carefirst Training Academy in 2016 to meet the growing demand for high-quality, practical training.
Today, we specialise in delivering tailored training for care homes and healthcare providers across the UK. Our goal is to ensure care teams are confident, compliant, and equipped with the latest skills to provide outstanding care.
From core courses such as Moving & Positioning, Medication Administration, and Basic Life Support, through to Train the Trainer programmes and full team training days, we adapt our training to the needs of each service.
With dedicated training suites in Ipswich and Colchester, and the flexibility to deliver courses directly at your premises, we make professional training accessible, cost-effective, and relevant.
At Carefirst, we are proud to be more than a training provider, we are a trusted partner helping care providers build knowledgeable, skilled teams who deliver the highest standards of care.
OUR ETHOS
At Carefirst, our ethos is built on a commitment to empowering care providers with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to deliver outstanding care. We believe that exceptional care starts with well-trained people, which is why we make professional development accessible, practical, and tailored to the needs of each service.
Our approach goes beyond simply offering courses, we work in partnership with care homes and services to understand their challenges and provide training solutions that fit their teams. Whether it’s keeping staff up to date with refreshers, supporting new starters, or equipping leaders through Train the Trainer programmes, we focus on building teams that are competent, compliant, and compassionate.
Through the Carefirst Training Academy, we deliver high-quality training in Ipswich and Colchester, as well as at client premises. By combining local expertise with flexible delivery, we ensure every provider has the tools to raise and maintain the highest standards of care.
We are proud to be a trusted ally to care providers, supporting them not just with training but with a shared dedication to creating environments where both staff and residents thrive.
HEALTHCARE
TRAINING
We are Carefirst Training Academy
Our training academy are here to provide both mandatory and specialist face to face training courses across an array of health and social care focused services.
Explore Our Courses
Identify your training needs and explore our range of available courses. Whether you require training exclusively for your team or prefer to join an open course, we have flexible options to suit you.
Attendees & Location
Decide how many attendees you would like to put through each training programme and choose your preferred location. You are welcome to use one of our Carefirst Training Academy venues free of charge, or we can deliver training at your premises.
Enquire & Receive a Quote
Let us know which course(s) you require, along with your preferred location and dates. We will provide you with a competitive training quote and a selection of date options for your consideration.
Confirm Your Booking
Once you confirm your booking, we will process it through our system and send you a booking confirmation. An invoice will also be issued, which must be settled prior to the training date.
On the Training Day
Please ensure all attendees arrive 15 minutes early to allow for a prompt start. Our trainers will deliver high-quality, engaging sessions tailored to meet the needs of all participants. If any attendees have additional learning requirements, please inform us in advance so we can provide the necessary support.
Certificates & Training Materials
Following the training session, we will send out full training packs along with certificates for each attendee within 72 hours (excluding weekends).
EXPLORE OUR TRAINING COURSES
Training Booking Options:
1. Book training for your team only (up to 12) either at your premises or one of our training academy centres
2. Book places on an open course charged at a per person rate at one of our training academy centres
3. Book a train the trainer course at one of our training academy centres, we can also come to you
Open Courses
- Book on a per person basis
- Most Popular Care Courses such as M&P
- Train The Trainer Courses Offered
- Perfect for refresher training or new starters
- Ideal for services that hire in smaller groups
- Several dates throughout the month
- Held at our Ipswich & Colchester training suites
Your Team Only
- Exclusive sessions for your staff group
- Ideal for new training or annual refreshers
- Can be tailored to your service
- Delivered at your premises or at ours
- 20+ Face to Face Care Courses
- Flat day rate for up to 12 staff
OUR COURSE TOPICS
Special Offer on Half-Day Courses
If you book a 3-hour course (£450), you can add a second 3-hour course on the same day for just £100 extra.
This gives you a full day of training (6 hours) and up to 24 delegates for £550, making the most of your training time.
| Course Title | Course Duration | Your Team Only Full Day Training (up to 12 People) | Your Team Only AM or PM Session (up to 12 People) | Your Team Only AM & PM Session (up to 24 People) |
| Open Course Train The Trainer Cost Per Person |
| Moving and Positioning of People | 7 Hours | £550 | N/A | N/A | £125pp | £350pp |
| Moving and Positioning of People (Refresher) | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | £100pp | £250pp |
| Managing Behaviours that Challenge | 7 Hours | £550 | £550 | N/A | £125pp | £350pp |
| Managing Behaviours that Challenge (Refresher) | 3 Hours | N/A | N/A | £550 | £100pp | £250pp |
| Basic Life Support including AED | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | £100pp | £350pp |
| Emergency First Aid at Work | 7 Hours | £550 | N/A | N/A | N/A | £350pp |
| Medication Administration | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | £100pp | £250pp |
| Communication and Information | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | N/A |
| Continence and Catheter Care | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | £250pp |
| Dementia Awareness | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | N/A |
| Diabetes Awareness | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | N/A |
| End of Life Care | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | £250pp |
| Epilepsy Awareness | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | N/A |
| Equality and Diversity | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | N/A |
| Fire Safety | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | N/A |
| Health and Safety Inc COSHH | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | N/A |
| Infection Control and Prevention | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | £250pp |
| Mental Capacity Act and DoLS | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | £250pp |
| Risk Assessment | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | N/A |
| Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults | 3 Hours | N/A | £450 | £550 | N/A | £250pp |
All charges are subject to VAT at 20%
Talk To Us
If you would like to enquire about any of our training courses, contact us using the following details -->
TRAINING ROOM HIRE
FULLY EQUIPPED TRAINING ROOM HIRE
Carefirst are committed to supporting care providers with high-quality, flexible training solutions. That’s why we offer fully equipped training rooms available to hire in both Ipswich and Colchester.
Our spaces are designed specifically for health and social care training and come complete with Moving & Positioning equipment, Basic Life Support manikins, and all the resources needed to deliver effective, hands-on training. Whether you're running in-house sessions, assessments, or external workshops, we’ve got everything ready for you.
We provide the room, the equipment, and the refreshments – all for a simple daily rate. You just bring your trainer and your team.
Ideal for:
In-house training days
Train-the-trainer sessions
Skills refreshers and inductions
Compliance assessments
Let us take care of the setup so you can focus on delivering great training.
Seating for up to 12
Each space includes 12 hybrid chair desks that can be configured for left or right handed learners, ensuring an inclusive and comfortable setup for everyone. The room layout is fully adaptable - desks and seating can be easily rearranged to suit different training styles or cleared entirely to create a large open space for practical, hands-on sessions.
Break Out Space
Whether you need space for lunch, group activities, or simply a quiet spot to observe practical sessions, our breakout areas are designed to accommodate it all in a comfortable and professional setting.
Equipment Included
Equipment includes:
hospital bed, electric hoist, stand aid, rota stand, wheelchair, crutches, a variety of slings, slide sheets, WendyLett systems, and more.
Everything is set up and ready to support hands-on, practical training from start to finish.
Additional Facilities
We provide unlimited tea, coffee, and biscuits to keep you refreshed throughout the day, along with a fridge to store your lunch and a microwave to heat meals. The training room is fully air-conditioned to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, and fitted with bright LED lighting to ensure a clear, well-lit environment for learning.
TRAINING ROOM HIRE COSTS
The cost of our training room hire only is: £180 + VAT
The cost of our training room hire with M&P equipment is: £250 + VAT
If you are interested in booking our training venues, contact us on either:
training@carefirst.co.uk or by phone on 01206 585195.
E-LEARNING
AWARD WINNING E-LEARNING
Carefirst are committed to ensuring that care professionals receive high-quality training to deliver the best possible care. That’s why we offer our comprehensive E-Learning & Learning Management Platform designed specifically for the care sector.
Our platform provides a full suite of online training courses, covering essential topics in health and social care, compliance, and professional development. With an easy-to-use learning management system (LMS), organisations can track staff progress, manage training requirements, and ensure regulatory compliance. All in one place!
Whether you need mandatory training for new staff, refresher courses, or specialist modules, our platform offers flexible and accessible learning solutions to help your team stay skilled, confident, and compliant.
Comprehensive E-Learning Courses
Access a full range of expertly designed training courses tailored for the care sector. From mandatory compliance training to specialist modules, our platform ensures staff receive high-quality education anytime, anywhere.
Easy-to-Use Learning Management System (LMS)
Our intuitive LMS allows you to track staff progress, assign courses, and manage training requirements with ease. Stay organised, ensure compliance, and streamline learning management in just a few clicks.
Flexible & Accessible Learning
Staff can complete training at their own pace, on any device, at a time that suits them. Whether at home or in the workplace, our platform makes learning convenient and effective.
Compliance & Certification
Ensure your team meets industry regulations with automated tracking and certification. Our platform keeps records of completed training, helping care providers stay audit-ready at all times.
OUR E LEARNING COURSES
See below a list of our E Learning courses, we are continually developing and adding courses onto the platform. Each course is fully interactive, this means that there are animated tasks and questions within each training course.
| A - D | D - L | L - P | P - Z |
| Adult Support and Protection | Diabetes Awareness | Living with Dementia | Personal Development |
| Adults with Incapacity | Duty of Candour | MCA and DoLS | Positive Behavioural Support |
| Anaphylaxis | Duty of Care | Management & Supervision | PBS Breakaway |
| Autism Awareness | Dysphagia and IDDSI | Manual Handling | Privacy and Dignity |
| Basic Life Support | Equality and Diversity | Medication Administration | React to Dementia |
| Bed Falls Management | Fire Safety | Medication Awareness | React to Falls |
| Blood Pressure Training | Food Safety | Mental Health Awareness | React to Frailty |
| COSHH | GDPR & Data Protection | Moving and Positioning | React to Home Rounds |
| Child Sex Exploitation | Health and Safety | Nutrition and Hydration | Safeguarding Adults |
| Communication and Documentation | Infection Control | Oral Health | Safer People Handling |
| De-Choker | Information Governance | PPE for Care Homes | Stress at Work |
| Diabetes Advanced Care | Learning Disabilities | Person Centred Care | Understand Your Role |
E-LEARNING COSTS
Training Booking Options:
1. Charged per user for unlimited access and includes full management
2. 2-Year contract with no price increases
3. Full management support
| Amount of users | £ Per User Per Month |
| 1 - 10 Users | £3.75 |
| 11 - 50 Users | £3.33 |
| 51 - 250 Users | £2.91 |
| 251 - 1000 Users | £2.50 |
| 1,001+ Users | £2.25 |
All charges are subject to VAT at 20%
TEMPORARY
STAFFING
OUR AGENCY SERVICES
At Carefirst, we provide highly skilled and compassionate temporary staff to care homes, nursing homes, domiciliary care agencies and a variety of other care establishments. Our dedicated professionals are available to support residents with their daily needs, ensuring the highest standards of care and well-being.
Whether you require experienced healthcare assistants, support workers, domestic staff or nurses staff, we are here to provide reliable, flexible, and person-centred solutions.
Residential & Dom Care
Our care team offer dedicated support in residential care homes, assisting with personal care, mobility, social engagement, and daily activities. We ensure residents feel safe, comfortable, and valued in their living environment.
Learning Disabilities
We provide specialist staff trained to support individuals with learning disabilities, helping them maintain independence while ensuring their safety and well-being. Our team offers assistance with personal care, life skills, social inclusion, and daily activities tailored to each individual’s needs.
Mental Health Support
Our staff are trained to provide compassionate care for individuals with mental health conditions. We focus on emotional well-being, stability, and promoting independence, ensuring a supportive environment within care settings.
Nursing Care
We supply experienced nurses and healthcare workers to nursing homes, to deliver high-quality care. Our team assists with nursing duties, personal care, mobility, medication support, and overall well-being, ensuring residents receive the attention they deserve.
Crisis Care
We offer immediate staffing support in times of crisis, ensuring continuity of care during unexpected staff shortages or urgent care situations. Our team is available to step in and provide professional, reliable care when it's needed most.
Companionship
Loneliness can have a significant impact on well-being. Our companionship services provide emotional support, social interaction, and engagement, ensuring residents feel valued and connected.
Domestic Support
A clean and well-maintained environment is essential for health and well-being. Our domestic and cleaning staff ensure care establishments remain hygienic, safe, and comfortable for residents and staff.
Respite Care
Our respite care services provide temporary relief for regular caregivers, ensuring residents continue to receive high-quality care while their primary caregivers take a well-deserved break.
Chaperone Services
We provide chaperone services for individuals attending medical appointments or hospital stays, offering reassurance, companionship, and practical assistance to ensure they feel supported throughout the day.
Chefs & Kitchen Assistants
Our skilled chefs and kitchen assistants prepare nutritious, well-balanced meals tailored to residents’ dietary needs. With a focus on quality, hygiene, and efficiency, they ensure every meal is prepared and served with care.
SELECTION
& ONBOARDING
EMPLOYING THE BEST
At the heart of our service is a commitment to sourcing and nurturing exceptional talent.
We understand that the quality of care relies on the people delivering it, which is why we go above and beyond to recruit and develop healthcare professionals who are not only highly skilled but also compassionate and dedicated.
Our rigorous selection process, comprehensive training, and unwavering focus on excellence ensure that our clients receive a workforce they can trust to deliver outstanding care, every time.
Selection of Staff
We take pride in recruiting only the most skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals. Our structured recruitment process ensures that every candidate not only meets the necessary qualifications but also aligns with our core values of excellence, integrity, and person-centred care.
Screening & Training
We leave no stone unturned in preparing candidates for high-quality care. Our thorough onboarding process and commitment to continuous professional development ensure our team remains equipped to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare sector.
Delivering Excellence
By upholding the highest recruitment standards, we provide our clients with a reliable, competent, and professional workforce. This guarantees exceptional care for those who need it most, reinforcing our dedication to quality and trust within the industry.
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
| 1. | Recruitment Ad Campaign |
| 2. | Application Reviews |
| 3. | Two Stage Interview Process |
| 4. | Conditional Hiring Decision |
| 5. | Employee Compliance |
| 6. | Face to Face Induction Training |
| 7. | Final Hiring Decision |
| 8. | Company Induction |
| 9. | Shadow Shifts and Placement Inductions |
| 10. | Employment Start Date |
INDUCTION
TRAINING
THE VERY BEST TRAINING
Our staff receive top-quality training to provide the highest standard of care. Our comprehensive program includes Face-to-Face Training, E-Learning, & Specialist Courses, covering essential skills, safety protocols, and clinical procedures.
With up-to-date materials and expert-led sessions, we equip our team with the knowledge and confidence to excel in their roles, ensuring the best care for our clients.
Mandatory Training
All new team members must complete our mandatory induction training, regardless of their previous experience.
Training Courses
Our comprehensive training program covers a wide range of topics, ensuring that our staff are prepared to handle diverse situations with confidence and professionalism.
Fully Equipped Staff
This induction training guarantees that our staff are fully equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care to those in receipt of our care.
Regular Course Updates
We continually update and improve our training materials to reflect best practices and regulatory requirements. Our commitment to training not only supports our team's success but also enhances the quality of care we provide to our clients.
STAFF
COMPLIANCE
OPERATING SAFE SERVICES
Carefirst are committed to ensuring the highest standards of compliance and safety in our recruitment process. With a structured and meticulous approach, we provide peace of mind to both our clients and candidates, guaranteeing a workforce that is competent, reliable, and compliant at all times.
Initial Compliance
Our thorough Initial Compliance checks ensure that every candidate meets essential legal, professional, and regulatory requirements before placement. (Compliance needs may differ depending on job role).
On-Going Compliance
Our On-Going Compliance procedures include continuous monitoring, refresher training, and regular assessments. This ensures that all staff remain fully qualified, up to date with the latest industry regulations, and capable of delivering safe and high-quality care.
TIME &
ATTENDANCE
ELECTRONIC TIMESHEETS AND GPS
Our advanced Timesheet & GPS Technology simplifies workforce management, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and transparency. With real-time tracking, automated approvals, and seamless payroll integration, our system eliminates manual processes, giving you complete control and confidence over staff attendance and scheduling.
Clock In/Out
Our staff log in and out of their shifts on their Carefirst app. This enables us to track and approve working hours with ease. Our digital system, provides secure and accurate data. Managing attendance has never been easier, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
Client Timesheet Signatures
Streamlined approvals with our digital client sign-off. This eliminates paperwork, allowing our clients to approve candidate timesheets quickly and effortlessly, reducing administrative workload. All timesheets are compiled and evidenced neatly within our invoices.
Geofencing
Ensure staff are in the right place at the right time with Geofencing. This technology verifies when and where candidates clock in and out, giving you peace of mind that shifts are covered as scheduled.
Automatic Copies
All timesheets are securely stored and instantly accessible. Automatic copies ensure fast approvals and seamless payroll processing, keeping everything organised in one central system.
Report & Export Timesheets
We generate clear, comprehensive reports in seconds. Our export feature summarises attendance data, eliminating manual reviews and providing quick insights for performance, payroll and compliance.
RATES
& INVOICING
AGENCY CHARGE RATES
Due to the competitive nature of our industry, our charge rates are given upon customer enquiry.
To receive a copy of our current rates and terms of business, please sign and complete the below and we will reach out to you on your preferred contact details with the rates and terms of business.
SIMPLE AND CLEAR INVOICES
Our invoicing process is designed to be transparent, efficient, and hassle-free. With all timesheet data consolidated into a single weekly invoice, you can expect accuracy and clarity every time. Sent on 30-day terms, our invoices provide a structured and predictable payment schedule, ensuring smooth financial management.
Invoice Frequency
We run our pay and bill on a Monday which means invoices are sent to the services that have used us on a Tuesday.
Clear Breakdowns
Our invoices are very simple to read with transparent information including full timesheet breakdowns for your information.
30 Day Payment Terms
Carefirst offer 30 day payment terms on our care staffing invoices. This helps our customers manage their agency spend and help to keep the cash flow in their business for as long as possible.
VAT
We do charge VAT at 20% on our services, however some services are VAT EXEMPT. If you believe you fall under a VAT concession, please do let us know.
Seamless Integration
Our systems integrate perfectly with one another for providing fast and efficient processing of invoices and payments. This provides a very efficient pay and bill process.
OUR
TESTIMONIALS
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US
At Carefirst, we take pride in the compassionate and professional care we provide. But don’t just take our word for it.
Here’s what our clients and our dedicated team members have to say about their experiences with us. Their words reflect the trust, commitment, and warmth that define our approach to care.
★★★★★
BEST TRAINING IN 40 YEARS OF NURSING
"The training was valuable for my work environment and the content was made very interesting. In fact, its the best training i have had in 40 years of nursing!"
- Mariana Oliver, St Eliz Care Agency -
❝
VERY ENGAGING AND INTERACTIVE!
""I had Basic Life Support training and it was very engaging and hands on! It was so interactive!”
- Antenella Agyema RMN, Brama Care -
★★★★★
"We appreciate the talent that your agency has provided to our team. We look forward to a continued positive working relationship with your agency."
- Mapfumo Musonza, Julian Support -
"Best Decision"
"I'm loving it, the best decision I made was joining you guys at Carefirst. Finally I know where I am in my life, and can actually make plans around work."
- Kerri Gabbey, Care Assistant -
"Wonderful Working with You"
"It’s wonderful working with you. You carry your carers along, you make sure we are trained & equipped to carry out our tasks. The clients always have nice things to say about Carefirst too, they know they are in good hands."
- Nneka Ugwu, Care Assistant -
CONTACT &
LOCATIONS
CONTACT US TODAY
With offices in Colchester and Ipswich, we are proud to support care and nursing homes across the region with reliable, compassionate staff. Whether you're looking for dedicated care professionals, want to discuss our competitive rates, or need more information about our terms of business, our team is here to help. Get in touch today to see how we can support your staffing needs.
See our contact tiles below:
