Staff Induction Record & Checklist

What goes on a care staff induction checklist?

An induction checklist tracks a new starter from the checks before their first shift to the day they are signed off to work alone. Regulation 18 says staff must get the support, training, supervision and appraisal they need for their duties, and CQC expects your training plan to describe your induction process. This record proves it happened.

It works for care homes, home care and supported living, with topic rows for each service type.

The stages of induction

1. Checks before the first shift: application form, right to work, DBS, references, professional registration if needed, and a contract.

2. First day and first week: fire procedures, safeguarding, whistleblowing and spotting a closed culture, plus infection control, consent, complaints and record keeping.

3. Service type topics, such as medicines in care homes, lone working and key safes in home care, or positive behaviour support and restrictive practice in supported living.

4. Care Certificate standards, one row each.

5. Oliver McGowan training.

6. Role and specialist training, from moving and handling to dementia and mental health where relevant.

7. Shadowing, then observed practice in areas like personal care, eating and drinking, and hand hygiene.

8. Reviews at the end of week 1 and month 1, and a final sign-off by the staff member, the induction lead and the Registered Manager.

A new starter works alone only once the lead has signed off each area of practice that applies to their role.

Learning disability and autism training

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government's preferred package, and it has two tiers. Tier 1 gives staff a general awareness of learning disability and autism. Tier 2 is for staff who may support autistic people or people with a learning disability. The code says care home staff, and home care staff who meet the public, are likely to need it. Staff who do not meet the public, such as laundry staff, may only need tier 1. The form records the tier, your reason and a refresher date no more than 3 years on.

Before you use the induction checklist

Add the topics, training providers and timescales from your own staff training plan. Delete the service type rows that do not apply to you, and list the current Care Certificate standards in Part D.

The pre-start checks link back to the Staff Application Form and the DBS Check Record & Certificate. The first-week safeguarding session should walk through your Safeguarding Policy & Procedure.