Infection prevention and control

We have developed a set of digital learning modules to help anyone involved in the social care or early years and childcare sector know how to behave to reduce the spread of infections.

There are 3 modules available:

Level 00: Introductory awareness

What is this learning module?

It provides an introduction to infection, prevention and control which can be used to inform day to day behaviour to reduce the spread of infection and infectious diseases.

Who should it be used with?

Some examples of the people who may find the module helpful are:

• Families, friends or volunteers likely to visit individuals or children and young people in health, social care or early years and childcare settings
• Informal carers (people providing care and support for friends or relatives in their own homes)
• People interested in a career in health, social care or early years and childcare.

Level 01: Basic knowledge and application

What is this learning module?

It provides support for the development of knowledge about infection prevention and control, which can be used within a paid or unpaid role to inform own and other’s safe behaviour to reduce the spread of infection and infectious diseases. It is aimed at people who do not provide direct care and support.

Who should it be used with?

Some examples of the people who may find the module helpful are:

• Workers and volunteers in social care and childcare who are not responsible for providing direct care and support, for example, administrators and workers such as cleaners, cooks and so on
• Informal carers
• Professionals likely to visit individuals / children and young people in service settings, such as social workers, DOLs assessors, advocates
• Students who require placement opportunities for qualification as pre-placement learning
• Assessors of qualifications
• Work experience roles – non-direct care.

Level 02: Sound knowledge, understanding and application

What is this learning module?

It provides support for the development of knowledge and understanding about infection prevention and control, which can be used within a work role to inform own and other’s safe behaviour to reduce the spread of infection. It is aimed at people who are providing direct care and support to individuals or children/young people.

Who should it be used with?

Some examples of the people who may find the module helpful are:

• Workers and volunteers in social care and childcare who are responsible for providing direct care and support
• Informal carers
• Professionals likely to visit individuals / children and young people in care and support settings where direct contact is required as part of their role, such as occupational therapists, hairdressers, podiatrists, design to smile teams and so on
• Professionals likely to visit services for monitoring and quality assurance, such as inspectors, contractors/commissioners
• Students who require placement opportunities for their qualification
• Assessors of qualifications.

Health Education Improvement Wales has made a short-animated video which aims to reinforce best practice and behaviours of workers and visitors in care settings across the sectors, to help reduce the spread of infection and infectious diseases.

A fully funded online learning module is also available on application to Bangor university. This is aimed at responsible individuals, social care and early years and childcare managers and team leaders along with a range of health professionals.