Frequently Asked Questions

At Ashfield Services our team is dedicated to helping each and every potential client to decide whether our industry-leading healthcare training courses suit their needs.

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If your question is not listed below, please contact us, where one of our team will answer your query as soon we can.

For Learners and Delegates

Do your courses meet CQC guidelines?

Ashfield Services courses meet all CQC guidelines and are developed and kept up to date in line with NICE Guidelines, are mapped into the QCF Framework and meet all industry best practice standards to ensure you receive the highest quality of training in each subject we offer.

How many CPD hours and Participatory hours will the delegate receive?

Each course is dependant on the length of the session. As a “rule of thumb” our Half Day courses are equivalent to 3 CPD Hours and 2 Participatory Hours and our Full Day courses are equivalent to 6 CPD Hours and 5 Participatory Hours.

What are Knowledge Assessments?

All courses have a knowledge assessment. There are two reasons for this. The knowledge assessment is required as part of the competency requirements. Secondly, the aim is to assess the amount of earning that has taken place during the course and the guide you to further training if necessary.

How are competencies assessed?

Competencies have two components: the Knowledge Units and the Performance Criteria. Your knowledge units are evidenced by your certificate of attendance and your knowledge assessment. Your performance criteria is evidenced in two ways, according to the course you are undertaking. Firstly, there will be a simulated competence which you will undertake during the course and, secondly, you will return to your workplace to have supervised practice on live people a number of time before you can practice unsupervised. Some courses require self-assessment but you will still have simulated practice during the course. Some course do not require competences. These are usually ‘Awareness’ courses.

Are your courses accredited?

Ashfield Services courses are not accredited, but are developed by our Clinical Department in line with NICE Guidelines, are mapped into the QCF Framework and meet all industry best practice standards to ensure you receive the highest quality of training in each subject we offer.

Will I be allowed to join the course if I'm late?

We understand that there can be traffic and other issues when you are attending courses. In the main, we allow a period of 15 minutes for lateness. After the 15 minute time is up it will depend on the individual tutor. They will take into consideration how much of the content of the course you have missed and whether this will have an impact on the desired learning. After 15 minutes you may be asked NOT to join the course.

How many handouts/course information documents do I need to print out?

This is completely down to you to decide. Ashfield Services work electronically to keep our costs to a minimum, therefore being able to pass these savings to you when booking onto our courses. As a minimum, the course Handouts and Competency Documents are required for each individual, however some of our sessions do include large workbooks for reference which may be passed onto delegates electronically also.

Can I cancel/change my course date?

Ashfield Services offer as a standard to all bookings a 14 day cooling off period where you can choose to cancel or amend your order, without any charges. For requests to cancel or change your course or date, please see our full T&Cs available here for options that are available to you.

How do you choose who teaches your courses?

Our Clinical Department review each applicant that applies to become a Tutor with Ashfield Services, looking at their past experience, teaching abilities and qualifications. Alongside this, our Clinical Department conduct random Peer Reviews on our Tutors to ensure the high standards of Ashfield Services are met within each one of our courses and that all Learning Objectives are achieved. Where required, Ashfield Services will source industry subject matter experts to conduct the learning for specific subjects, ie. all Tissue Viability subjects offered by Ashfield Services are delivered by a Tissue Viability Nurse.

What type of room do you require for training onsite?

Ashfield Services require a room suitable to comfortably seat the number of delegates attending the course with sufficient room at the front of the class for our Tutor to conduct the learning and where a practical element is included, sufficient space should be provided for this to take place. All training rooms should meet Health & Safety regulations. Further information on this can be found in our T&Cs here.

For Learners

Q1) Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Upon successful completion you’ll receive a digital certificate of attendance, meeting regulatory and professional-body requirements.

Q2) How long is my certificate valid for?

Most of our certificates are valid for 12 months or 36 months unless otherwise stated. You’ll be contacted by us via email when your certificate is due for renewal.

Q3) What if I cannot attend on the day?

Please contact us and your employer (where applicable) as soon as possible, and we will work with you in sourcing the next available date.

Q4) Are the Educators qualified?

All of our Educators are subject-matter experts from health and social care backgrounds. Each holds recognised teaching qualifications and up-to-date sector experience. You can find out more about our clinical team on our Meet the Team page.

Q5) Do I need to bring anything with me on the day?

All materials are supplied to you via email, including an electronic copy of your delegate booklet which we encourage you to print and bring along on the day.

Q6) Are the courses interactive?

Yes. Our training is practical and engaging, with case studies, discussion, and simulated competency exercises.

Q7) How soon will I receive my certificate after training?

Certificates are normally issued the next working day following course completion.

Q8) Will I be allowed to join the course if I'm late?

We understand that there can be traffic and other issues when you are attending courses. In the main, we allow a period of 15 minutes for lateness. After the 15 minute time is up it will depend on the individual tutor. They will take into consideration how much of the content of the course you have missed and whether this will have an impact on the desired learning. After 15 minutes you may be asked NOT to join the course.

For Employers and Those Booking Training

Q1) Can training be delivered in-house?

Yes, and it’s one of our biggest strengths. Our experienced Educators can come directly to your premises to deliver training on-site, allowing your staff to learn together in a familiar environment. This approach reduces travel time, minimises rota disruption, and enables us to tailor the content to your service.

For teams spread across multiple sites, we also offer live virtual training, ideal for remote access anywhere in the UK, and public venue sessions for those who prefer to attend off-site. Whatever your setup, we make it easy for your staff to access high-quality, evidence-based training in the way that suits them best.

Q2) How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking on-site training at least four weeks in advance to secure your preferred date. Our live booking system allows us to confirm availability instantly, so you’ll know right away which dates are open. If you have an urgent request, we can often accommodate it thanks to our flexible scheduling and nationwide Educator network.

Q3) What are the minimum and maximum delegate numbers?

Whilst there is no minimum delegate number, most on-site courses run with 4–12 delegates. For larger teams, multiple sessions can be arranged on consecutive days.

Q4) Do you customise training to our organisation?

Absolutely. We see ourselves as an extension of your training team, working with you to ensure every course reflects your organisation’s policies, procedures, and culture. Our Educators adapt examples and scenarios to your care setting, whether that’s residential, dementia, or complex care. This collaborative approach means your staff receive relevant, practical learning that fits seamlessly into your daily practice. Just send us over your procedures and policies to incorporate.

Q5) How do I ensure your Educators are suitable for our staff?

We match Educators based on professional background and clinical expertise to ensure the best fit for your team. Prefer a specific Educator? Just ask, and we’ll accommodate where possible.

Q6) What sectors do you cover?

We specialise in Health and Social Care, but our training portfolio also supports a wide range of regulated and non-regulated sectors including education, housing, community care, and corporate services.

Our core programmes include essential compliance and workplace safety courses such as Fire Safety, Basic Life Support (BLS), Automated External Defibrillation (AED), and First Aid at Work. We also deliver advanced and clinical subjects tailored to specific service types, from residential and dementia care to supported living and nursing environments.

Whether you’re a care home, domiciliary service, or multi-site organisation, our flexible training options can be adapted to your workforce and setting.

Q7) What reports will we receive after training?

Attendance records are issued with certificates. Assessment outcomes (where applicable), and delegate feedback summaries can be provided upon request.

Q8) Can you support large-scale rollouts across multiple sites?

Yes, and we often do. Our coordination team manages regional scheduling, Educator allocation, and centralised reporting for multi-site organisations. Speak to our team for more information.

Q9) What are your payment terms?

Invoices are issued on the day of your course and are payable within 30 days.

Q10) What happens if we need to cancel or postpone training?

We offer a 14-day cooling-off period from the date of booking, during which you may cancel or change your on-site course without charge. Please submit your request in writing to cancel@ashfieldservices.co.uk

If the booking is confirmed and a course date is agreed within 14 days of booking, the cooling-off period no longer applies.

Beyond the 14-day cooling-off period, cancellation fees are applied in line with our full Terms & Conditions, which can be found on our website.

For postponements, please contact us as soon as possible. We will do our best to accommodate changes. Full policy details are in our Terms & Conditions.

Q11) What facilities do we need to provide for on-site courses?

A quiet room with adequate space, seating, power supply and access to hand-washing facilities, that apply to health and safety regulations. Some clinical courses require additional equipment, but full details will be sent upon booking.

Q12) What happens if a delegate does not meet competency requirements?

We provide feedback and can arrange follow-up assessment or refresher sessions as needed.

Q13) Do you offer discounts for multiple bookings or group packages?

We can offer flexible pricing for multi-course or group bookings to help you maximise value and streamline your staff training. Get in touch for a tailored quote.

Q14) What are Knowledge Assessments?

All courses have a knowledge assessment. There are two reasons for this. The knowledge assessment is required as part of the competency requirements. Secondly, the aim is to assess the amount of earning that has taken place during the course and the guide you to further training if necessary.

Q15) How are competencies assessed?

Competencies have two components: the Knowledge Units and the Performance Criteria. Your knowledge units are evidenced by your certificate of attendance and your knowledge assessment. Your performance criteria is evidenced in two ways, according to the course you are undertaking. Firstly, there will be a simulated competence which you will undertake during the course and, secondly, you will return to your workplace to have supervised practice on live people a number of time before you can practice unsupervised. Some courses require self-assessment but you will still have simulated practice during the course. Some course do not require competences. These are usually ‘Awareness’ courses.

Q16) How many CPD hours and Participatory hours will the learner receive?

Each course is dependant on the length of the session. As a “rule of thumb” our Half Day courses are equivalent to 3 CPD Hours and 2 Participatory Hours and our Full Day courses are equivalent to 6 CPD Hours and 5 Participatory Hours.

Due Diligence and Quality Assurance

Q1) Are you accredited or approved by regulators?

We are not formally accredited by a single awarding body. However, all of our courses are rigorously reviewed to ensure they meet or exceed current sector standards and regulatory expectations. Each course undergoes a structured review every six months, including peer and design review by experienced industry professionals with in-depth health and social care expertise.

This continuous evaluation process ensures that our training remains accurate, relevant, and fully aligned with CQC requirements, Skills for Care frameworks, and other recognised best-practice standards.

Q2) Do you carry insurance?

Yes. We hold full public-liability and professional-indemnity insurance; evidence is available upon request

Q3) What is your track record?

Ashfield Services has been a trusted training partner in the health and social care sector for over a decade. With a portfolio of more than 180 courses, our Educators bring over 150 years of combined experience as clinicians, educators, and sector specialists.

Our team includes award-winning professionals, published researchers, and national advisors who ensure every course reflects real-world practice and current regulatory standards. Client feedback consistently highlights the quality, relevance, and reliability of our training; many describe us as an extension of their own training team.

Q4) How do you ensure quality?

Courses are continuously reviewed against regulatory updates, delegate feedback and Educator audits to maintain high standards.

Q5) Do you have safeguarding policies in place?

Yes. We operate comprehensive safeguarding and safer-recruitment policies, and all Educators hold enhanced DBS checks.

Q6) Can you provide references or case studies?

Yes. Client references and case studies can be supplied to support your procurement due-diligence process.

Q7) How do you handle data protection and confidentiality?

We comply fully with UK GDPR requirements and maintain secure data handling across all booking and assessment systems. Further information can be found within our Privacy Policy, which you can access via our website.