Certificate in Working in End-Of-Life Care Level 3

Module 1

Understand Advance Care Planning

Understand the principles of advance care planning

1. Describe the difference between a care or support plan and an Advance Care Plan
2. Explain the purpose of advance care planning
3. Identify the national, local and organisational agreed ways of working for advance care planning
4. Explain the legal position of an Advance Care Plan
5. Explain what is involved in an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment
6. Explain what is meant by a Do Not Attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) order

Understand the process of advance care planning

1. Explain when advance care planning may be introduced
2. Outline who might be involved in the advance care planning process
3. Describe the type of information an individual may need to enable them to make informed decisions
4. Explain how to use legislation to support decision-making about the capacity of an individual to take part in advance care planning
5. Explain how the individual’s capacity to discuss advance care planning may influence their role in the process
6. Explain the meaning of informed consent
7. Explain own role in the advance care planning process
8. Identify how an Advance Care Plan can change over time
9. Outline the principles of record keeping in advance care planning
10. Describe circumstances when you can share details of the Advance Care Plan

Understand the person-centred approach to advance care planning

1. Describe the factors that an individual might consider when planning their Advance Care Plan
2. Explain the importance of respecting the values and beliefs that impact on the choices of the individual
3. Identify how the needs of others may need to be taken into account when planning advance care
4. Outline what actions may be appropriate when an individual is unable to or does not wish to participate in advance care planning
5. Explain how individuals care or support plan may be affected by an Advance Care Plan

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Module 2

Supporting individuals with loss and grief before death

Understand the impact of loss and grief on individuals approaching end of life and others

1. Describe what is meant by loss and grief before reaching end of life
2. Explain how the experience of loss and grief is unique to individuals and others
3. Describe stages of loss and grief commonly experienced by individuals with a life-limiting illness
4. Describe the effects of loss and grief on individuals and others

Be able to support individuals and others through their experience of loss and grief

1. Support individuals and others to identify the losses they may experience
2. According to their preferences and wishes support individuals and others to communicate the losses they may experience
3. Support the individual and others through each stage of grief they experience
4. Support individuals and others experiencing loss and grief to access support services

Be able to manage own feelings in relation to loss and grief

1. Describe how own feelings about loss and grief can impact on the support provided
2. Use support systems to manage own feelings brought on by loss & grief

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Module 3

Support Individuals with Specific Communication Needs

Understand specific communication needs and factors affecting them

1. Explain the importance of meeting an individual’s communication needs
2. Explain how own role and practice can impact on communication with an individual who has specific communication needs
3. Analyse features of the environment that may help or hinder communication
4. Analyse reasons why an individual may use a form of communication that is not based on a formal language system
5. Identify a range of communication methods and aids to support individuals to communicate
6. Describe the potential effects on an individual of having unmet communication needs

Be able to contribute to establishing the nature of specific communication needs of individuals and ways to address them

1. Work in partnership with the individual and others to identify the individual’s specific communication needs
2. Contribute to identifying the communication methods or aids that will best suit the individual
3. Explain how and when to access information and support about identifying and addressing specific communication needs

Be able to interact with individuals using their preferred communication

1. Prepare the environment to facilitate communication
2. Use agreed methods of communication to interact with the individual
3. Monitor the individuals’ responses during and after the interaction to check the effectiveness of communication
4. Adapt own practice to improve communication with the individual

Be able to promote communication between individuals and others

1. Support the individual to develop communication methods that will help them to understand others and be understood by them
2. Provide opportunities for the individual to communicate with others
3. Support others to understand and interpret the individual’s communication
4. Support others to be understood by the individual by use of agreed communication methods

Know how to support the use of communication technology and aids

1. Identify specialist services relating to communication technology and aids
2. Describe types of support that an individual may need in order to use communication technology and aids
3. Explain the importance of ensuring that communication equipment is correctly set up and working properly

Be able to review an individual’s communication needs and the support provided to address them

1. Collate information about an individual’s communication and the support provided
2. Contribute to evaluating the effectiveness of agreed methods of communication and support provided
3. Work with others to identify ways to support the continued development of communication

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Module 4

Managing symptoms in end-of-life care

Understand the effects of symptoms in relation to end of life care

1. Identify a range of conditions where you might provide end of life care
2. Identify common symptoms associated with end-of-life care
3. Explain how symptoms can cause an individual distress and discomfort
4. Evaluate the significance of the individual’s own perception of their symptoms

Be able to manage symptoms of end-of-life care

1. Demonstrate a range of techniques to provide symptom relief
2. Describe own role in supporting therapeutic options used in symptom relief
3. Respond to an individual’s culture and beliefs in managing their symptoms
4. Actively support the comfort and wellbeing in end-of-life care
5. Recognise symptoms that identify the last few days of life may be approaching

Understand how to manage symptoms of pain

1. Identify signs that may indicate that an individual is experiencing pain
2. Describe factors that can influence an individual’s perception of pain
3. Describe a range of assessment tools for monitoring pain in individuals, including those with cognitive impairment
4. Explain how to maintain regular pain relief

Be able to integrate symptom management in the care management process

1. Explain how symptom management is an important part of the care planning process
2. Regularly monitor symptoms associated with end-of-life care
3. Report changes in symptoms according to policies and procedures in own work setting
4. Support the implementation of changes in the care plan

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Module 5

Understand how to provide support when working in end-of-life care

Understand current approaches to end-of-life care

1. Analyse the impact of national and local drivers on current approaches to end-of-life care
2. Evaluate how a range of tools for end-of-life care can support the individual and others
3. Analyse the stages of the local end of life care pathway

Understand an individual’s response to their anticipated death

1. Evaluate models of loss and grief
2. Describe how to support the individual throughout each stage of grief
3. Explain the need to explore with each individual their own specific areas of concern as they face death
4. Describe how an individual’s awareness of spirituality may change as they approach end of life

Understand factors regarding communication for those involved in end-of-life care

1. Explain the principles of effective listening and information giving, including the importance of picking up on cues and non-verbal communication
2. Explain how personal experiences of death and dying may affect capacity to listen and respond appropriately
3. Give examples of internal and external coping strategies for individuals and others when facing death and dying
4. Explain the importance of ensuring effective channels of communication are in place with others

Understand how to support those involved in end-of-life care situations

1. Describe possible emotional effects on staff working in end-of-life care situations
2. Evaluate possible sources of support for staff in end-of-life situations
3. Identify areas in group care situations where others may need support in end-of-life care situations
4. Outline sources of emotional support for others in end-of-life care situations

Understand how symptoms might be identified in end-of-life care

1. Identify a range of symptoms that may be related to an individual’s condition, pre-existing conditions and treatment itself
2. Describe how symptoms can cause an individual and others distress and discomfort
3. Describe signs of approaching death
4. Identify different techniques for relieving symptoms

Understand advance care planning

1. Explain the difference between a care or support plan and an advance care plan
2. Identify where to find additional information about advance care planning
3. Describe own role in advance care planning
4. Explain why, with their consent, it is important to pass on information about the individual’s wishes, needs, and preferences for their end-of-life care

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Module 6

Provide support to manage pain and discomfort

Understand approaches to managing pain and discomfort

1. Explain the importance of a holistic approach to managing pain and discomfort
2. Describe different approaches to alleviate pain and minimise discomfort
3. Outline agreed ways of working that relate to managing pain and discomfort

Be able to assist in minimising individuals’ pain or discomfort

1. Describe how pain and discomfort may affect an individual’s wellbeing and communication
2. Encourage an individual to express feelings of discomfort or pain
3. Encourage an individual to use self-help methods of pain control
4. Assist an individual to be positioned safely and comfortably
5. Carry out agreed measures to alleviate pain and discomfort

Be able to monitor, record and report on the management of individuals pain or discomfort

1. Carry out required monitoring activities relating to management of an individual’s pain or discomfort
2. Complete records in required ways
3. Report findings and concerns as required

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Module 7

Support individuals at the end of life

Understand the requirements of legislation and agreed ways of working to protect the rights of individuals at the end of life

1. Outline legal requirements and agreed ways of working designed to protect the rights of individuals in end-of-life care
2. Explain how legislation designed to protect the rights of individuals in end-of-life care applies to own job role

Understand factors affecting end of life care

1. Outline key points of theories about the emotional and psychological processes that individuals and key people may experience with the approach of death
2. Explain how the beliefs, religion and culture of individuals and key people influence end of life care
3. Explain why key people may have a distinctive role in an individuals end of life care
4. Explain why support for an individual’s health and well-being may not always relate to their terminal condition

Understand advance care planning in relation to end of life care

1. Describe the benefits to an individual of having as much control as possible over their end-of-life care
2. Explain the purpose of advance care planning in relation to end of life care
3. Describe own role in supporting and recording decisions about advance care planning
4. Outline ethical and legal issues that may arise in relation to advance care planning

Be able to provide support to individuals and key people during end-of-life care

1. Support the individual and key people to explore their thoughts and feelings about death and dying
2. Provide support for the individual and key people that respects their beliefs, religion and culture
3. Demonstrate ways to help the individual feel respected and valued throughout the end-of-life period
4. Provide information to the individual and/or key people about the individuals illness and the support available
5. Give examples of how an individual’s well-being can be enhanced by:
   • environmental factors
   • non-medical interventions
   • use of equipment and aids
   • alternative therapies
6. Contribute to partnership working with key people to support the individual’s well-being

Understand how to address sensitive issues in relation to end of life care

1. Explain the importance of recording significant conversations during end-of-life care
2. Explain factors that influence who should give significant news to an individual or key people
3. Describe conflicts and legal or ethical issues that may arise in relation to death, dying or end of life care
4. Analyse ways to address such conflicts

Understand the role of organisations and support services available to individuals and key people in relation to end of life care

1. Describe the role of support organisations and specialist services that may contribute to end-of-life care
2. Analyse the role and value of an advocate in relation to end of life care
3. Explain how to establish when an advocate may be beneficial
4. Explain why support for spiritual needs may be especially important at the end of life
5. Describe a range of sources of support to address spiritual needs

Be able to access support for the individual or key people from the wider team

1. Identify when support would best be offered by other members of the team
2. Liaise with other members of the team to provide identified support for the individual or key people

Be able to support individuals through the process of dying

1. Carry out own role in an individual’s care
2. Contribute to addressing any distress experienced by the individual promptly and in agreed ways
3. Adapt support to reflect the individuals’ changing needs or responses
4. Assess when an individual and key people need to be alone

Be able to take action following the death of individuals

1. Explain why it is important to know about an individual’s wishes for their after-death care
2. Carry out actions immediately following a death that respect the individuals wishes and follow agreed ways of working
3. Describe ways to support key people immediately following an individual’s death

Be able to manage own feelings in relation to the dying or death of individuals

1. Identify ways to manage own feelings in relation to an individual’s dying or death
2. Utilise support systems to deal with own feelings in relation to an individual’s dying or death

Please use our enquiry form or contact us by telephone if you have any queries about this qualification or would like to express an interest to enrol onto this course. A member of our team will be happy to answer any questions, help to make sure this course is right for you and/or your staff team, and talk you through what is involved in enrolment and course completion.

Upon enrolment, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will assist you through achieving successful and meaningful completion of your award. All of the electronic resources, workbooks and assignments required for you to complete the course will be emailed to you for you to commence working with at a time of your convenience. Your tutor will work with you to set targets and milestones that are achievable for you and will check in with you regularly, providing assistance whenever necessary.

On successful completion of your award, your assessor will coordinate with the awarding body for the issuance of your certificates, which will be promptly delivered to you.

Including Assignment, Workbook and Resources:

The full cost of this qualification is £250 per person which is duly invoiced at the point of enrolment.

• Cost claim-back availability* (upon certification) from the Workforce Development Fund is £420** per person

* You will need to be registered with the Workforce Development Fund if you wish to claim back costs.
** The claim-back £GBP value quoted above was correct as of 28th March 2022.

Upon completion and certification of this qualification, the certificate(s) for your staff members will be sent to you along with all of the supporting data and information required for you to submit your WDF costs claim. This makes the claims process very simple and straightforward. This service is provided as part of the original service charge. No extra fees will apply.