The Heart of Great Care: Training at Home Instead
At Home Instead, we believe that exceptional care begins with exceptional training. That’s why every one of our Care Professionals goes through a comprehensive, hands-on training programme that doesn’t just teach the basics—it helps them feel what it’s like to age.
From the moment someone joins our team, they’re supported through a thoughtfully designed training journey that includes two full days of in-person learning at our local office, followed by guided online modules and immersive role-play experiences. The goal? To prepare our Care Professionals not just to do the job, but to truly understand the people they support.
Two Days of In-Office Training
Our in-person sessions are more than just a classroom experience. These days are about connection, understanding, and confidence-building. New team members are welcomed into a supportive environment where they learn:
The core values and mission of Home Instead
Essential care skills such as safe moving and handling, personal care, and communication techniques
Our approach to relationship-led care that prioritises dignity, respect, and time
It’s a chance to ask questions, build relationships with the office team, and start feeling like part of the Home Instead family.
Online Training That Fits Around You
After the in-office days, Care Professionals continue with flexible online training that reinforces key topics and goes deeper into areas like:
Dementia awareness
Nutrition and hydration
Medication management
Infection prevention and control
The online modules are interactive and accessible anytime, allowing people to learn at their own pace—ideal for those who are juggling other responsibilities.
Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes: Role Play and Empathy Exercises
One of the most powerful parts of our training is role play and sensory exercises designed to help Care Professionals better understand what it’s like to age.
We use specialist kits and scenarios that simulate common changes associated with ageing, including:
Impaired vision – Glasses that blur or narrow the field of sight
Hearing loss – Ear plugs or devices that muffle sound
Reduced dexterity – Gloves that limit finger movement as well as sense of touch
Many trainees come away with a completely new perspective, saying they now better understand why even the smallest tasks—like buttoning a shirt or making a cup of tea—can become frustrating or tiring for older people.
This training helps our Care Professionals develop real empathy. It goes beyond technical know-how—it’s about learning patience, compassion, and the importance of preserving dignity at every step.
Why It Matters
When you choose Home Instead, you’re choosing a team that doesn’t just “tick the boxes” for training. We invest in our people so they can give the kind of care they’d want for their own loved ones.
Because for us, care isn’t just a job. It’s a relationship. And it all begins with understanding.
If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Care Professional or the support we offer, get in touch with your local Home Instead office—we’d love to hear from you.