CPD End of Life Awareness Course

This CPD-certified End of Life Awareness course is designed to give healthcare workers and elderly care workers the knowledge and confidence to provide safe, dignified, and compassionate support during the final stages of life. Over three hours, the training explores the principles of both end of life care and palliative care, alongside the guidance that underpins best practice.

Learners will gain an understanding of common symptoms at the end of life, including how to support nutrition, hydration, and mouth care. The course also examines the role of emotional, spiritual, and religious support, recognising the importance of meeting individual needs and respecting personal values at this stage.

Practical skills form a key part of the training, with a focus on effective communication and the documentation required in end of life care strategy, including the RESPECT and DNACPR forms. Learners will also develop insight into advance care planning, approaches to pain relief, and aspects of grief training that help staff support both individuals and families.

By the end of the course, staff will have the knowledge to apply best practice consistently, ensuring compassionate and person-centred care.

Course Structure:

• Define and discuss end-of-life and palliative care and the guidance that underpins practice.
• Explain symptoms at end-of-life and the importance of nutrition, hydration and mouth care Examine the role of emotional, spiritual and religious support in end-of-life.
• Identify communication skills and barriers to communication and documentation, in particular, the RESPECT and DNACPR forms that are required.

Because end of life care is such a vital part of supporting individuals and families, this course is open to staff at all levels. There are no prerequisites or formal qualifications required, giving employers flexibility to enrol both new starters and experienced professionals.

The training is particularly relevant for healthcare workers and elderly care workers who may provide direct support in palliative care, advance care planning, or when managing essential documentation such as RESPECT and DNACPR forms. It is also valuable for staff involved in communication with families, ensuring compassionate and consistent practice.

Delivered online, the course is convenient and self-paced, allowing learners to complete it without interrupting daily responsibilities. This approach helps organisations embed consistent standards of end of life care across their workforce. The only expectation is that staff approach the training with sensitivity and a willingness to apply its principles in ways that protect dignity, respect, and compassion for those at the end of life.

Completing the End of Life Awareness course gives staff a certificate accredited by the CPD Certification Service. More than a record of training, it’s a reassurance that employees are equipped to provide compassionate, dignified, and safe support when it matters most.

For organisations, CPD certification is a mark of quality. It shows that staff have received training aligned with best practice in palliative care, advance care planning, and the use of essential documentation such as RESPECT and DNACPR forms. This helps employers evidence the importance they place on preparing staff for the challenges of end of life care.

For staff, the certificate strengthens professional development while also reflecting the confidence gained in supporting individuals and families through a uniquely sensitive stage of life. Beyond certification, the training offers practical guidance in areas such as pain relief, communication, and emotional support — ensuring care is not only clinically sound but also compassionate and person-centred.

Enrolling onto the End of Life Awareness course is straightforward. Employers can purchase online quickly, giving staff immediate access to training that prepares them for one of the most sensitive responsibilities in care.

Because the course is delivered entirely online, staff can complete it at their own pace, taking the time they need to reflect on the material. This flexibility makes it easier to balance training with daily duties, while still ensuring that learning has the space it deserves. The content is designed to be both practical and reflective, encouraging staff to think about how they can apply what they’ve learned in their own workplace.

Once finished, learners receive a certificate accredited by the CPD Certification Service. More importantly, they gain knowledge and confidence to provide safe, respectful, and compassionate end of life care that supports both individuals and their families, even in the most difficult of circumstances.