Complete Care Training
Unit 14: The Principles of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
Infection Prevention & ControlLevel 2

Unit 14: The Principles of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

This unit provides learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to prevent and control the spread of infection in adult social care settings. It explores the causes of infection, routes of transmission, and the chain of infection, alongside standard infection prevention and control precautions. Learners will understand their role in maintaining hygiene, using personal protective equipment (PPE), and following safe procedures for cleaning, decontamination, and waste disposal. The unit also covers how personal health and hygiene can impact infection risks and how to manage exposure safely. By the end of the unit, learners will be able to apply effective infection control practices to protect themselves, individuals, and others.

2 hours 45 minutes
Created by Sophie Barber Updated 11/2026 English
Part of Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate · Course 14 of 15

Available only in Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

This course isn't sold on its own. You get it, with every other course in the pathway, when you enrol on the pathway.

£1400.00, was £1500.0015 courses
See the pathway

What you'll learn

List the causes of infection, the main ways infection can get into the body and the chain of infection.
Outline the standard Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) precautions which must be followed to protect you and others in your workplace and where to find the most up to date information.
Explain your role in preventing infection in the area you work.
Describe how your own health, hygiene, vaccinations status and exposure to infection at work might pose a risk to the individuals you support and others you meet.

Course content

13 modules

The causes of infection, the ways micro-organisms enter the body and how breaking the chain of infection stops spread.
The standard infection prevention and control precautions everyone must follow to protect themselves and others.
Your own role in preventing infection in the area where you work, from hygiene to reporting outbreaks.
How your own health, hygiene, vaccination status and exposure at work can pose an infection risk to others.
The right methods for cleaning and decontaminating the care environment and equipment, and which products to use.
Step-by-step process for safely handling spills of blood and other bodily fluids.
How to handle and dispose of soiled linen, contaminated equipment and clinical waste safely.
Written assessment on how infection spreads, standard precautions, cleaning and waste management in adult social care.
Common types of personal protective equipment and clothing used in care, such as gloves, aprons, masks and eye protection.
How and when to use each type of PPE, matched to the care activity and the level of infection risk.
How to put on and take off PPE safely in the correct order, and dispose of it without contaminating yourself.
Effective hand hygiene with soap and water or hand rub, the correct technique and the key moments to clean your hands.
Written assessment on selecting, using and removing PPE safely and performing effective hand hygiene.

Specialist

Sophie Barber

A qualified teacher, examiner and content creator, Sophie has over 10 years experience developing resources for examination boards to ensure that they are using effective learning tools. An ex-medic, Sophie has a huge passion for the healthcare profession and the importance of delivering quality care.

Training you can trust

How this course works. You will work through self-paced modules, check your understanding with knowledge checks, and finish with a short assessment. On passing, your CPD-certified certificate is available to download immediately, ready for your CQC evidence file or employer records.

This certificate does not expire.

Accredited by CPD

All of our courses are accredited by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to universally accepted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Frequently asked questions

There is no deadline: a one-off purchase gives you lifetime access to the course, including updates, so you can complete it at your own pace across shifts.
Yes. Every course is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, and the certificate states the course, the level and the date you passed.
Yes. It works on phone, tablet and computer, and your progress syncs between them.
Your certificate is generated the moment you pass the final assessment, ready to download or print.