Leeds Beckett University research exposes major gaps in dementia training across social care

New research from Leeds Beckett University has revealed widespread gaps in dementia training across the social care workforce, with many staff not receiving the level or quality of training needed to provide effective care.

Around one million people are living with dementia in the UK, this is set to rise to 1.4 million by 2040, making them one of the biggest groups drawing on social care.

The report, led by experts at the Centre for Dementia Research at Leeds Beckett University and delivered in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society and IFF Research, builds on the established programme of work in dementia education. This includes the landmark ‘What Works’ study – a major study examining the effective features of dementia training, including the eight hours threshold as a critical minimum for effective dementia training, enabling staff to build the depth of understanding needed to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

Drawing on evidence gathered across three nations (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), the current research provides one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of dementia training provision and its impact on social care workforce readiness.

The findings highlight a clear and urgent issue: dementia training is often too short and insufficient to equip staff with the knowledge and skills they need, with half of all reported training packages offered just one to two hours of dementia-specific content.

Over a third of staff do not have the expected basic knowledge of dementia, with only 52% feeling very competent in the care they are providing. 

The current report calls for a shift towards more comprehensive, evidence-based training approaches that reflect the realities and complexities of dementia care.

Professor Sarah Smith, lead researcher from Leeds Beckett University, added, “This study strengthens what we already know from our previous research: that awareness training on its own is not enough.

“We need to see training that is longer, more in-depth, and reflects real-world care practice. This is about building a workforce that truly understands dementia and can respond to people’s individual needs.”

Further figures

In England, a review of 119 training packages across 53 social care providers, combined with a survey of 184 care staff, reveals:

• 50% of dementia training packages contain only one to two hours of dementia-specific content.

• Less than half (39%) of training is delivered at the level recommended for staff who regularly support people with dementia.

• Only 47% of staff received dementia training as part of their induction, meaning over half of staff are starting to care for people with dementia with no training at all.

• 81% of care workers agreed they would like more dementia-specific training.

With around one million people currently living with dementia in the UK – a figure expected to rise significantly in the coming decades – the report emphasises the growing importance of a well-trained social care workforce.

Report