Is the Care Certificate a legal/regulatory requirement? 

Although the Care Certificate is not directly referenced in any legislation, the Care Quality Commission do reference it in their regulation guidance.

Section 18(2)(a) of the guidance for Regulation 18 states that “It is expected that providers that employ healthcare assistants and social care support workers should follow the Care Certificate standards to make sure new staff are supported, skilled and assessed as competent to carry out their roles.”

And Section 19(1)(b) of Regulation 19 states: ”It is expected that providers that employ healthcare assistants and social care support workers should follow the Care Certificate standards to assess their competence.”

Taken from DSDWEB’s Care Certificate Answers page.

Sources:

1. Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 18 (Care Quality Commission)
2. Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 19 (Care Quality Commission)
3. CQCs Position on the Care Certificate