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Care Certificate Standard 9: Awareness of mental health and dementia

This standard introduces mental health and dementia awareness so staff can recognise needs, respond appropriately and support people in a respectful and informed way.

What This Standard Covers

Understanding key terms, common conditions and how they may affect daily life.

Recognising how stigma, distress or changes in cognition can affect support needs.

Promoting wellbeing, inclusion and compassionate responses.

Why It Matters

Standard 9 builds confidence in supporting people whose needs may be influenced by dementia or mental health conditions. It helps staff respond with greater understanding rather than assumption or stigma.

Official Source

This page is a plain-English summary based on the March 2025 Skills for Care Care Certificate standards. For the full learning outcomes and assessment criteria, use the official PDF.

Read the official 2025 standard PDF

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Explore All Care Certificate Standards

Standard 1: Understand your role Standard 2: Your personal development Standard 3: Duty of care Standard 4: Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights Standard 5: Work in a person-centred way Standard 6: Communication Standard 7: Privacy and dignity Standard 8: Fluids and nutrition Standard 9: Awareness of mental health and dementia Standard 10: Adult safeguarding Standard 11: Safeguarding children Standard 12: Basic life support Standard 13: Health and safety Standard 14: Handling information Standard 15: Infection prevention and control Standard 16: Awareness of learning disability and autism