The following is a sample of the courses provided by Comfort Keepers Training:


Course 1: Practical Home Care skills

Aim: This course is designed to provide the learner with the skills, knowledge and attitudes essential for providing quality home care. This module also enables the learner to acquire the knowledge of how to create a safe environment for the person in their care.

The module comprises four units as follows:

  • Communication and Listening Skills
  • Safe Caring
  • Practical Care Skills
  • Care Support

At the end of this course, particpants will:

  • Demonstrate good communication skills relevant to their care role
  • Understand the personal care needs of the person in their care
  • Understand the importance of maintaining a safe, healthy and hygienic environment for the person being cared for
  • Have knowledge the practical care skills that maintain the best quality of life for the person in their care
  • Be able to identify the needs and supports that are available to Carers providing practical care skills

Target Audience: Carers providing care in the home

Entry Requirements: There are no prior entry requirements however the course will be delivered in English and students are expected to have a good command of the English language. The course also includes a practical element involving patient moving and handling. Participants will be expected to by physically fit to participate.

Duration: 5 days

Certification: FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate in Practical Home Care Skills, Certificate of Competence, Patient Moving and Handling
Cost: €450


Course 2: Care of the Older Person

Aim: To provide carers with the knowledge and skills to provide individual holistic care for older people in a variety of settings.

The module comprises four units as follows:

  • Ageing Process
  • Working with the Older Person
  • Caring for the Older Person with Specific Needs
  • Care Settings

At the end of this course, particpants will:

  • Understand the concept of the ageing process
  • Be aware of their perception of older people and understand their role in promoting a positive view of aging
  • Be able to meet the full range of needs of older people in a variety of care settings
  • Understand the role of the carer in enhancing the quality of life of the older person

Target Audience: Carers providing care to older people

Entry Requirements: National Vocational Certificate Level 4, Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualifications and/or relevant life and work experiences. The course will be delivered in English and students are expected to have a good command of the English language. The course also includes a practical element involving patient moving and handling. Participants will be expected to by physically fit to participate.

Duration: 5 days

Certification: FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate in Care of the Older Person
Cost: €450


Course 3: Intellectual Disability Studies

Aim: The module is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to provide care for people with intellectual disability and for their families in a variety of settings.

The module comprises four units as follows:

  • Context of Intellectual Disability
  • Models of Service Provision
  • Holistic Care
  • Caring for Those with Specific Needs

The module is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to provide care for people with intellectual disability and for their families in a variety of settings. Learners will be expected to interview a person with a disability, the carer of a person with a disability or a disability service as part of this programme. This module is an elective module on the major award in Healthcare Support.

Learners who successfully complete this module will:

  • understand the concept of intellectual disability and its contexts
  • be familiar with national and local models of services for people with intellectual disability and their families
  • demonstrate good work practices in the provision of holistic care for people with intellectual disability and their families
  • be able to meet the full range of needs of people with intellectual disability in a variety of settings and across the full lifespan

Target Audience: People providing care to people with intellectual disabilities those wishing to pursue a professional qualification in this area.

Entry Requirements: Level 4 Certificate, Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualifications and/or relevant life and work experiences. The course will be delivered in English and students are expected to have a good command of the English language.

Duration: 4 days

Certification: FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate in Intellectual Disability Studies
Cost: €375


Course 4: Patient Moving & Handling

Aim: To provide participants with the knowledge and skill to move patients safely

At the end of this course, particpants will:

  • Understand the law in relation to manual handling
  • Be able to identify manual handling risks
  • Be able to list the components of the musculo-skeletal system and explain their function
  • Be able to state the postures that cause a risk of injury when manual handling and demonstrate appropriate postures while conducting a range of tasks
  • Be able to conduct a risk assessment on a manual handling task
  • Be able demonstrate safe patient moving and handling techniques

Target Audience: People who have caring responsibilities that may be required to assist clients with transferring and positioning

Entry Requirements: The course will be delivered in English and students are expected to have a good command of the English language. This course includes a practical element involving patient moving and handling. Participants will be expected to by physically fit to participate.

Duration: 1 day

Certification: Certificate of Competence issued upon successful completion of the programme


Course 5: Manual Handling

Aim: To provide participants with the knowledge and skills to assess a load for potential hazards, and to lift and handle loads safely

At the end of this course, particpants will:

  • Understand the law in relation to manual handling
  • Be able to identify manual handling risks
  • Be able to list the components of the musculo-skeletal system and explain their function
  • Be able to state the postures that cause a risk of injury when manual handling and demonstrate appropriate postures while conducting a range of tasks
  • Be able to identify risks associated with manual handling by conducting a risk assessment on the task
  • Understand the importance of wearing PPE
  • Be able demonstrate safe load moving and handling techniques

Target Audience: People who require certification in competence of manual handling

Entry Requirements: The course will be delivered in English and students are expected to have a good command of the English language. This course includes a practical element involving patient moving and handling. Participants will be expected to by physically fit to participate.

Duration: ½ day

Certification: Certificate of Competence issued upon successful completion of the programme


Course 6: Introduction to Nursing

Aim: This module explores the nursing profession. It introduces the learner to the caring role of the nurse and emphasises the importance of interpersonal communication. The module is mandatory for the Level 5 Certificate in Community and Health Services-Nursing Studies award.

At the end of this course, particpants will:

  • Be able to outline the history and development of nursing
  • Acquire a knowledge of the structure and function of the health care service in the Republic of Ireland
  • Know the various disciplines and specialities within nursing
  • Understand the nursing process
  • Be able appreciate the models of care
  • Be aware of nursing ethics and etiquette in care situations
  • Be able to communicate effectively in ways that are consistent with the carer's role
  • Become familiar with common nursing/medical terminology
  • Be able to perform a range of basic skills

Target Audience: People who provide care to patients and/or are interested in pursuing further studies in the area of nursing.

Entry Requirements: Level 4 Certificate, Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualifications and/or relevant life and work experiences. The course will be delivered in English and students are expected to have a good command of the English language.

Duration: 5 days

Certification: FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate in Introduction to Nursing Cost: €450


Course 7: Health and Safety at Work

Aim: This module teaches students to meet the standards to be achieved to gain an FETAC credit in Safety and Health at Work at Level 5. It is mandatory module for t he Level 5 Certificate in Community Care and the Level 5 Certificate in Security Studies. It is designed to be taken across a wide range of vocational areas.

This module is designed to provide the learner with the skills and knowledge to promote and maintain safety and health in the working environment. The module should be delivered in the context of the learner's chosen vocational area.

At the end of this course, particpants will:

  • Understand the concepts of safety and health
  • Recognise the factors that influence health, safety and welfare
  • Apply the principles and procedures of health and safety to the workplace
  • Understand the importance of hazard identification and risk assessment
  • Promote safe working practices and procedures
  • Be familiar with core legislation in the area of safety, health ad welfare

Target Audience: People who require a certificate in Health and Safety at Work.

Entry Requirements: There are no prior entry requirements however the course will be delivered in English and students are expected to have a good command of the English language. The course also includes a practical element involving manual handling. Participants will be expected to by physically fit to participate.

Participants who have current manual handling certificates may be exempt from this section of the course.

Duration: 4 days

Certification: FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate in Safety and Health at Work
Cost: €375


Course 11: Human Growth and Development

Aim: This module aims to introduce learners to human development and behaviour from infancy to old age.
The module is designed for learners who intend to work in a variety of community/social care settings where frequent demand is made on the individual to relate to people at various levels of personal development and to understand the concepts of mental age and chronological age in order to be able to relate to people at a level appropriate to their needs. The module is also aimed at learners who wish to pursue further studies in this area.

The module comprises 3 units as follows:

  • The Psychology of Childhood
  • The Psychology of Adolescence
  • The Psychology of Adulthood
At the end of this course, particpants will:

  • Understand the concept of human development from conception to old age
  • Understand normal patterns of development from infancy to old age
  • Explore their own personal prejudices, fears and anxieties about working with people in need of care
  • Develop interpersonal / interactive skills appropriate to responding to the needs of others
  • Apply skills and knowledge to typical work based problems
  • Develop self-confidence and empathy in dealing with people

Target Audience: People who require a certificate in Human Growth and Development.

Entry Requirements: There are no prior entry requirements however the course will be delivered in English and students are expected to have a good command of the English language. The course also includes a practical element involving patient moving and handling. Participants will be expected to by physically fit to participate.

Duration: 5 days

Certification: FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate in Human Growth and Development
Cost: €450


Course 16: Infection Prevention and Control

Aim: This module is a statement of the standards to be achieved to gain a FETAC credit in Infection Prevention & Control at Level 5.
The module is designed for learners who intend to work in a variety of community/social care settings where frequent demand is made on the individual to relate to people at various levels of personal development and to understand the concepts of mental age and chronological age in order to be able to relate to people at a level appropriate to their needs. The module is also aimed at learners who wish to pursue further studies in this area.

The module comprises 4 units as follows:

  • Basic Microbiology
  • Healthcare-Associated Infections
  • Health Management: Corporate and Individual Responsibility in relation to Infection Prevention and Control
  • Principles of Infection Control: Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions

At the end of this course, particpants will:

  • Understand what the area of Infection Control means and its importance for every member of the Healthcare team
  • Have a better understanding of the basic principles of infection control and be able to apply standard precautions in relation to infection control
  • Be aware of the importance of infection prevention and control in providing a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors
  • Be aware of healthcare-associated infection
  • Understand their own role in the prevention of the spread of infection

Target Audience: People who require a certificate in Infection Prevention and Control

Entry Requirements: There are no prior entry requirements however the course will be delivered in English and students are expected to have a good command of the English language. The course also includes a practical element involving patient moving and handling. Participants will be expected to by physically fit to participate.

Duration: 5 days

Certification: FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control
Cost: €450