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The Introduction to Palliative and End of Life Care Programme

Course Content

This programme provides an introduction to the key principles of supporting people living towards the end of their life with long-term or terminal conditions (Supportive level, NHSE 2025).

The programme is taught by experts and clinicians working in palliative and end of life care and you will be supported in practice by a work-based mentor.

The following topics for each study session are:

  • Spirituality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at end of life
  • Loss Grief & Bereavement
  • An overview of Advance Care Planning (including understanding the ReSPECT process)
  • Supporting Care in the last days of life
  • End of Life Care & Dementia
  • Compassionate Communication.

Candidates will be required to attend all sessions they are allocated to and complete each session and end of programme evaluations and a final written assessment.

The programme is taught at an equivalent level to a level 3 qualification (e.g ‘A’ level) and can be used as evidence for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Eligibility Criteria

This programme is ideal for health and social care professionals who are new to palliative and end of life care or who want to refresh their knowledge. This includes: Health Care Assistants and Support Workers; Registered Nurses and Nursing Associates; Allied Health Care Professionals; and Social Workers.

Funded places are available for colleagues in Leeds Community Healthcare and Leeds Primary Care Teams.

Key Information

Programme Features

  • Learning will be offered through classroom and/or online sessions with interactive activities, scenario-based simulation and discussions.
  • Safe, respectful learning environment.
  • Flexible learning over 6 to 12 months – attend at your own pace.
  • Blended delivery, all sessions available virtually with some sessions also delivered in the classroom as an optional choice.
  • Evidence-based curriculum aligned with NHSE frameworks (supportive level).
  • All sessions mapped to NHSE 2025 core capabilities (supportive level).
  • Certification with recognition of taught and self-directed learning hours as well as level of completed assessment.
  • Practice mentor and academic supervisor support.

Dates

Spring 2026 Programme Timetable
Date/TimeCourse
05/03/2026 10-2pmSupporting Care in the last days of life (Classroom)
17/03/2026 12-4pmEnd of Life Care &  Dementia (Classroom)
24/03/2026 12-4pmCompassionate Communication (Virtual)
28/04/2026 12-4pmSpirituality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at end of life (Virtual)
07/05/2026 10-2pmLoss Grief & Bereavement (Classroom)
29/05/2026 12-4pmAn overview of Advance Care Planning (including understanding the ReSPECT process) (Virtual)
26/06/2026Submission of Article Review (by 12MD)
Autumn 2026 Programme Timetable
08/09/2026 10-2pmSpirituality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at end of life (Virtual)
17/09/2026 12-4pmLoss Grief & Bereavement (Virtual)
24/09/2026 12-4pmAn overview of Advance Care Planning (including understanding the ReSPECT process) (Virtual)
06/10/2026 10-2pmSupporting Care in the last days of life (Virtual)
13/10/2026 12-4pmEnd of Life Care &  Dementia (Virtual)
27/10/2026 12-4pmCompassionate Communication (Virtual)
27/11/2026Submission of Article Review (by 12MD)

Costs

£550 per person

(Funded places are available for colleagues in Leeds Community Healthcare and Leeds Primary Care Teams)

Register Your Interest

Name(Required)
Details
Start Dates

Programme runs from March 2026 – December 2026

Location

Combination Classroom & Virtual via Zoom

Cost
£550