How to Check If Your Training Provider Is BILD Act Certified

To check whether a training provider is BILD Act certified, visit bildact.org.uk and search the certified organisations list. Enter your provider's name exactly as registered. If they do not appear on that list, they are not certified, regardless of any claims they make about being 'aligned', 'equivalent', or 'compliant' with the RRN Training Standards.

Why certification status matters in adult social care

Since April 2021, the Care Quality Commission expects all health and social care services to use training that is certified against the RRN Training Standards. This expectation was set out in a joint letter from CQC, Skills for Care, and Health Education England. Non-compliance is considered likely to be a breach of CQC Regulation 18, which governs staffing.

For managers and commissioners in adult social care, this creates a clear responsibility: you need to be able to demonstrate that the training your staff receive meets the required standard. A certificate from a non-certified provider is not evidence of compliance, even if the course title sounds appropriate.

The RRN Training Standards were independently evaluated by Manchester Metropolitan University, providing a robust, evidence-based framework that goes beyond what self-declared 'equivalent' programmes can offer. Choosing a provider certified against these standards is not simply a regulatory checkbox; it is a commitment to safe, trauma-informed practice.

Step 1: Visit bildact.org.uk and find the certified organisations list

The BILD Association of Certified Training (BILD Act) maintains the definitive list of certified training organisations in the United Kingdom. To verify a provider:

1. Go to bildact.org.uk in your browser.
2. Navigate to the certified organisations section (often listed as 'Find a certified provider' or 'Certified organisations').
3. Search for your training provider by name. Use the exact legal name of the organisation, not a trading name or abbreviation.
4. If the provider appears on the list, note the scope of their certification. Certification covers specific programmes and delivery contexts, not all training a provider offers.
5. If the provider does not appear, they are not certified.

The list is updated regularly. If a provider tells you they are certified but you cannot find them, ask them to supply their BILD Act certificate number and contact BILD Act directly to verify.

What the certified organisations list shows

Each entry on the certified organisations list includes the organisation name, the specific programmes that have been certified, and the certification expiry date. Certification is not permanent; providers must undergo re-audit to maintain their status. A provider certified in 2019 that has not been re-audited may no longer hold valid certification.

What to do if your provider is not listed

If your current provider is not on the certified organisations list, you have three options: ask the provider to clarify their certification status and provide documentary evidence; commission a full review of your training arrangements; or begin the process of transitioning to a BILD Act certified training provider. For CQC-regulated services, continuing with non-certified training carries regulatory risk.

Step 2: Understand what BILD Act certification actually means

BILD Act certification is not a self-declared status. It is the outcome of an independent third-party audit conducted by assessors accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). UKAS is the national accreditation body for the UK, appointed by government. This is the same framework used for ISO certification and laboratory accreditation.

To achieve certification, a training provider must demonstrate that their programmes meet all elements of the RRN Training Standards. The assessment covers curriculum content, trainer competency, delivery methods, assessment processes, and organisational governance. This is a thorough audit, not a paper exercise.

What UKAS accreditation means in this context

UKAS does not certify training providers directly. Rather, BILD Act is accredited by UKAS to carry out certification assessments of training providers against the RRN Training Standards. This accreditation means that BILD Act's own assessment processes have been independently verified as rigorous and consistent. When a provider is certified by BILD Act, the chain of assurance runs: RRN Standards, audited by BILD Act, BILD Act accredited by UKAS.

The difference between certified and self-declared

Any training organisation can claim that their programme is 'aligned' with the RRN Training Standards. There is no legal restriction on using that language. Certification, however, is verifiable. It requires an external auditor to have examined the provider's programmes and confirmed they meet the standard. The two are not equivalent, and using the word 'aligned' does not confer any of the regulatory standing that certification carries.

Step 3: Verify the specific course, not just the provider

An important detail that many managers overlook: even if your training provider holds BILD Act certification, not every course they offer is a certified course. Certification applies to specific programmes that have been assessed, not to everything a provider delivers.

Short introductory sessions, for example, cannot meet the RRN Training Standards. A six-hour or twelve-hour programme does not have sufficient contact time to cover all required elements to the standard needed. If your staff are attending short refresher sessions or awareness days, those courses are unlikely to be certified courses even if your provider as an organisation holds certification.

How to check a specific course's certification status

When you contact a provider or review their course documentation, ask specifically: is this particular course certified against the RRN Training Standards? Ask for the course code or reference number as it appears in their BILD Act certification scope. A certified provider will be able to answer this question clearly and provide documentation.

What a certified course must cover

The RRN Training Standards specify that certified programmes must include modules on: human rights and legal frameworks; trauma-informed practice; proactive and preventative strategies; de-escalation and communication; restrictive practices as a last resort; and post-incident support and review. A certified course must cover all of these areas with sufficient depth and contact time.

Red flags: when a provider's claims should concern you

There are specific phrases and behaviours that should prompt closer scrutiny of a training provider's certification claims. These are not definitive proof of wrongdoing, but they warrant further investigation before you commit your organisation to training that may not meet regulatory requirements.

'BILD Act aligned' or 'RRN equivalent'

These phrases are the most common red flags. 'Aligned' means the provider believes their programme resembles the standard; it does not mean they have been audited against it. 'Equivalent' has no official meaning in this context. Neither phrase appears on a BILD Act certificate, because neither phrase reflects certified status. If a provider uses this language, ask directly: are you on the BILD Act certified organisations list? Then verify independently at bildact.org.uk.

Reluctance to provide documentation

A certified provider will readily supply their BILD Act certificate, including the scope of certification and the expiry date. If a provider is reluctant to share this documentation, is vague about which specific courses are certified, or asks you to trust their word rather than providing paperwork, treat this as a significant concern.

Certificates that only show CPD accreditation

CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accreditation is a separate category entirely. CPD accreditation means a course has been reviewed for its learning objectives and professional development value. It does not involve assessment against the RRN Training Standards and carries no regulatory weight in the context of CQC Regulation 18 or the NHS Standard Contract requirements for physical intervention training.

Very short course durations

As noted above, the RRN Training Standards require sufficient contact time to cover all required elements. A provider offering a certified programme in six or twelve hours should be questioned carefully about what is and is not included. This is a practical signal that the course cannot be fully certified, regardless of what the marketing materials say.

What to do if your current training provider is not BILD Act certified

Discovering that your current training provider is not certified can feel alarming, particularly if staff training records have been built around a programme that does not meet regulatory requirements. The practical steps are straightforward.

First, do not wait. If your service is regulated by CQC, you have an obligation to address this. Document that you have identified the gap and are taking steps to remedy it. This demonstrates proactive compliance management.

Second, review your upcoming training calendar and pause any bookings with the non-certified provider while you source a certified alternative. You do not need to immediately re-train all staff, but you should ensure that all future training meets the standard.

Third, notify your registered manager and your organisation's senior leadership. This is a governance matter, not simply a training administration issue. In a CQC inspection, the registered manager is responsible for evidencing that staffing (including training) meets required standards.

Transitioning to a certified provider

When selecting a new certified provider, use the bildact.org.uk list as your starting point, then conduct due diligence on the providers who appear there. Look for evidence of experience in your specific sector, trainer credentials, and whether the provider's approach is genuinely trauma-informed rather than primarily focused on physical techniques.

Organisations that have implemented BILD Act certified training consistently report improvements in staff confidence, reductions in incident frequency, and improved outcomes for the people they support. Our training is certified against the Restraint Reduction Network Training Standards. Manchester Metropolitan University evaluated the RRN Training Standards as a national framework, not our programme directly.

PAA questions answered

Where can I find the list of BILD Act certified providers?

The official list of BILD Act certified training providers is maintained at bildact.org.uk. This is the only authoritative source. Search by your provider's name to verify their certification status. The list shows which specific programmes each organisation holds certification for, and when that certification expires.

How do I verify a provider's BILD Act certification?

Visit bildact.org.uk and search the certified organisations list for your provider's name. If they appear, note the scope and expiry of their certification. You can also ask the provider directly for their BILD Act certificate number and verify it with BILD Act. Do not rely solely on the provider's own assurances or marketing materials.

Can a provider claim BILD Act certification without being audited?

No. BILD Act certification is the outcome of an independent third-party audit by UKAS-accredited assessors. A provider cannot be certified without completing that audit process and passing it. However, providers can claim to be 'aligned' or 'equivalent' without audit, which is why checking the certified organisations list directly is essential.

What does UKAS accredited mean in the context of BILD Act?

UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) is the national accreditation body for the UK, appointed by government. In the context of BILD Act certification, UKAS accredits BILD Act itself to carry out certification assessments of training providers. This means BILD Act's assessment processes have been independently verified. When a provider is certified by BILD Act, the quality assurance chain includes UKAS oversight.

What should I do if my current training provider is not BILD Act certified?

If your service is CQC-regulated, document that you have identified the gap and are taking steps to address it. Pause future bookings with the non-certified provider and begin sourcing a certified alternative using the bildact.org.uk list. Notify your registered manager and senior leadership, as this is a governance matter. Prioritise transitioning to a certified provider for all future training delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Is BILD Act certification mandatory for all training providers?

BILD Act certification is not a legal requirement for all training providers in every setting. However, from April 2021, CQC expects all health and social care services to use RRN-certified training providers. For NHS-commissioned services, certified training has been a contractual requirement since April 2020. For Ofsted-only regulated settings, certification is best practice but not currently mandated by regulation.

Does Ofsted require BILD Act certified training?

Ofsted does not currently require BILD Act certification. LGA guidance produced jointly with CQC, NHS England, and ADASS confirms that settings regulated only by Ofsted or DfE are permitted to use trainers that are not UKAS accredited or BILD Act certified. This may change as regulatory frameworks develop, and best practice strongly favours certified provision regardless of inspection framework.

How often does BILD Act certification need to be renewed?

BILD Act certification is not permanent. Providers must undergo re-audit to maintain their certification status. When checking a provider on the certified organisations list, note the expiry date of their certification. A provider whose certification has lapsed is no longer certified, even if they previously held the status. Always check that current certification is in place before commissioning training.

What is the difference between BILD Act certification and CPD accreditation?

CPD accreditation confirms that a course has value for professional development. BILD Act certification confirms that a training programme has been independently assessed against the RRN Training Standards by UKAS-accredited auditors. CPD accreditation carries no regulatory weight in the context of CQC expectations or NHS Standard Contract requirements for physical intervention training. They are not interchangeable.

How ProActive Approaches can support your organisation

ProActive Approaches is BILD Act (RRN) certified, delivering physical intervention and behaviour support training with 30+ years experience. Our training is certified against the Restraint Reduction Network Training Standards. Manchester Metropolitan University evaluated the RRN Training Standards as a national framework, not our programme directly.

Simon Gower, author of The Empathy Gap and founder of ProActive Approaches, leads an approach grounded in relational practice, trauma-informed thinking, and real-world experience in adult social care settings.

If you need to transition your organisation to certified training, or want to discuss how our programmes can meet your specific needs, get in touch or view upcoming course dates.