This free elearning course is for those with responsibility for data security and protection in small to medium sized care and support organisations in England. We have used the term data security and protection lead to describe this role. The course meets the training requirements within the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT).
This is the only free elearning resource on this topic specifically designed for data security and protection leads. The scenarios reflect situations that face adult social care organisations – including care homes, supported living, home care and community services – and it covers all client groups. You can use this course to improve your knowledge of data protection and cyber security and to support your continuing professional development (CPD).
We also have an elearning course specifically for staff. We strongly recommend that leads complete the general course for staff before completing this more advanced course for leads.
Read our guides on how to use the programme, or get straight to each module in the boxes below.
If you have your own Learning Management System (LMS) and would like a SCORM compliant version of the programme for non-commercial use, please contact us.
Course updated October 2026: This course has been updated to include additional information on AI and more on how to manage your IT suppliers. And for the first time we have added an assessment to the course.
Find out more about the changes: Leads elearning update notice October 2026
