Do you need to source high quality Care Worker ID Cards?

If you have been tasked with sourcing ID cards for care workers, then this blog post is for you, please read on for some helpful tips and information.

Somewhere in the region of 1.5 million people worked in the adult social care sector in 2021/22 here in England, which is more than the total number of people who worked for the NHS during that same period of time (data from UK Govt research briefing; link )

That means that hundreds of thousands of care worker ID cards need to be printed and distributed for these professionals, as ID cards are today utilised by the majority of businesses and organisations which work within the care sector.

Data for care worker ID cards

There is established information and biometric data relating to each individual care worker, and the organisation / professional body that they work for, which is included on ID cards. This data typically includes;

Portrait photo – An up-to-date portrait photo of the member of staff. This could be in colour, or in black and white. It is advised to follow the guidelines for I.D card photos fit for use on official I.D such as passports and driving licenses. Many high street shops have photo booths which can print a suitable photo within minutes.

Personal info – This may include full name, rank / role, date of birth, area of specialty and potentially a personal I.D number, and even a QR code.

Barcode – Care worker ID cards may feature a barcode which can be scanned upon entry by security staff, parking attendants, etc. 

Corporate branding – The vast majority of care workers work for companies, organisations and agencies, and as such, their logos, address’ and branding will need to appear on their care worker ID cards. This may mean the use of specific fonts, colour swatches etc. 

Data collection & storage

If you are organising the design and printing of care worker ID cards, you’ll need to collect all relevant personal data from staff members. This may already be held in a central repository, but if not, you’ll need to ask individuals to supply it. It’s very important to remember at this stage that the Data Protection Act of 2018, which governs General Data Protection Regulation (or GDPR), now makes it your responsibility to store and handle any personal data in a safe and secure manner. Failure to adhere to GDPR rules and regulations can lead to significant fines. 

As these laws apply to everyone, they also apply to the care worker ID card printer / distributor you choose. As such, it’s wise to check which safeguards they have in place before you pass on any sensitive information to them. 

Your ID card printing partner

Advanced Card Bureau Ltd are a specialist printer and distributor of care worker ID cards here in the UK. ACB handles and store any data supplied in compliance with all GDPR requirements. They also offer a range of ID card accessories, such as lanyards and card holders.