Training can help someone develop the knowledge, self-awareness and practical skills needed to support people around death and dying. Assessment provides an additional level of assurance by checking how well they can understand and apply that learning.

An End of Life Companion has completed our Foundation Training, but their learning and suitability to support others have not been formally assessed by Living Well Dying Well. Their certificate confirms that they attended the full course and completed the required learning activities; it is not an assessment-based certification of competence.

An End of Life Doula in Training is completing assessed learning, reflection and practical experience. As their experience will depend on the stage they have reached, ask what parts of the Diploma they have completed and what support they feel able to offer.

A certified End of Life Doula has completed the full Living Well Dying Well Diploma Programme, including assessed work and practical experience. This provides greater assurance that they have demonstrated the knowledge, reflection and safe practice required by the programme.  

Training and experience are both important, but they are not the same. Someone may have completed training without having supported many people, while another person may bring valuable experience from their community, family life, volunteering or other roles.

Ask about the kinds of situations they have supported, whether they have experience relevant to your circumstances and what they have learnt from that experience. A thoughtful person should be comfortable explaining both the experience they bring and the limits of that experience.

Talk openly about what you and those important to you may need. This could include companionship, listening, planning ahead, practical help, support with family conversations or a consistent presence as circumstances change.

Ask how often the person can be available, whether they can offer support over time and what would be outside the boundaries of their role. Companions and End of Life Doulas offer non-medical support and do not replace doctors, nurses, counsellors or other health and social care professionals.

Be clear from the beginning about whether the support is being offered voluntarily or for payment. You should both understand what has been agreed, including the kind of support offered, availability, boundaries, confidentiality, any fees and how either person can end the arrangement.

A written agreement can be helpful even when no payment is involved. It creates a shared understanding and reduces the possibility of confusion at what may already be a difficult or emotional time.

Needs can change as someone’s health, relationships or circumstances develop. Ask how the person would respond if you needed more support, different support or help that was outside their experience or role.

They should be able to recognise when additional help is needed, communicate openly with you and, with your agreement, work alongside or signpost you to appropriate health, social care or community services. They should not continue beyond their competence simply because a trusting relationship has developed.

If you are inviting someone into your home, particularly when they may spend time alone with a person who is ill or vulnerable, it is reasonable to ask whether they have an appropriate and current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

A DBS check can provide information about relevant criminal records, but it does not guarantee that someone is safe or suitable. It should form part of a wider conversation about their training, experience, boundaries, references and safeguarding arrangements. You may also wish to ask when the check was completed, what type of check it is and whether it relates to the role they will undertake.

If they are practising independently, you may wish to ask whether they have suitable insurance and appropriate arrangements for protecting your personal information.

Ongoing mentoring or supervision gives someone a confidential space to reflect on their practice, recognise the limits of their role and consider how best to respond to difficult situations. These arrangements do not remove personal responsibility, but they can help someone work more safely, thoughtfully and within clear boundaries.