Overview

Apprenticeships are for those aged 16 or over and combine working with studying to gain skills and knowledge in a job role. Apprentices can be new or current employees and across health and social care and there are programmes ranging from Level 2-Level 7 learning to assist with developing the workforce across primary care.

Healthcare support workers play a vital role in providing excellent care to patients across primary care settings and are increasingly encouraged to undertake some of the exciting Apprenticeship opportunities available.

HCSW can initially access the Care Certificate Care Certificate – elearning for healthcare (e-lfh.org.uk) and the additional Higher Development Award (HDA) .

Download the HDA pathway to understand what it covers and visit the Skills for Health website to see a detailed list of the learning outcomes . Both of these learning programmes provide development for those wishing to stay in the support worker role and for those who wish to continue to develop their learning through further apprenticeship routes.

The HCSW role can also lead to a range of career opportunities. With the right support, those who exemplify the skills and core values essential to delivering high-quality, compassionate care could go on to become our future nurses, nursing associates, or Allied Health Professional team members. NHS England » A guide to retaining your healthcare support worker workforce through the many different clinical apprenticeship pathway routes outlined below:

Benefits of Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can benefit your workforce by: –

• “Growing your own staff” for future service needs (Nursing Associate/ Registered Nurse roles)
• providing you with a motivated and fast-developing workforce.
• contributing to retention of staff.

The Level 2 Adult Care apprenticeship or the Level 2 Health care worker apprenticeship are great entry routes. Level 3 lead Adult care worker or Level 3 Senior Health care worker apprenticeships further support the development of staff in the workplace. Health Care Support Worker Apprenticeship Standards.

 – Level 4 Higher Apprenticeships and Level 5 Nursing Associate Apprenticeships can Lead onto a L6 Registration Award (Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeships for Example). Level 7 post graduate opportunities in Advanced Practice pathways can extend this learning even further, see our Suffolk and North East Essex University links below.

Apprentices:

• work with experienced staff
• learn skills relevant to their employing organisation
• get time for training or study during their working week (at least 20% of their normal working hours)

Employer’s need to provide:

• a safe work environment
• an induction which includes explaining relevant policies and procedures
• opportunities for the student to develop their technical skills within the clinical learning environment.
• 20% ‘Off-the-job’ training delivered by a training provider during your apprentice’s normal working hours.
• ‘On-the-job’ training and additional support from practice supervisors or mentors.
• Both employer and apprentice will need to have a signed apprenticeship agreement and an apprenticeship commitment statement from the learner and training provider.

Employment of Apprentices / Funding:

Apprentices need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours a week in order to meet the National Apprenticeship Standard. You can use the apprenticeship standard finder on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website to find further information:

Most apprentices are employed on full time hours e.g., 37.5 hours a week, however the minimum requirement under the standard is 30 hours per week. Funding for tuition fees is available through application (Apprenticeship Levy requesting) and your Training Hub can help you connect with these offers.

In terms of support and mentoring in the workplace, the apprentice will need a line manager / supervisor / work colleague to train them in the required skills and to supervise their work until they are considered competent in each work task. The benefits will be a low cost / high value employee who has been trained on site and knows exactly what is required of them. The Training Hub can provide further guidance and training on the needs here.

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