Health & Social Care Apprenticeship

Course Details

Please Note: This apprenticeship is delivered by County Training and applications and enquiries should be directed directly to them:

Contact: 0345 6789023
Email: enquiries@ctapprenticeships.co.uk
Website: www.ctapprenticeships.co.uk

Introduction to the trade:

The Health and Social Care sector is undergoing radical and rapid change and there's a demand for well-trained and multi-skilled people across a range of rewarding employment opportunities. It is one of the biggest employment sectors in the UK and career options are varied: from doctors and nurses, ambulance staff and support staff within the NHS, to working in social care in a hospital, an educational setting or a residential home. It?s hard work, demanding and challenging. It?s also rewarding, satisfying and worthwhile. Depending on your role, it is likely that no two days will be the same. You can gain an enormous sense of personal achievement from knowing that your job is supporting people and contributing to making a positive difference and enhancing their everyday living, health and well-being. To succeed as a Health and Social Care Apprentice, you need to be patient with a desire to help others who require assistance with their day-to-day activities. If you enjoy caring for people and want a rewarding career where you can make a difference to people?s lives, then this could be the programme for you.

The apprenticeship framework is ideal both for mature existing employees within the sector and for younger people just starting their careers. Apprentices aged 16 and 17 may carry out personal care provided the person receiving care gives consent, they have been suitably trained and are deemed competent by their manager. This is a statement supported by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and a copy of it can be found on the Skills for Care website.

This Apprenticeship will provide an excellent starting point for those wishing to specialise in an area such as midwifery, nursing, clinical healthcare or radiotherapy.

What qualifications will I gain?

There are two levels of apprenticeship available, the Intermediate Level 2 and the Advanced Level 3. You would start with the Intermediate apprenticeship which takes 2 years to complete and can then progress to the level 3 if you wish.

Intermediate Apprenticeship (Level 2)

Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England - this is the competency part of the qualification and essential for you to achieve the full apprenticeship. This part shows that you are competent in performing the skill, trade or occupation your apprenticeship requires.
Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care - to show that you have the necessary technical skills, knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts as well as knowledge and understanding of the relevant market and industry.
Functional Skills at Level 1 for maths and English - providing you with the required level of literacy and numeracy to ensure that you can meet the requirements of the job role
Employee Rights and Responsibilities - assessed through the Level 2 Award in Employment Responsibilities and Rights in Health, Social Care, Children and Young People's Settings component.

Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3)

Suitable for those working in some lone worker or supervisory care roles in social care settings.

Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England - this is the competency part of the qualification and essential for you to achieve the full apprenticeship. This part shows that you are competent in performing the skill, trade or occupation your apprenticeship requires.
Level 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care - to show that you have the necessary technical skills, knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts as well as knowledge and understanding of the relevant market and industry.
Functional Skills at Level 2 for maths and English - providing you with the required level of literacy and numeracy to ensure that you can meet the requirements of the job role
Employee Rights and Responsibilities - assessed through the Level 2 Award in Employment Responsibilities and Rights in Health, Social Care, Children and Young People's Settings component.

How will I be trained?

Apprenticeships are designed with the help of the employers in the industry, so they offer a structured programme that takes you through the skills you need to do a job well. There are targets and checks to make sure that your employer is supporting you and you are making progress.

As an employee you will be in employment for most of your time as most training takes place on the job under the careful supervision of your tutor/assessor, there will be an occasional requirement to attend sessions either at the Ludlow or Hereford campus and this will be arranged with your employer. Your employment will usually be for at least 30 hours per week.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will take place through work-based assessments and practical training at work with theory being assessed via a portfolio of evidence

What are the entry requirements?

Intermediate Apprenticeship

You would normally be expected to have 4 GCSEs at grade E or above (including maths and English), or a relevant vocational qualification at Level 1 or above.
Those applicants without formal qualifications but who can evidence substantial and relevant sector work experience will also be considered.
All applicants are offered a place subject to satisfactory interview and an initial assessment in maths and English.

Advanced Apprenticeship

You would normally be expected to have 5 GCSEs at grade C or above (including maths and English), or a relevant vocational qualification at Level 2 or above.
Those applicants without formal qualifications but who can evidence substantial and relevant sector work experience will also be considered.
All applicants are offered a place subject to satisfactory interview and an initial assessment in maths and English.

Key Facts

Provider: County Training

Minimum Age: 16

Duration: An Apprenticeship will take a minimum of 1 year and an Advanced Apprenticeship will take an additional 18 months.

Further Study:
Learners may progress onto further qualifications specific to their work context. A wide range of qualifications are available within the social care sector. These may include the Higher Apprenticeship in Care Leadership and Management, specialist level 4 or 5 diplomas or management qualifications, QCF qualifications or other work-related education and training to support continuing professional development.

Apprentices can also move to other parts of the sector, for example an apprentice specialising in learning disabilities can take a dementia qualification if their job role changes or if they wish to follow career ambitions in another part of the sector.

Advanced level Apprentices can progress to QCF diplomas at level 4 and above (e.g. Higher National Diploma in H&SC or Higher Education), including, where appropriate, opportunities for progression to foundation degrees (e.g. Foundation Degree in H&SC) and higher education certificates.