More about Health & Social Care Apprenticeships

Entry Level Apprenticeships (Level 2)

Looking for the first step in your health and social care career? Have a look at some of the apprenticeship standards below. Apprenticeship Standards at this level include:

Adult Care Worker

Healthcare Cleaning Operative

Healthcare Support Worker

Healthcare Science Assistant

Level 2 apprentices also complete Functional Skills Level 1 (if not already achieved) during as part of their apprenticeship. Some employers will ask for applicants to already have GCSE maths and English at grade C or above (or Functional Skills Level 2).
Level 2 apprenticeship standards typically take 15 months including the End Point Assessment. All apprenticeships must be a minimum of 12 months in duration.

Level 3 Apprenticeship Standards

Level 3 apprenticeship standards usually require some level of experience within a care setting or completion of a Level 2 health relates qualification (such as the Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker). Apprenticeship standards at this level include:

Senior Healthcare Support Worker 

Lead Adult Care Worker

Team/Leader Supervisor

Entry Requirements – applicants will also complete Functional Skills Level 2 (if not already achieved) during as part of their apprenticeship. Some employers will ask for applicants to already have GCSE maths and English at grade C or above (or Functional Skills Level 2) and previous healthcare experience as preferable but not essential.

Qualifications – some apprenticeship standards have mandatory qualifications, our outlines in the assessment plan. The most common mandatory qualifications are a Level 3 Diploma.
Level 3 apprenticeship standards typically take between 18 and 21 months, including the End Point Assessment. All apprenticeships must be a minimum of 12 months in duration.

Level 4 – Higher Level Apprenticeships

Level 4 apprenticeship roles are usually more senior and will require previous experience and/or a healthcare related qualification. Apprenticeship standards at this level include:

Lead Practitioner in Adult Care 

Entry Requirements – its likely that employers will ask for applicants to already have GCSE maths and English at grade C or above (or Functional Skills Level 2) and have previous healthcare experience.
Qualifications – some apprenticeship standards have mandatory qualifications our outlines in the assessment plan. The most common mandatory qualifications are a Level 4 Diploma.
Level 4 apprenticeship standards typically take 21 months including the End Point Assessment. All apprenticeships must be a minimum of 12 months in duration.

Level 5 – Management & Regulated Clinical Apprenticeships

Level five apprenticeships require considerable experience in health and social care, and possibly some management experience. Apprenticeship Standards at this level include:

Leader in Adult Care 

Nursing Associate

Operations/Departmental Manager

Assistant Practitioner

Entry Requirements - employers will ask for applicants to already have GCSE maths and English at grade C or above (or Functional Skills Level 2), previous healthcare experience and most likely a lower level healthcare related qualification as part of the set entry criteria.
Qualifications – some apprenticeship standards have mandatory qualifications our outlines in the assessment plan. The most common mandatory qualifications are a Level 5 Diploma or Foundation Degree.

Level 5 apprenticeship standards typically take 24 months including the End Point Assessment.

Level 6 – Registered & Regulates Roles

Level 6 apprenticeships typically include a degree and profession that is regulated by an official body such as the NMC. Most Apprenticeship standards at the level include.

Nursing Degree (Mental Health, Adult Nursing and LDD) 

Physiotherapist

Occupational Therapist

Operating Department Practitioner

District Nurse

Physician Associate

Some of the following resources may be useful should you wish to find out more about apprenticeship within the Health and Social Care sector.

Home / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Home - HASO (skillsforhealth.org.uk)

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