Apprenticeships allow 16+ year olds to start work and earn a wage, while learning new skills that lead to nationally recognised qualifications. Advanced Apprenticeships are designed with the help of employers in the industry, so they offer a structured programme that takes apprentices through the skills needed to do a job well. Most of an apprentice’s training takes place on the job but they will also have to complete off-the-job training within college either by day release or over a number of days in a block. Advanced apprentices work towards a work-based diploma qualification that serves as the required qualification for registration and regulatory requirements in the social care sector in England. Additionally, they will gain a nationally recognised certificate.

The Apprenticeship covers the following:

• Promote communication in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
• Engage in personal development in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
• Promote equality and inclusion in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
• Principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
• Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care
• The role of the health and social care worker
• Promote person centred approaches in health and social care
• Promote and implement health and safety in health and social Care
• Promote good practice in handling information in health and social care settings

Optional units can include:

• The Principles of Infection Prevention and Control
• Causes and spread of infection
• Principles of supporting an individual to maintain personal hygiene
• Move and position individuals in accordance with their plan of care
• Promote positive behaviour
• Prepare environments and resources for use during healthcare activities
• Support individuals to maintain personal hygiene
• Promote active support
• Support person-centred thinking and planning

Applicants should be qualified to level 2 in health and social care or have equivalent industry experience. Basic numeracy and literacy skills are also required.

The diploma is assessed through work-based evidence compiled as a portfolio. The certificate is assessed on practical assignments, observation of practice and witness testimonies.

At the end of the programme apprentices will have achieved:

• Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
• Level 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care (QCF) 600/3827/5
• Functional skills in Maths, English and ICT
• Employee Rights and Responsibilities
• Personal Learning and Thinking Skills

With further experience you could go on to complete the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Care.

This qualification confirms competence for roles such as: care assistants/support workers/key workers in residential settings, community and primary care environments, acute health environments, domiciliary services, day services, and supported living projects. It also confirms competence for community-based care assistants/support workers/key workers, including those working in specialist areas, eg dementia, learning disabilities. It is relevant for personal assistants employed directly by the individual they support or their families and for emerging new types of workers and multidisciplinary health roles crossing traditional service barriers and delivery models.