Assistant Practitioner (Level 5)
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Description
Assistant Practitioners work as part of the wider health and social care team and have direct contact with patients, service users or clients providing high quality and compassionate care. Assistant Practitioners work at a level above that of Healthcare Support Workers and have a more in-depth understanding about factors that influence health and ill-health (e.g. anatomy and physiology). Assistant Practitioner is a job title applied to a very wide variety of roles that have been developed locally by employers to meet individual service need.
Duration
24 months
Most Suitable For
Healthcare Support Workers. Other roles and experience will be considered on an individual basis
Award
Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship award and Foundation Degree in Assistant Practitioner.
Additional Funding
For all Employers:
- If apprentice is under the age of 25, Employer may not have to pay Class 1 Employer National Insurance. Full details and criteria are found here.
- For apprenticeships starting between 1 August 2024 - 31 July 2025, employer may be eligible for £1,000 if apprentice is aged 16 - 18 years old, OR aged 19 - 24 years old and has either an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority and / or has been in the care of their local authority. Full details and criteria are found within the ESFA Funding Rules.
- Some Councils are providing incentive payments to local small employers who recruit and employ young apprentices. To find out more, including eligibility and how to apply for an incentive, please visit Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub (details within the GRANT presentation)
- Lancashire County Council incentive is £3,000 for 100 Lancashire employers
- Chorley Council incentive is £1,500 for Chorley employers
- Fylde Borough Council incentive is £5,000 for Fylde employers recruiting a new apprentice who is a Fylde resident.
Start Date
Usually September and March
Teaching Delivery
Choose from; all face-to-face, all online, or a combination of both. Preston is the main campus. Depending on application numbers, delivery from Burnley and Westlakes may also become options.
Key Learning Requirements
Apprenticeships require learners to achieve specific new knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), which are detailed in the Apprenticeship Standard. These are acheived by;
1) Programme Teaching: Usually 1 day a week teaching, plus online resources and tasks, and time for learner to research and write assignments/reflections. This is a hybrid delivery so you can choose from; all face-to-face, all online or a combination of both.
2) Independent study: such as assignment research and write up.
3) Learning in the workplace; shadowing colleagues, completing programme assigned work based projects, day-to-day development within your current role duties/work activities, reflections with mentor, relevant training sessions. UCLan do not require external placements to be completed, although such exposure is highly encouraged.
Modules
This programme enables employer and learner to choose some of the modules. This includes profession specific modules in Nursing, IAPT, OT, Stroke/Neuro (Physio and Dietetics modules are currently in development). A list of modules is available on the course webpage or course materials. For September 2024 and March 2025 cohorts, the options on profession pathway modules to choose will differ per cohort. Please refer to the course presentation within the resources section for overview and contact the university if you have any queries about the module options.
Placements
This programme does not require external placements to be completed, although varied experiences are beneficial.
Assessments
assessed throughout the programme by assignments, observations, evaluations, work-based learning modules and End Point Assessment.
Key Candidate Entry Requirements
• Employed 30 hours or more per week for the duration of the apprenticeship
It is preferred that candidates can evidence all of the following at application stage;
• Certificate/s to evidence both Maths and English at either GCSE C/4 or higher, Functional Skills Level 2 from an Ofqual approved examining organisation, or acceptable alternative (List of acceptable options
here)
• Level 3 study (or sufficient practical experience will be considered on an individual basis)
• Care Certificate (can be achieved on the programme if do not already have)
• Plus recent Enhanced DBS (Employer’s responsibility)
Full requirements and details are found on the course webpage/information.
Key Employer Entry Requirements
• Ensure Learner has the support and opportunities to achieve the requirements of the apprenticeship.
• A Registered Practitioner to mentor the apprentice. This will include; supporting the learner to achieve competencies and 1-2 hours a week completing sign off duties and catch-ups with the learner to ensure they are on track. The mentor will attend tripartite review meetings on behalf of the employer (these take place usually every 12 weeks between the university, employer and the learner).
Listed as an Approved Provider under an NHS Procurement
Higher Procurement AHP Adapted Standards: This provider is approved as having a programme offer that aligns to the Allied Health Profession's Support Worker Competency, Education, and Career Development Framework for OT, Physio and Rehab/Combined Therapy pathways.
Application Timescale
It takes on average 2 – 3 months to complete all application stages for this programme.
If recruiting to this position, additional time will be required for recruitment and advertising stages.
Usual training provider deadlines include:
- enquiries and university interview arranged no later than 2 months prior to intake
- and final uclan application form stage completed no later than 1 month prior to intake.
- See presentation slides for 2024/25 specific deadlines.
Additional Training Hub Support
Primary Care Employees:
• Have access to all resources provided by the L&SCPC Training Hub such as Digital training, Health and Wellbeing support and events. There are also various profession pages that include specfic training and resources suitable for this role.
Social Care Employees:
• Have access to all resources provided by the L&SCSC Training Hub such as training, Health and Wellbeing support and events.
Pathway
On successful completion of this apprenticeship, examples of further apprenticeship options include; Allied Health Professional route (various options e.g. Enhanced Clinical Practitioner/Physiotherapist/Dietitian/Occupational Therapist) or Nursing Top Up.
HASO Apprenticeship pathway tool is available
hereCareer progression does not have to be linear. Entry criteria may differ per provider and varied routes may be available depending on the individuals prior learning and experience.
Information Last Updated
12/09/2024
Programme Resources
If you would like to know anything further about the programme itself, please contact: Terence Jagger, [email protected]
How to Apply
If you would like to discuss or apply for an apprenticeship either for yourself, a member of staff or a vacancy for a new recruit, please complete the appropriate Training Hub Expression of Interest Form from the following options. This allows the apprenticeship team to complete basic pre-checks and to ensure the advice and guidance provided to you is tailored to your service. When relevant, application instructions (including tuition fee and funding instructions) will be sent.
Primary Care Online Expression of Interest Form. If you would like to discuss anything first, please email [email protected] or call Olivia on 07735161775
Social Care Online Expression of Interest Form. If you would like to discuss anything first, please email [email protected] or call Dawn on 07796 060023
