Additional
| Apprenticeship | Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner |
|---|---|
| Location | Blended |
| Training Provider | University of Greater Manchester |
Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (NMC 2022) (Level 7)
Community Nurse Specialist Practitioners provide health care at an advanced level of practice to people of all ages and communities. They work across different organisations and settings; for example, Primary Care, Social Care, third-sector organisations, hospitals (including mental health), hospices, prisons, schools and other community services.
Duration
12 months (53 weeks) or 70 weeks part-time
12 months (53 weeks) or 70 weeks part-time
Most Suitable For
Registered Nurses wanting to develop specialist Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. This programme is suitable for those wanting to progress to a care management and leadership role at an advancing level. The programme enables the development of skills associated with clinical practice, V300 prescribing, health promotion, evidence based practice and development of professional knowledge and skill associated with the role of the General Practice Nursing Specialist Practitioner.
Registered Nurses wanting to develop specialist Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. This programme is suitable for those wanting to progress to a care management and leadership role at an advancing level. The programme enables the development of skills associated with clinical practice, V300 prescribing, health promotion, evidence based practice and development of professional knowledge and skill associated with the role of the General Practice Nursing Specialist Practitioner.
Award
Level 7 Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner; General Practice Nursing Post-Graduate Diploma Apprenticeship
Level 7 Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner; General Practice Nursing Post-Graduate Diploma Apprenticeship
Programme Cost
£14,000.
The Government have announced that for any Level 7 apprenticeship intakes starting 1st January 2026 onwards, employers can not use Levy or Government Co-investment to pay for the tuition fee. Employers will therefore need to finance 100% of the tuition fee. The only exceptions will be if the apprentice is aged 16 to 21, or Under 25 and either a care leaver or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) at the start of their apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship tuition fee is paid using employer levy. Levy Paying Employers and Non-Levy Paying Employers, please read the DAS and Tuition steps within our Apprenticeships Process – Employer Guide for more information and instructions.
Additional Funding
- NHSE CSP Training Grant Sep 2025: *Expressions of Interest must be received on or before 13 June 2025*. NHSE have confirmed a training grant is available for CSP-GPN programmes starting September 2025 (either on traditional route or apprenticeship route). To find out more please refer to the training grant document . For the apprenticeship route, the training grant will provide salary contributions of £2,904 per month (pro rata for a maximum of 12 months / 52 weeks). Depending on the size of the organisation, the employer may also be able to apply for financial support to cover 100% of the tuition fee. New apprenticeship interest for September 2025 intakes can still apply to either University of Lancashire or University of Greater Manchester. Please find programme details here. To express interest in this training grant (for either the traditional route or apprenticeship route) please contact [email protected] as soon as possible, but no later than 5pm on Friday 13 June 2025. When emailing, please confirm the official organisation name and address, route (traditional or apprenticeship), university, and the name and email address of your GPN candidate/s. The Training Hub will then notify NHSE of your expression of interest and will also provide you with further instructions on how to apply for the programme.
- 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 2026, employer may be eligible for £1,000 if apprentice is aged 16 - 18 years old (or 15 years of age if the apprentice’s 16th birthday is between the last Friday of June and 31 August); or aged between 19 and 24 years old and has either an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority and / or has been, or are, in the care of their local authority. Full details and criteria are found within the relevant DfE 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
September 2025
September 2025
Teaching Delivery
Blended with both face-to-face (Bolton Campus) and online teaching and resources.
Blended with both face-to-face (Bolton Campus) and online teaching and resources.
Key Learning Requirements
Apprenticeships require learners to achieve specific new knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), which are detailed in the Apprenticeship Standard. These are achieved by;
1) Programme Teaching; This equates to 40% of the apprenticeship. Teaching is delivered via a blended approach of both online learning (30%) and on-campus teaching (70%). Apprentices will complete on average 2 days per week of theory. All learners will be assessed in according to the NMC proficiencies, which will be evidenced in a portfolio. The V300 is included in the programme (the University are designing alternative provision for those who have already completed V300). Throughout the programme, apprentices on the GPN pathway will be learning alongside learners on other professional pathways (such as health visiting, school nursing and district nursing) to build on their knowledge of the integrated workforce. There will be specific General Practice Nursing taught provision provided during the Professional Practice and Compassionate Leadership in General Practice Nursing module which is delivered throughout the programme.
2) Independent study; such as assignment/project research and write up. Apprentices have timetabled days for this. Support is available from module leads, the module teams and the library services.
3) Learning in the workplace; This equates to 60% of the apprenticeship. Apprentices will complete on average 3 days per week in Practice. Learning in the workplace includes shadowing colleagues, completing programme assigned practice based projects/activities, new learning and development whilst completing working duties, reflections with assessor, relevant training sessions. Learners will be allocated a named assessor and have supervisors with the relevant experience, skill and qualification within the work place to support and monitor progression, in line with the NMC SSSA standards for student assessment. In addition the University will allocate an Academic Assessor who will visit the learner in the placement and support the sign off of proficiencies. External placements are not required for this programme, although learners are encouraged to consider some practice learning opportunities outside of their place of work/setting in agreement with their Practice Assessor (if agreed, supervision during this time must be within the SSSA standards where professional boundaries are exceeded). As part of the V300 learning, 90 hours needs to be dedicated to prescribing.
Modules
This programme has profession route pathways, the detail in this page relates to the CSP General Practice Nurse route. For module information or for details on other routes please see the university webpage (when available)
This programme has profession route pathways, the detail in this page relates to the CSP General Practice Nurse route. For module information or for details on other routes please see the university webpage (when available)
Placements
This programme does not require external placements to be completed, although varied experiences are beneficial.
This programme does not require external placements to be completed, although varied experiences are beneficial.
Assessments
Assessed throughout the programme by assignments, observations, evaluations and End Point Assessment.
Assessed throughout the programme by assignments, observations, evaluations and End Point Assessment.
Key Candidate Entry Requirements
• Employed in a suitable role for the duration of the apprenticeship. This programme can be completed in two ways; part-time over 70 weeks if working 30 hours a week or more, or full-time over 53 weeks if working 37.5 hours a week or more.
• Evidence of English and Maths at GCSE C/4/Functional Skills Level 2/Equivalent or above is required at application stage due to the nature and level of the programme. An initial diagnostic assessment will also be completed by the university at application stage.
• Normally expected to have an Honours Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, but will consider applications where successful level 6 study within previous 5 years’ can be evidenced.
• For those undertaking the V300, evidence of at least 1 years post registration experience is required.
• Enhanced DBS (within 3 years of course start date).
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may be considered for relevant prior learning at the same academic level.
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 Practice Assessor / Practice Supervisor for supporting apprentice with practical learning within the apprentice’s place of work. Plus a suitable assessor for the V300 element.
• Up-to-date Unified Learning Environment (for apprentice’s place/s of work where practical learning is to take place) and NMC employer partner approval (these will be completed during application if required).
Listed as an Approved Provider under an NHS Procurement
TBC - Currently awaiting Higher Procurement award outome from NHS Salisbury Procurement Service
TBC - Currently awaiting Higher Procurement award outome from NHS Salisbury Procurement Service
Application Timescale
It takes on average 3 -4 months to complete all application stages for this programme.
If recruiting to this position, additional time will be required for recruitment and advertising stages.
Please find further instructions from the university regarding their application process: audits will be undertaken and agreements made regarding the suitability of the placement area, including supervision and assessment availability. Application process for the programme is jointly managed by the employer and University. Applicants will need to demonstrate they meet the entry requirements and will have a course interview consisting of a panel of university staff, Employer staff and users of the services. The following assessments will be undertaken during the process: written assessment and portfolio grading. Applicants successful at interview will need to provide evidence of L2 qualifications in maths and English and the ability to work at academic level HE7. In addition, for learners wanting to do the V300 prescribing module, a numeracy assessment will be undertaken. Prior to commencing the programme verification is required from the employer that the DBS and occupational health checks have been completed and references (academic and professional) have been obtained.
If recruiting for an apprenticeship position, vacancies for September intakes are usually advertised in March / April of that year, followed by interview in May to allow time for the applications to be processed by the University once the checks have been completed.
Additional Training Hub Support
Primary Care employees have access to:
- All resources provided by the L&SC PC Training Hub such as Digital training, Health and Wellbeing support and events.
- Plus, visit our GPN webpage for more information on Nursing in Primary Care, training, support and resources for qualified professionals (some training is available for trainees).
- Plus, the Non-clinical Training and Resources. This webpage lists training and resources for non-clinical roles, which may compliment the apprenticeship (always check suitability with your apprenticeship education provider).
- Clinical CPD opportunities will also be available via Locality Training Hub.
- Audit and Assessor Support: via Local GPEFs.
Pathway
Skills England has an interactive occupational maps tool which shows the variety of progression pathways using apprenticeships.
Career progression does not have to be linear. Entry criteria may differ per provider and even more varied routes may be available depending on the individuals prior learning and experience.
Information Last Updated
10/06/2025
10/06/2025
Programme Resources
If you would like to know anything further about the programme itself, please contact: Nyree Kendall, Course Lead on [email protected]
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for an apprenticeship (either for yourself, a member of staff or a vacancy position), please complete the Primary Care Expression of Interest Form. This is for Primary Care Employers within Lancashire and South Cumbria only. By completing the expression of interest form, the Training Hub Apprenticeships team will be able to complete basic pre-checks, provide you with personalised guidance, and start the programme application process for you. If you would like to discuss anything first, please email [email protected] or call Olivia, Apprenticeships Manager, on 07735161775. You can find out more about the stages of applying for an apprenticeship within our Apprenticeships Process - Employer Guide.
Social Care Employers within Lancashire and South Cumbria, please contact Dawn on [email protected]
