Senior Healthcare Support Worker (Level 3)
Senior Healthcare Support Workers (SHCSW) help registered practitioners deliver healthcare services to people. As an experienced support worker, you carry out a range of clinical and non-clinical healthcare or therapeutic tasks, under the direct or indirect supervision of the registered healthcare practitioner. You provide high quality, compassionate healthcare, following standards, policies or protocols and always acting within the limits of your competence. SHCSW work in partnership with individuals, families, carers and other service providers.
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Description
APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD FOR THIS PROGRAMME WITH THIS TRAINING PROVIDER. PLEASE STILL EXPRESS INTEREST IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING SO THAT WE CAN KEEP YOU INFORMED.
Duration
24 months
Most Suitable For
Those with clinical experience wanting to progress in to a senior care role. This programme is ideal for HCAs/HCSWs/Care Workers. Non-clinical staff with prior clinical experience may be considered on an individual basis.
Award
Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Advanced Apprenticeship award and Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
Programme Cost
£9,000.
Tuition fee financial support options, and how to apply for most of these, are detailed in our Apprenticeships Process Employer Guide. Please note the following important changes to apprenticeship tuition fee funding options, for August 2026-July 2027 intakes:
- For non-levy paying employers (most SMEs): the tuition fee will now be 100% gov funded if the candidate is aged 16-24 (or turning 16 June-August 2026). The education provider will advise employer how to secure this during programme application stage. For level 2-6 programmes if candidate is aged 25 or over, both the levy transfer (100% funds) and co-investment (95% funds) options will continue to be available for employers to apply for.
- For levy-paying employers: for all level 2-6 programmes, for both apprentices already on programme and future intakes, the co-investment option has changed to 25% employer contribution and 75% gov contribution. However, for future applications, the levy transfer option (100% funds) will continue to be available for employers to apply for.
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Additional Funding
- Employer incentives for apprenticeships starting between August 2026-July 2027 (see here for full details):
- £1,000 if apprentice is aged 16-18 (or turning 16 June-August 2026); or aged between 19-24 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.
- £2,000 for non-levy paying employers only (typically SMEs) if recruit person(s) aged 16-24 (or turning 16 June-August 2026) on to an apprenticeship programme from October 2026, as long as the employment only starts within 90 days before the intake start date.
- £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant - Employer may be able to apply for this if recruits an unemployed person(s) aged 18-24 who has been on universal credit for over 6 months. Full details are available here.
- Employer may not have to pay Class 1 Employer National Insurance if apprentice is under the age of 25. Full details are available here.
Start Date
Intakes every month
Teaching Delivery
Blended with both face-to-face (employer premises or locally sourced venue) 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: One a month 2-3 hour online masterclasses and Once a month 1-2 hour 1:1 support session with a Development Coach.
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.
Modules
For this apprenticeship you will choose to focus on one of the specific routes; Adult Nursing Support, Mental Health Support, Aquired Brain Injury Support, Maternity Support or Allied Health Profession Support (OT, Physio or S&L routes available). The Care Certificate is also available under this apprenticeship.
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 and End Point Assessment.
Key Candidate Entry Requirements
• Employed 30 hours or more per week for the duration of the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship duration may be extended to support staff who work less than this (will be looked at on individual basis)
• Preferably, evidence of English and Maths at GCSE C/4 or above /Functional Skills Level 2 / Equivalent. (If the candidate does not have evidence of Maths and English at the relevant level, there are two options; 1. via NHSE funded online revision and exams. Contact Training Hub Apprenticeship Team for more details.
2. Or, Training Provider will support the learner through the relevant learning and exams, alongside their apprenticeship. An initial diagnostic assessment will be completed by the Training Provider at application stage to determine suitability for this option)
Full requirements and details are found on the Training Providers course webpage.
Key Employer Entry Requirements
• Ensure Learner has the support and opportunities to achieve the requirements of the apprenticeship.
• A member of staff, preferably experienced SHCSW, to mentor the apprentice.
Listed as an Approved Provider under an NHS Procurement
AHP Adapted Standards Higher Procurement - 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 and it will be delivered so that the content meets the needs of the NHS England Allied Health Profession's Support Worker Competency, Education, and Career Development Framework, plus occupationally specific units from the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (in the level 3 standard) - discuss with the training provider for more details.
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.
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, The HCSW webpage highlights options and resources suitable for this role, such as phlebotomy training.
- Plus, this webpage lists non-clinical training and resources, which may compliment the apprenticeship (always check suitability with your apprenticeship education provider).
Pathway
On successful completion of this apprenticeship, examples of further apprenticeship options include; Assistant Practitioner, Nursing Associate, Nursing, AHP.
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
28/08/2025
Further Programme and Provider Information
If you would like to know anything further about the programme itself, please contact: Gareth Reichers, Director of Sales, on [email protected]
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for an apprenticeship programme - either for yourself, a member of staff, or a vacancy position - please complete our apprenticeship form. This form is for Primary Care Employers within Lancashire and South Cumbria only.
By completing the 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 about the stages of applying for an apprenticeship within our Apprenticeships Process (Employer Guide).
