Health and Social Care

The contents of this apprenticeship framework has been agreed by Social Care Wales. This is the only apprenticeship framework in the health and social care sector approved for use in Wales that is eligible for Medr funding.

ISSUE DATE: 01/05/2026 ACW Framework Number: FR05110

Learning Programme Content

The learning programme provision must include three mandatory elements:

qualifications
essential skills
on/off the job training.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway - Health and Social Care Health Sector is 77 credits

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway - Health and Social Care – Social Care (Adults) is 77 credits

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway - Health and Social Care – Health Sector is 92 credits

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway - Health and Social Care – Social Care (Adults) is 92 credits

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway - Health and Social Care – Social Care (Children and Young People) is 92 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway - Health and Social Care – Professional Practice in Health and Social Care is 62 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway - Health and Social Care –Independent Advocacy is 52 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway - Health and Social Care – Social Services Practitioner is 120 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway - Health and Social Care – Adult Placement / Shared Lives is 45 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 5 Pathway - Health and Social Care – Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care: Practice is 120 credits

Entry requirements

Level 2
There are no formal entry requirements; however, please see the annex for further guidance.

Level 3
There are no formal entry requirements; however, please see the annex for further guidance.

Level 4
There are no formal entry requirements; however, please see the annex for further guidance.

Level 5
Learners are required to complete the Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management qualification prior to undertaking this qualification. However, funding may be available to allow learners to complete this qualification while undertaking the Level 5 framework. Please see the annex for further guidance.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

1. Level 2: Health Sector

1. Level 2: Health Sector Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following Competence / Practice and Knowledge /Core qualification(s) below.

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Practice Qualification (Adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1253/4	35	350	Competence	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	30	300	Knowledge	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults and Children and Young People)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	48	480	Knowledge	English Welsh

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

1. Level 2: Health Sector	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	1	6
Application of number	1	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
1. Level 2: Health Sector	350	420

Off the job training: Training that takes place away from regular work duties. It includes any structured learning activity such as instruction, tuition, assessment, or progress reviews. Examples include private study, coaching, mentoring, e-learning, distance learning, or classroom-based sessions.

On the job training: Training during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Total Knowledge/Core qualifications are a minimum of 30 credits, and the Competency/ Practice qualifications are a minimum of 35 credits. With the required ESWs at 12 credits, this pathway has a total credit rating of 77.

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is a minimum of 770 training hours. (over 12 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

2. Level 2: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults)

2. Level 2: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults) Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following Competence / Practice and Knowledge /Core qualification(s) below.

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Practice Qualification (Adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1253/4	35	350	Competence	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	30	300	Knowledge	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults and Children and Young People)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	48	480	Knowledge	English Welsh

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

2. Level 2: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults)	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	1	6
Application of number	1	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
2. Level 2: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults)	350	420

On the job training: Training during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is a minimum of 770 training hours. (over 12 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

1.Level 3: Health and Social Care - Health Sector

1.Level 3: Health and Social Care - Health Sector Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following Competence / Practice and Knowledge /Core qualification(s) below.

Level 3 - Health and Social Care: Practice Qualification (Adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1253/6	50	500	Competence	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	30	300	Knowledge	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults and Children and Young People)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	48	480	Knowledge	English Welsh

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

1.Level 3: Health and Social Care - Health Sector	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	2	6
Application of number	2	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
1.Level 3: Health and Social Care - Health Sector	500	420

On the job training: Training that occurs during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Total Knowledge/Core qualifications are a minimum of 30 credits, and the Competency/ Practice qualifications a minimum of 50 credits. With the required ESWs at 12 credits, this pathway has a total credit rating of 92 credits.

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off the job learning for this pathway is 920 training hours (over 18 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults)

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults) Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following Competence / Practice and Knowledge /Core qualification(s) below.

Level 3 - Health and Social Care: Practice Qualification (Adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1253/6	50	500	Competence	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	30	300	Knowledge	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults and Children and Young People)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	48	480	Knowledge	English Welsh

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults)	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	2	6
Application of number	2	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults)	350	420

On the job training: Training during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is a minimum of 770 training hours. (over 12 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Children and Young People)

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Children and Young People) Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following Competence / Practice and Knowledge /Core qualification(s) below.

Level 3 - Health and Social Care: Practice Qualification (Children and Young People)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1253/5	50	500	Competence	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	30	300	Knowledge	English-Welsh

Level 2 - Health and Social Care: Core (Adults and Children and Young People)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1238/4	48	480	Knowledge	English Welsh

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Children and Young People)	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	2	6
Application of number	1	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Children and Young People)	500	420

On the job training: Training that occurs during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off the job learning for this pathway is 920 training hours (over 18 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Professional Practice in Health and Social Care

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Professional Practice in Health and Social Care Qualifications

Learners must achieve one of the following Knowledge and Competence / Practice qualification(s) below, with the additional option of Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care.

Level 4 Professional Practice in Health and Social Care (Leading support for reducing restrictive practices through positive approaches for behavior)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/3977/8	63	630	Combined	English-Welsh

Level 4 Professional Practice in Health and Social Care (Leading practice with individuals living with mental ill-health)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/3977/8	62	620	Combined	English-Welsh

Level 4 Professional Practice in Health and Social Care (Leading practice with individuals living with dementia)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/3977/8	65	650	Combined	English-Welsh

Level 4 Professional Practice in Health and Social Care (Leading practice with individuals living with a learning disability/autism)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/3977/8	65	650	Combined	English-Welsh

. Level 4 Professional Practice in Health and Social Care (Leading practice for disabled children and young people)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/3977/8	63	630	Combined	English-Welsh

Level 4 Professional Practice in Health and Social Care (Leading practice for children and young people who are looked after)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/3977/8	62	620	Combined	English-Welsh

Level 4 Professional Practice in Health and Social Care (Leading practice with families/carers)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/3977/8	65	650	Combined	English-Welsh

Level 4 Professional Practice in Health and Social Care – (Preparing for Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1260/5	60	600	Knowledge	English -Welsh

Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the Knowledge and Competence / Practice qualifications.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Professional Practice in Health and Social Care	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	2	6
Application of number	2	6
Digital literacy	2	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
Level 4: Health and Social Care - Professional Practice in Health and Social Care	340	400

On the job training: Training that occurs during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Total Knowledge and Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 62 credits with an option of 60 Knowledge credits. With the required ESQs at 12 credits, this pathway has a total minimum credit rating of 74 credits.

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off the job learning for this pathway is 740 training hours (over 24 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy Optional.

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Independent Advocacy

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Independent Advocacy Qualifications

Level 4 Independent Advocacy (Independent advocacy with adults)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/4016/5	52	520	Combined	English-Welsh

Level 4 Independent Advocacy (Independent advocacy with children and young people)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/4016/5	54	540	Combined	English-Welsh

Level 4 Independent Advocacy (Independent mental health advocacy)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/4016/5	54	540	Combined	English-Welsh

Level 4 Independent Advocacy (Independent mental capacity advocacy)
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/4016/5	58	580	Combined	English-Welsh

Please see Annex 2 for the relationship between the Knowledge and Competence / Practice qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Independent Advocacy	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	2	6
Application of number	2	6
Digital literacy	2	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
Level 4: Health and Social Care - Independent Advocacy	110	530

Off-the-job training: Training that takes place away from regular work duties. It includes any structured learning activity such as instruction, tuition, assessment, or progress reviews. Examples include private study, coaching, mentoring, e-learning, distance learning, or classroom-based sessions.

On-the-job training: Training that occurs during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Total Knowledge and Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 52 credits with an option of 60 Knowledge credits. With the required ESQs at 12 credits, this pathway has a total minimum credit rating of 64 credits

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 640 training hours (over 24 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy Optional.

Level 4 Health and Social Care – Social Services Practitioner

Level 4 Health and Social Care – Social Services Practitioner Qualifications

Level 4 Health and Social Care – Social Services Practitioner
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/4016/9	120	1200	Combined	English-Welsh

Please see Annex 3 for the relationship between the Knowledge and Competence / Practice qualifications.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Level 4 Health and Social Care – Social Services Practitioner	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	2	6
Application of number	2	6
Digital literacy	2	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
Level 4 Health and Social Care – Social Services Practitioner	580	740

On-the-job training: Training that occurs during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Total Knowledge and Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 120 credits. With the required ESQs at 12 credits, this pathway has a total minimum credit rating of 132 credits.

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 1,320 training hours (over 24 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy Optional

Level 4 Health and Social Care - Adult Placement / Shared Lives

Level 4 Health and Social Care - Adult Placement / Shared Lives Qualifications

Level 4 Health and Social Care - Adult Placement / Shared Lives
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/4016/6	45	450	Combined	English-Welsh

Please see Annex 4 for the relationship between the Knowledge and Competence / Practice qualifications.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Level 4 Health and Social Care - Adult Placement / Shared Lives	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	2	6
Application of number	2	6
Digital literacy	2	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
Level 4 Health and Social Care - Adult Placement / Shared Lives	270	300

On-the-job training: Training that occurs during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Total Knowledge and Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 45 credits. With the required ESQs at 12 credits, this pathway has a total minimum credit rating of 67credits.

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this pathway is 570 training hours (over 18 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy Optional.

Level 5: Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care: Practice

Level 5: Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care: Practice Qualifications

Learners must achieve the following Knowledge and Competence / Practice qualification(s).
Please note: The University of South Wales Level 4 Certificate Step Up to Management qualification is an industry recognised and acceptable proxy for the Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care.

Level 4 - Preparing for Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1260/5	60	600	Knowledge	English-Welsh

Level 5 - Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care: Practice
Awarding Body	Qualification No.	Credit Value	Total Qualification Time	Combined / Competence / Knowledge	Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
City & Guilds	C00/1260/7	120	1200	Competence	English-Welsh

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Level 5: Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care: Practice	Level	Minimum Credit Value
Communication	2	6
Application of number	2	6
Digital literacy	2	6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

Pathway	Minimum On the Job Training Hours	Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
Level 5: Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care: Practice	1200	720

On the job training: Training that occurs during normal work activities. Skills are developed, practiced, and applied as part of everyday tasks in the workplace.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Total Knowledge and Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 180 credits. With the required ESQs at 12 credits, this pathway has a total minimum credit rating of 192 credits.

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off the job learning for this pathway is 1,920 training hours (over 36 months).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6credits / 45 Guided Learning Hours Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy Optional.

Other additional requirements

Learners must have enhanced DBS checks and some offences may stop learners from working in these sectors.

Job roles

Visit the Social Care Wales qualification framework for specific job roles in social care. This will explain which qualifications are required for registration and recommended for practice.

Level 2 health sector

Job role

Job description

Health care support worker or

Health care assistant

These roles provide vital assistance to healthcare professionals in

diagnosing, treating and caring for patients.

Many are involved in looking after the well-being and comfort of patients. They work in a variety of settings, depending on their role, including clinics, people's homes and hospitals.

Level 2 social care sector

Job role	Job description
Domiciliary care worker	Support individuals to live in their own homes, for example older people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental ill health, people who are physically disabled, people with chronic health conditions.
Domiciliary care worker - Reablement worker	Support people (as above) to develop or regain life skills lost through disability or trauma, such as mobility, shopping, cooking.
Adult care home worker	Provide support and care to individuals within a residential care setting, for example older people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental ill health, people who are physically disabled, people with chronic health conditions.
Adult day service Assistant / officer	Provide support and care to individuals within a day care setting, for example older people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental ill health, people who are physically disabled, people with chronic health conditions.

Level 3 social care sector

Job role	Job description
Domiciliary care senior worker / supervisor or coordinator	Support individuals to live in their own homes, for example older people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental ill health, people who are physically disabled, people with chronic health conditions.
Domiciliary care reablement senior worker	Support people (as above) to develop or regain life skills lost through disability or trauma such as mobility, shopping, cooking.
Adult care home senior worker	Provide support and care to individuals within a residential care setting, for example older people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental ill health, people who are physically disabled, people with chronic health conditions.
Adult day service senior officer	Provide support and care to individuals within a day care setting, for example older people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental ill health, people who are physically disabled, people with chronic health conditions.
Residential care worker / Senior secure accommodation worker	Provide support and care to children and young people within a residential care setting.
Special school residential worker	Provide support and promote independent living through the development of appropriate social, independent, self-help and life skills.
Residential family centre worker / Deputy manager	Provide accommodation for children and their parents (or any person who is looking after the child) where: the parents’ capacity to respond to the child’s needs and to safeguard their well-being is monitored or assessed, and the parents are given such care and support as is thought to be necessary.
Children’s day service officer / Senior officer	Provide support to children and families to access a broad range of activities aimed at increasing individual well-being and social inclusion.

.Visit the Social Care Wales qualification framework to find the qualifications needed for specific job roles in social care roles. It explains which qualifications are required for registration and recommended for practice.

To explore different job roles in the health and social care sector, visit the WeCare Wales website to read real people’s stories.

Level 4 - Independent Advocacy

Job role	Job description
Adult care home senior care worker	The senior adult care home worker provides person-centred care and support for individuals that helps them to achieve positive outcomes. They will also undertake additional supervisory duties.
Adult care home deputy manager	The deputy manager supports and assists the manager of the service and will, where required, deputise for them.
Secure accommodation worker	The secure accommodation worker provides child-centred care and support for children and young people that helps them to achieve positive outcome
Residential child care worker	The residential child care worker provides child-centred care and support for children and young people that helps them to achieve positive outcomes.
Residential child care senior care worker	The residential child care senior care worker provides child-centred care and support for children and young people that helps them to achieve positive outcomes. They will also undertake additional supervisory duties.
Residential child care deputy manager	The residential child care deputy manager supports and assists the manager of the service and will, where required, deputise for them.
Adult day service assistant	An assistant will help individuals take part in activities in accordance with their care and support plan and personal well-being outcomes.
Adult day service officer	An officer will provide person-centred day service activities and support for individuals in accordance with their care and support plan and personal well-being outcomes.
Adult day service deputy manager / senior officer	These roles support the co-ordination of person-centred day service provision, including the management of buildings and staff where appropriate. Deputies assist the manager of the service in a number of the crucial management functions and will, where required, deputise for them.
Children’s day service officer	Provides person-centred day service activities and support for children and their families in accordance with their care and support plan and personal well-being outcomes.
Children’s day service deputy manager / senior officer	These roles support the coordination of person-centred day service provision, including the management of buildings and staff where appropriate. Deputies assist the manager of the service in a number of the key management functions and will, where required, deputise for them.
Domiciliary care support worker (adults and children)	Domiciliary care support workers provide person or child-centred care and support for individuals to help them achieve positive outcomes and stay independent in their homes.
Domiciliary care senior worker / supervisor (services for adults and children)	Senior domiciliary care workers provide person or child-centred support to individuals to help them achieve positive outcomes. They will also carry out supervisory duties.
Domiciliary care service coordinator (adults and children)	The domiciliary care service coordinator is responsible for coordinating domiciliary care and support workers in their day-to-day duties.
Domiciliary care deputy manager (adults and children)	The deputy domiciliary care manager supports and assists the manager, and will, where required, deputise for them.
Residential family centre support worker	The residential family centre support worker provides person-centred care and support for families.
Residential family centre deputy manager	The residential family centre deputy manager supports and assists the manager of the service and will, where required, deputise for them.
Social work support worker	Provides person-centred care and support for individuals (adults or children) to enable them to live independent lives and meet their personal well-being outcomes.
Special school residential workers	Special school residential workers support the provision of education and accommodation to children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN), Autism and co-occurring conditions, learning and physical disabilities.

Level 4 - Social Services Practitioner

Job role	Job description
Social services practitioner	Working in partnership with other professionals and agencies to promote person-centred outcomes for individuals with care and support needs and within communities. It will include some responsibilities for formal care and support planning and assessment.

Level 4 - Adult Placement / Shared Lives

Job role	Job description
Adult placement / shared lives deputy / assistant manager	The adult placement/shared lives deputy manager supports and assists the manager of the service and will, where required, deputise for them.
Adult placement / shared lives coordinator	The adult placement/shared lives coordinator is responsible for the assessment, monitoring and supervision of adult placement/shared lives carers.

Level 5 – Leadership and management

Job role	Job description
Domiciliary care manager (adults or children and young people)	The manager sets the operational direction and organises the effective running of the service provision to meet the setting’s statement of purpose.
Residential child care manager	The residential child care manager will set the operational direction and organise the effective running of the service provision to meet the setting’s statement of purpose.
Residential family centre manager	The residential family centre manager will set the operational direction and organise the effective running of the service provision to meet the setting’s statement of purpose.
Special school residential manager	The residential special school manager will set the operational direction and organise the effective running of the service provision to meet the setting’s statement of purpose.
Secure accommodation manager	The secure accommodation manager will set the operational direction and organise the effective running of the service provision to meet the setting’s statement of purpose.
Adult care home manager	The manager will set the operational direction and organise the effective running of the service provision to meet the setting’s statement of purpose.
Adult day services manager	The manager will set the operational direction and organise the effective running of the service provision to meet overall service needs.
Children’s day services manager	The manager will set the operational direction and organise the effective running of the service provision to meet overall service needs.
Advocacy services manager (adults or children and young people)	The advocacy services manager will be responsible for the operational direction and the effective running of the independent advocacy provision to meet the statement of purpose.
Adult placement / shared lives deputy / assistant manager	The adult placement/shared lives deputy manager supports and assists the manager of the service and will, where required, deputise for them.
Adult placement / shared lives manager	The adult placement/shared lives manager will set the operational direction and organise the effective running of the service provision to meet the setting’s statement of purpose.

Progression

Level 2

Progression into the level 2 apprenticeship

Learners will come from a wide range of backgrounds including:

schools and colleges
work
work experience
unemployment (possibly through pre-employment courses)
training or experience in the sector
following redundancy
vocationally related knowledge qualifications from the sector (especially Level 1 and 2 qualifications)
Welsh Baccalaureate (PLL) Society, Health and Development. Pre-16 learners take WJEC National/Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate
Basic or Key Skills/Essential Skills Wales.

Progression from the level 2 apprenticeship

Progression within the health and social care sector gives a wide range of opportunities for apprentices to take on new roles and responsibilities. Progression should also not just be seen as vertical. In some instances, progressing into another role at the same level may be just as rewarding as it offers the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge. This may involve specialising in working with a particular group of people, for example supporting people with learning difficulties or dementia, or working in a particular setting such as supporting people at home.

Progression to a Level 3 apprenticeship in health and social care (for those apprentices where job opportunities are available)

Please note apprenticeships in health and social care are not designed to follow level progressions but are related to job roles and function. Learners can’t progress unless they take on a new role and new responsibilities. Learners must be undertaking Level 3 tasks within their job role to be able to complete the Level 3 apprenticeship. This is required to demonstrate occupational competence.

Progression to some other job roles with the appropriate qualifications or experience could be.

Senior worker / Senior care officer / Supervisor (at Level 3 with increased responsibilities, expertise and autonomy)
Adult or Children’s day service senior officer
Deputy manager
Healthcare support worker
Maternity support worker
Physiotherapy support worker
Occupational therapy support worker
Dietetic support worker
Speech and language support worker.

This list isn’t exhaustive, and job titles may vary by employer.

Level 3

Progression into the level 3 apprenticeship

Apprentices will come from a wide range of backgrounds, including:

schools and colleges
work
work experience
unemployment (possibly through pre-employment courses or Skill Build)
training or experience in the sector
following redundancy
vocationally related knowledge qualifications from the sector (especially Level 1 and 2 qualifications)
Welsh Baccalaureate (PLL) Society Health and Development. Post-16 learners (studying at L3) take WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
Basic or Key Skills/Essential Skills Wales/New ESW
Foundation apprenticeships.

Achievement at Level 3 reflects the ability to identify and use relevant understanding, methods and skills to complete tasks and address problems that, while well defined, have a measure of complexity. It includes taking responsibility for initiating and completing tasks and procedures as well as exercising autonomy and judgement within limited parameters. It also reflects awareness of different perspectives or approaches within an area of study or work.

Progression from the level 3 apprenticeship

Progression within the health and social care sector gives learners a wide range of opportunities to take on new roles and responsibilities. Progression from this pathway may lead to further qualifications specific to work context and to management opportunities through the Level 4 Professional Practice pathway (where the Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management can be taken as an optional additional qualification), and Level 5 Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care: Practice.

Progression to higher education (HE) for Level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications can be an option, using apprenticeship qualifications towards entry requirements.

Progression should also not just be seen as vertical, as stated in the Level 2 progression section. In some instances, progressing into another role at the same level may be just as rewarding as it offers the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.

To become a registered in a different sector, for example as a nurse, allied health practitioner, healthcare scientist, teacher or social worker, learners will progress from their apprenticeship to undertake specific higher education qualifications - often a three-year university degree. But learners will have to meet the specific entry requirements of their chosen provider.

Many health and social care learners complete their apprenticeship and continue to work as care workers or move on to supervise other team members in senior positions.

The social care sector in Wales is also seeing the emergence of new roles to meet the social care and health care needs of the population in Wales, for example social service practitioner and information advice and assistance worker. These roles can offer further career progression opportunities, with some employers providing work-based learning opportunities through the Open University Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care Practice or the City & Guilds Social Services Practitioner Level 4.

Health and social care learners can move across both sectors as the content of induction frameworks is aligned to both sectors and to the Core, Practice and Leadership and Management qualifications.

There’s information about progression into Level 4 and 5 apprenticeships further on in this framework document.

Progression into the apprenticeship

The pathway has been developed to provide scope and breadth for those in and moving into leadership and management roles in the sector.

As a guide, learners may enter from a range of routes including:

Apprenticeships (Level 2 or 3) and the Level 4 Professional Practice Pathways
through other qualifications, for example in management
work experience
unemployment, but with previous related experience in health and social care
NVQ/QCF Diplomas at Levels 2, 3 and 4 or knowledge qualifications relevant to health and social care (e.g. from colleges or universities)
Social work qualifications and nursing qualifications.

Progression from the apprenticeship

Please note, apprenticeships in health and social care aren’t designed to follow level progressions but are related to job roles and function. Learners can’t progress unless they take on a new role and new responsibilities. Learners must be undertaking tasks within their job role to be able to complete the appropriate level apprenticeship. This is required to demonstrate occupational competence.

Progression to higher education for Level 4, 5, and 6 qualifications can be an option, it may be possible to use apprenticeship qualifications towards entry requirements.

Learners can also move to other parts of the sector, for example from adult care to children’s services or into the health sector, completing additional sector and job-relevant development and qualifications as appropriate.

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory, but it’s recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 to18 years group) receive a company induction programme.

The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 Statutory Guidance for service providers and Responsible Individuals on meeting service standard regulations for:

care home services
domiciliary support services
secure accommodation and
residential family centre services

gives guidance that social care workers complete the relevant induction programme required by Social Care Wales within the defined timescale, alongside any service-specific induction programmes.

Responsibilities

It’s the responsibility of the training provider and employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

You can get more information from: Medr.

Relationship between Kowledge and Competence qualifications

This qualification provides knowledge for learners to achieve the Competence / Professional Practice qualification in Health and Social Care.

Knowledge credits are a minimum of 28 credits, and the Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 34 credits. With the required ESWs at 12 credits, this pathway has a minimum total credit rating of 74, depending on which pathway is chosen.

Also, if the Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management qualification is chosen, the total Knowledge credits are 88 credits and Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 34 credits. With the required ESWs at 12 credits, this pathway has a minimum total credit rating of 134, depending on which pathway is chosen.

The content covers:

Mandatory for all Professional Practice pathways:

Legislation, theories and models of person/child-centred practice
Professional practice.

Mandatory for chosen Professional Practice pathway:

Leading support for reducing restrictive practices through positive approaches for behaviour
Leading practice with individuals living with mental ill-health
Leading practice with individuals living with dementia
Leading practice with individuals living with a learning disability/autism
Leading practice for disabled children and young people
Leading practice for children and young people who are looked after
Leading practice with families and carers.

Mandatory for chosen Preparing for Leadership and Management pathway:

Legislation, theories and models of person/child-centred practice
Theoretical frameworks for leadership and management in health and social care
Leadership and management of effective team performance in health and social care services.

Relationship between knowledge and competence qualifications

This qualification provides knowledge for learners to achieve Competence / Practice in Independent Advocacy.

Knowledge credits are a minimum of 41 credits, and the Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 11 credits. With the required ESWs at 12 credits, this pathway has a minimum total credit rating of 64, depending on which pathway is chosen.

Also, if the Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management qualification is chosen, the total Knowledge credits are 101 credits and the Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 11 credits. With the required ESWs at 12 credits, this pathway has a minimum total credit rating of 124, depending on which pathway is chosen.

The content covers:

Mandatory for all Independent Advocacy pathways:

Providing independent advocacy – principles and practice
Understanding legislation in the context of independent advocacy.

Optional pathways:

Independent advocacy with adults
Independent advocacy with children and young people
Independent mental health advocacy
Independent mental capacity advocacy.

Mandatory for the Preparing for Leadership and Management pathway:

Legislation, theories and models of person/child-centred practice
Theoretical frameworks for leadership and management in health and social care
Leadership and management of effective team performance in health and social care services.

Relationship between knowledge and competence qualifications

This qualification provides knowledge for learners to achieve Competence / Practice in the Social Services Practitioner role.

Knowledge credits are a minimum of 62 credits, and the Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 58 credits. With the required ESWs at 12 credits, this pathway has a minimum total credit rating of 132.

The content covers:

Mandatory

Understanding legislation in the context of the social services practitioner role
Professional practice
Understanding theories and models and their relationship to person/child centred practice and rights-based approaches
Understanding factors that contribute to individuals and/or carers needing care and support
Support the assessment and care and support planning process

Safeguarding individuals

Relationship between knowledge and competence qualifications

This qualification provides knowledge for learners to achieve Competence / Practice in a role that supports shared lives placements/arrangements and Adult Placement/Shared Lives Carers.

Knowledge credits are a minimum of 18 credits, and the Competency / Practice credits are a minimum of 27 credits. With the required ESWs at 12 credits, this pathway has a minimum total credit rating of 57.

The content covers:

Mandatory:

Provide support for Adult Placement/Shared Lives carers.

Optional pathways:

Develop understanding of dementia
Develop understanding of learning disability and autism
Develop understanding of mental ill-health.

Annex 5 - Framework Guidance

This framework provides the only apprenticeship for people employed in delivering adult social care and social care to children, young people and their families in Wales. It may also be suitable for some workers in the health sector who aren’t working in highly specialist or clinical areas. It provides opportunities for staff to qualify within the health and social care sectors to carry out jobs such as:

care assistant
social care worker
residential care worker
health care assistant
health care support worker.

People working in health or social care can move between sectors, by using appropriate continuing and additional professional development relevant to their new role.

Purpose of the framework

Rationale

This framework provides the ‘gold standard’ of initial training for learners working in joint health and social care jobs, or within social care. Learners working in a health setting may do this framework, but they may need to follow one of the more specialist clinical health pathways. This framework is designed to develop knowledge and skills and confirm the occupational competence of workers and managers. This framework includes higher apprenticeships.

Social care

A strong social care system in Wales means we’re able to reduce the impact of disadvantage through poverty, neglect, illness or disability. These disadvantages often lead to health inequalities and poorer prospects for children to reach their potential, or for adults to achieve a fulfilled life.

The vision for social care is clear. The joint health and social care workforce strategy, ‘A Healthier Wales’, provides a vision for a whole system approach where the focus is on the well-being of the people of Wales, with a strong voice and control over the care and support they receive. That vision builds on the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which guides public services for the years ahead, alongside the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, to modernise the regulation and improvement arrangements, focusing on regulation as a means for improvement. It’s important that as a sector we demonstrate our values in the way we work with the principles set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the values of One Welsh Public Service.

Social care workers play a vital role in caring for adults, children, young people, their families and carers in our diverse communities. They are supporting people to develop, remain active and independent, stay safe and well connected to their community and wider networks; usually working alongside family, friends, volunteers and other public services.

Social care employs around 88,000 people in Wales (Social Care Workforce Report 2023) and the workforce is becoming increasingly diverse. The social care sector also provides a critical contribution to life in Wales. Skills for Care and Development commissioned Alma Economics to write a series of reports analysing the adult social care sector’s economic and social value in the UK and in each of the four nations using data from 2022 to 2023. The Wales report found the total direct, indirect and induced value of the adult social care sector in Wales was £4.6 billion. The socioeconomic benefits of the adult social care sector in Wales were £22.6 billion in 2023, while the costs were £8.1 billion. This means that for every £1 spent on adult social care in Wales, there was £2.78 worth of socioeconomic benefits. This suggests the benefits of adult social care to society and the economy in Wales greatly outweigh the costs of providing care.

The social care workforce is one of the largest in the economy of Wales. It’s made up of a wide range of small, medium and large organisations directly providing work for many, and enabling others to pursue education or work opportunities, while their loved ones are supported.

This framework provides a broad-based background to a wide variety of workers with a range of job titles, all carrying out similar generic roles and in some cases more specialised tasks or activities. The framework provides the qualifications required for full registration with Social Care Wales (for workers and managers who need to register). Apprenticeships are available to workers in line with the eligibility criteria in the Apprenticeship Commissioning Programme Wales Framework. There’s still a need to increase the numbers of Welsh speaking workers to improve access to services for individuals whose first or preferred language is Welsh. This is in support of ‘More than just words’, Welsh Government’s strategy to make sure people using health and social care services can be offered them in Welsh if they wish, and the goal of having one million Welsh Speakers by 2050. It’s also suitable for existing workers, offering opportunities for training and development in new or different roles or across the health and social care sectors.

Social care

Most social care workers are employed at Level 2, supporting individuals and families across the range of needs outlined below. Level 3 workers work more autonomously, or are in more demanding situations, and provide support or supervision to other workers.

These workers’ roles and tasks are complex but are defined within the functional analysis that underpins the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Health and Social Care workers as follows:

work directly with people who have a range of needs, to encourage and promote their well-being and potential by contributing to assessment, care provision, supporting carers, families and groups, building relationships using strengths-based practice and actively promoting anti-discrimination
identify and work with potential and actual risks and safeguard people as far as possible from danger, harm and abuse
work collaboratively with people inside and outside their own organisation to plan and implement an integrated and effective service
carry out organisational activities that support, deliver and manage health and social care services
review and develop their own competence and take responsibility for promoting best practice.

As well as the above, Level 3 workers may also:

carry out a range of delegated clinical/specialist tasks
undertake more complex roles in relation to areas such as changing behaviours, encouraging insight and independence
be aware of key policies and protocols and understand how these affect service development and delivery
apply a range of problem-solving techniques
supervise other team members.

This framework seeks to support government and employers in the sector, to achieve these aims:

Pathway Level 2

Workers working toward the Level 2 pathway play a vital role in supporting adults across various care settings, including residential, domiciliary, and day services. Their responsibilities include delivering person-centred care, promoting independence, and maintaining dignity and respect. Workers will contribute to or create individual personal care plans to show how they support the health and well-being of individuals.

Pathway Level 3

The Level 3 Apprenticeship is intended for workers who take greater responsibility. These practitioners work independently, using their initiative to lead, plan, and organise activities that promote person-centred approaches, rights-based approaches, active participation, physical health and well-being, mental health and well-being, communication and personal, social, emotional and behavioural support for either vulnerable children and young people or adults. They contribute to safeguarding, multi-agency working, and reflective practice, while supporting individuals through transitions, promoting inclusion, and responding to complex needs with empathy and professionalism.

Depending on their role and responsibilities, some learners may progress directly onto the Level 3 pathway if they are able to carry out the tasks required to meet the chosen units.

Pathway Level 4

The Level 4 Apprenticeship is a natural progression for experienced workers who want to advance their careers by leading and specialising in their practice. This pathway offers seven routes:

Leading support for reducing restrictive practices through positive approaches for behaviour
Leading practice with individuals living with mental ill-health
Leading practice with individuals living with dementia
Leading practice with individuals living with a learning disability/autism
Leading practice for disabled children and young people
Leading practice for children and young people who are looked after

Leading practice with families and carers.

Learners will develop and apply specialist knowledge, skills, and understanding within their chosen route. They will use relevant theories and approaches to inform reflective and independent practice, applying critical thinking and self-awareness to improve outcomes within their service. Literacy, numeracy, and digital skills will be appropriately embedded in their role.

Through leadership, learners will plan and evaluate a change in practice and compile a portfolio of evidence.

This pathway also provides a strong foundation for those aiming to move into leadership or management roles, giving them the skills and confidence needed for future responsibilities.

Learners may choose to complete the Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care qualification as part of their apprenticeship.

Typically, learners undertaking this pathway will already hold a recognised Level 3 qualification. The specific roles they may hold are outlined later in the Framework: Job roles section.

Pathway Level 5

The Level 5 Apprenticeship is designed for experienced practitioners in leadership or management roles within health and social care settings.

Learners must also complete the Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care qualification before progressing to Level 5. This can be completed as part of the apprenticeship pathway.

This qualification enables learners to apply leadership and management theories in real-world settings, using critical thinking and data to drive person-centred service improvements.

Learners demonstrate their leadership capabilities through a workplace-based business project, a portfolio of evidence, and a professional discussion. They show how they lead teams, make informed decisions, and communicate effectively, while also applying relevant numeracy and digital skills to support performance and development within their setting.

To undertake this pathway, learners must already hold a recognised Level 3 qualification, meet the National Standards, and be actively engaged in leadership or management activities to provide the necessary evidence for the practice qualification.

Visit the Social Care Wales Qualification Framework for specific job roles in health and social care. This will explain which qualifications are needed for practice.

The health sector

In the health sector, this framework is suitable for healthcare assistants and health care support workers. People in more specialist or clinical roles such as pharmacy, pathology, decontamination, and operating theatre practice should complete the relevant specialist health care apprenticeship and not this one.

The health sector is large, employing some 2.2 million people across the UK, with 120,000 people working in Wales. People are employed in NHS Wales’s Health Boards and Trusts and by a significant number of independent and voluntary sector providers. The health sector’s main purpose is to bring about the highest level of physical and mental health for all citizens. It does this by:

promoting health, well-being and preventing ill health
diagnosing and treating injury and disease
providing care and support for those with a long-term illness or disability who need the health services of the NHS.

NHS Wales is made up of many separate organisations. Employees can work in primary, secondary or community care environments.

Secondary environments include hospitals, NHS walk-in centres, ambulance services and pharmacies. Primary and community environments include:

community health services
GP practices
dental services
community pharmacies
opticians.

Secondary environments include:

hospitals
NHS walk-in centres
ambulance services
pharmacies.

Many local services are managed and provided by Local Health Boards and Trusts in Wales. These organisations are also responsible for planning and commissioning services for their local populations. Many health services provided in the public sector are also provided within private healthcare settings. You can find NHS Wales careers here: NHS Wales Careers.

Health care support workers and health care assistants do the same range of tasks outlined above. They may have some delegated responsibility for tasks that allow the registrant staff (doctors, nurses, and allied professions) to fulfil their own roles more effectively.

Equality and diversity

The Welsh Government is committed to a more equal Wales, through the Well-being of Future Generations Act. The Welsh Government also “believes that every person should be treated fairly, and we are working towards a more equal Wales, a country which ensures equity of access to services, tackles inequality and discrimination and seeks fairer outcomes for all our citizens, both current and future generations.” (Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip: Strategic Equality and Human Rights Plan 2025 to 2029).

Apprenticeship pathways should be inclusive and show an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should promote equal opportunities for everyone, including people with protected characteristics as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are:

age
disability
gender re-assignment
race
religion or belief
sex
sexual orientation
pregnancy and maternity.

Marriage and civil partnership is also included, but only to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers must also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make sure learners aren’t discriminated against when entering an industry, based on the nine protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments can be considered in line with qualification requirements.

Traditionally, health and social care work has been provided by women. Previous recruitment campaigns have focused on attracting more men, young people and international workers into the profession to make sure care can be offered to meet individuals’ needs and wishes.

Also, as traditional heavy industry jobs are lost in Wales more men are looking for work in the service industries, and care and health are two of the largest employers in Wales.

Sector bodies continue to raise awareness of the need to promote equality and anti-discriminatory practice to employers, training providers and learners, to encourage local recruitment to reflect the community. Apprenticeship completion data provides an insight into how apprenticeships reflect equality and access to apprenticeships across Wales.

Welsh language

Our research shows that we need more Welsh speakers in care. This is essential to meet the Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 target of a million Welsh speakers, but also to promote equity and inclusion in line with the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.

Improving access to services in Welsh means that individuals and their families who speak Welsh aren’t disadvantaged. Language inclusion is a key aspect of anti-racist practice, because it supports cultural identity and removes barriers that may exclude non-English speakers.

In Wales, apprenticeships can be completed in Welsh or bilingually. This helps create a more diverse and representative workforce and is in line with Action Plan’s commitment to equitable opportunities and inclusive learning environments.

Responsible sector bodies also have materials to promote and engage learners and employers. They have created bilingual materials promoting a diverse workforce.These include:

They support Welsh language development and also contribute to the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan by promoting inclusive, culturally responsive practice and equitable access to learning and services.

Additional learning needs (ALN)

Learning providers must identify and support apprentices with ALN from the start This includes carrying out initial assessments to find out if there are barriers to learning and making sure the right support is in place. These plans must be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the learner’s progress and changing needs.

The framework puts ALN support as a key part of delivering quality apprenticeships. Providers must be proactive to make sure apprentices with ALN are retained and succeed. This includes promoting equality and diversity, complying with disability discrimination legislation, and giving all learners equitable access to learning opportunities. Providers should work with employers, support agencies, and other stakeholders to give tailored support that meets individual learner needs, including putting reasonable adjustments in place.

The framework puts ALN support as a key component of delivering quality apprenticeships, Providers must be proactively identify needs, implement support strategies, and monitor outcomes so that all learners can succeed. Further information about ALN support can be found in the Apprenticeship Commissioning Programme Wales Framework.

Well-being and resilience: rpomoting compassionate leadership

The well-being and resilience of learners working towards the Health and Social Care Framework is essential to sustaining high-quality care and support services. Leaders play an important role in compassionate leadership, which involves actively listening, showing empathy, and creating psychologically safe environments where workers feel valued and understood. By embedding reflective practice, encouraging peer support, and prioritising mental health, leaders can build resilient teams that thrive even in challenging circumstances. This approach not only supports individual care workers but also strengthens the overall ethos of care within health and social care settings.

Support from employers

Both the health and social care sectors welcome learners’ contribution to training and development. Learners make up a significant section of the workforce, and there were around 8,665 apprenticeship starts in the year 2023 to 2024 in Wales.

Since the last major review of qualifications in 2010, there have been significant changes to the social care sector. These changes include new legislation that seeks to transform the landscape and services of health and social care across Wales. The publication of ‘A Healthier Wales’, the workforce strategy for health and social care, brings the promise of greater integration across the sectors. At all levels there are increasing qualification requirements for the social care workforce, for regulation or registration with Social Care Wales. The framework reflects those requirements.

Following an apprenticeship programme produces a competent worker/manager who can become a registered professional. Both the health and social care sectors recognise the importance of accredited qualifications that meet the workforce’s regulatory needs. Social Care Wales’s Qualification Framework sets out the required and recommended qualifications for registration and practice. Employers have been closely involved in the development of the qualifications within the framework and we continue to work with employers, through focus groups, to review and update it.

The framework supports the professional development of people already working within the industry. It also meets the professional qualifications and requirements needed to support practitioners’ journey towards leadership and management within social care settings. It allows Level 2 and 3 workers to extend their knowledge and competence to carry out more complex activities in work with individuals. It introduces the leadership role at Level 4 with the opportunity for sector specific management development at Level 5. While not all workers are currently required to register with Social Care Wales, the pathways within this framework allow them to register as a social care worker or manager.

You can find manager workshops and development opportunities signposted through the Social Care Wales website events page, to support leadership and continuous professional development across the sector.

Annex 6 Further Guidance for Learning Providers

We believe learning providers are working towards the optimum apprenticeship achievement levels within the sector. But, during the Qualifications Wales review of the sector’s qualifications and learning system, published in 2016, there were concerns around quality and consistency. Qualifications Wales used its powers under the Qualifications Wales Act 2015 to restrict the awarding bodies who can deliver the suite of qualifications for the sector. Following a procurement process a consortium made up of City & Guilds and WJEC (The Consortium) was appointed as the only provider for a five-year period. Since 2017, Qualifications Wales, The Consortium, Social Care Wales and Health Education and Improvement Wales have been working together with the sector to develop qualifications that meet the changing needs and expectations across health and social care in Wales.

The restriction on qualifications in the suite ended on 31 August 2025. WJEC and City & Guilds have confirmed they will continue to offer these qualifications. The end of the restriction means other awarding bodies may submit qualifications for approval against published approval criteria. They must ensure that the qualifications are fully bilingual, and engage with Social Care Wales to seek inclusion on the Qualification Framework.

Learning providers have been actively involved in the development of this framework and will continue to be involved in future reviews.

Aims and objectives of this framework (Wales)

The aims of the framework are to:

contribute towards getting and maintaining a skilled and competent workforce in the health and social care sectors in Wales, that can deliver services flexibly, effectively and to a high standard.
provide an apprenticeship programme for:
- social care workers and managers working in adult care and the social care of children and young people
- health care support workers (other than those offering clinical health care support)
- the growing number of joint health and social care workers.
contribute towards recruiting workers and managers with diverse backgrounds and cultures, including younger people, men, Welsh speakers and international workers, although it’s clearly the role of the employer to make choices about the staff they employ.

Learners will gain broad-based training in their occupational area, work experience that leads to competency in the workplace, transferable skills to support future learning and development, and progression to specialist and leadership and management roles.

Employers, regulators and learning providers have endorsed the training since it’s based on the National Occupational Standards. It’s hoped that the programme will lead to better retention of and an increasingly qualified workforce. There are around 2,500 certified learners using this framework in Wales each year. Given the need to recruit and retain more workers, and the priority sector status given to it by Welsh Government, it’s likely this number will rise in coming years.

Objectives

1. Enable employers to recruit and train new workers to meet the changing needs of services, such as the growth in ageing population and home care services.

2. Support the development of joint health and social care workers being recruited across Wales.

3. Enable employers to support the training of existing workers to meet regulatory requirements, improving the retention of workers and managers.

4. Assist with the recruitment of a more diverse workforce that reflects the community.

Annex 7 Further Guidance for Entry Requirements

Employers from the health and social care sectors using this framework offer a broad range of skills training through the individual pathways, and welcome learners from a wide range of diverse backgrounds, anticipating they will have a wide range of experience, achievements and qualifications.

Learners for this pathway must be interested in and commitment to working with adults, children and young people, and be suitable to do so. It’s anticipated that learners will have a variety of previous experiences and opportunities.

Learners don’t need specific qualifications to enter these pathways, they must be ready to undertake responsibilities aligned with the level of the apprenticeship. Potential learners must have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, as job roles covered by this framework involve working with adults and children at risk. Workers in these sectors also need a range of characteristics and personal attributes, and employers are increasingly using values-based recruitment.

Employers in health and social care carry out DBS checks, and certain offences may disqualify potential learners from employment, automatically preventing them from enrolment onto or completing the framework. Potential learners should discuss any relevant matters with their employer before enrolment. This is a requirement of safeguarding regulations.

Employers’ selection process, in partnership with learning providers, may include initial assessment where learners will be asked if they have any qualifications or experience that can be accredited against the requirements of the apprenticeship.

Employers and learning providers are interested in learners who:

are keen and motivated to work in a health and/or social care environment
are willing to do training both on the job and off the job and apply this learning in the workplace
have previous work experience or employment in the sector
have a Welsh Baccalaureate. Pre-16 learners take WJEC National/Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate; Post-16 learners (studying at L3) take WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
have GCSEs, Key Skills or Essential Skills or equivalent qualifications, in Welsh, English and maths
have completed or are willing to complete tests in basic numeracy and communication skills to reach a minimum of Level 1. If a learner doesn’t hold the above qualifications before starting their learning, the apprenticeship provides the opportunity to attain the relevant Essential Skills qualifications. The apprenticeship can only be fully achieved if these are completed alongside the vocational qualifications.
To help learners to develop their communication and application of number skills in a way that reflects real-life work scenarios, we recommend using the Social Care Wales e-learning modules. They have been specifically designed to reflect the kinds of situations learners may face in health and social care settings. They match the learning outcomes required for Essential Skills Wales qualifications and give a practical approach to skill development. These modules allow learners to build confidence and competence in essential skills through relevant, sector-specific examples that support their understanding, application in practice, and preparation for assessment
have international qualifications in English and maths that have been deemed equivalent by the UK National Information Centre (UK ENIC). An ENIC statement of comparability will need to be submitted as evidence alongside the qualification certificates when claiming an apprenticeship framework certificate.

There are resources available to employers for recruitment such as:

A Question of Care, an interactive video to see what working in care is like
Introduction to Social Care Training, which can be recognised by employers
WeCare Wales Career Cards, a tool providing information about different roles in health and social care
The WeCare Wales website, which hosts lots of apprenticeship resources.

There will also be an interview to make sure learners have selected the right occupational sector and are motivated to become an apprentice, as an apprenticeship is a major commitment for both the individual and employer.

Learners who have completed the Welsh Baccalaureate or other full-time college courses may have completed units or courses, such as the Level 2 Core qualification, which will provide credit or knowledge towards the Foundation Apprenticeship or Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care.

There are processes to make sure learners with prior knowledge, qualifications and experience aren’t disadvantaged by having to repeat learning. Training providers/colleges and awarding bodies will be able to advise about the current rules for accrediting prior learning and recognising prior experience. There are relaxations or proxies for transferable skills qualifications (Communication and Application of Number) and these details can be found on the Apprenticeship Certification Wales (ACW) website.

A current driving license may be an advantage and may be required for some roles, especially in rural locations.

Practice qualifications within this framework need evidence collected from work activities. To complete the qualification, people working towards Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 must be undertaking tasks that meet the level descriptors for their role.

What to consider at entry

Many employers will look for desirable skills and attributes in potential learners. These could include:

putting adults, children, young people and carers rights and views at the centre of all practice
valuing and celebrating individuality, difference and diversity
actively promoting equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice
motivation to work and succeed within the sector/s
good interpersonal skills, effective verbal and physical communication skills.
respecting individual people who use the services
actively promoting health and well-being
respecting confidentiality and agreements about confidential information, unless safety and well-being are at risk
willingness to undertake training and learning programmes and applying that learning in the workplace
ability to demonstrate the potential to complete the relevant health and social care vocational qualifications and other requirements that are part of the apprenticeship programme. This means both the knowledge and competence qualifications at each apprenticeship level
willingness and ability to work a range of shift patterns since the services are offered every day of the year and 24 hours a day
an ability to work in small informal teams, demonstrating listening skills and contributing towards decision making and professional practice
a standard of communication and numeracy in keeping with the demands of the job.

There are also a range of characteristics and personal attributes required for all workers in these sectors, and employers are increasingly using values-based recruitment. There are different resources available to employers for recruitment such as:

The WeCare Wales website hosts lots of apprenticeship resources
Introduction to social care training course can be recognised by employers
WeCare Wales Career Cards is a tool which provides information about different roles in health and social care
A Question of Care is an interactive video to see what working in care is like

The Professional Pathway for Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care Services is suitable primarily for learners who have experience in the sector.

They must be in a management or team leader/supervisory position currently. They could perhaps be an assistant manager or senior care worker seeking to improve their progression opportunities and assist with the succession planning for managers within their workplace. They may wish to move from one service area to another, for example from working with adults to working with children and young people. The current post will determine the pathway to be completed.

Some employers may see this as an opportunity to develop their own future managers and offer ‘acting up’ positions for their staff who can be given additional responsibilities to complete the requirements of the qualifications.

Achievement at Level 4 and 5 reflects the ability to identify and use relevant understanding, methods and skills to address broadly-defined, complex problems. It includes taking responsibility for planning and developing courses of action as well as exercising autonomy and judgement within broad parameters. It also reflects understanding of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the reasoning behind them. Learners will need to be prepared for study at this level before starting the apprenticeship.

Learners will need to be in a position that provides real life work opportunities that meet these criteria.

Learners should ideally:

have completed the Health and Social Care Apprenticeship Pathway at Level 2 or 3 (including the Core and Practice qualifications)

or have,

the NVQ Level 2, 3 or 4 in Health and Social Care

or,

the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care.

They should now be acting as advanced practitioners, supervisors, deputy managers or managers. Learners who haven’t completed these qualifications must have significant previous experience of working in supervisory or management positions in the sector.

The job roles covered by this pathway involve working with vulnerable adults and children, so workers must have a clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (described in the entry requirements section for the Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships). Workers in these sectors also need a range of characteristics and personal attributes.

Some of the posts are required to register with Social Care Wales, so social care managers will either hold or be working towards qualifications within these pathways.

There’s information about the required qualifications linked to registration here: Qualification framework for social care and regulated childcare in Wales | Social Care Wales. Check with the Social Care Wales registration team for clarification on the relevant qualification before enrolment on an apprenticeship programme.

An initial assessment of each learner should be made before the start of their programme to identify:

if the learner has any specific training needs
what support and guidance they may need when working towards their qualification
the appropriate type and level of qualification.

It’s highly likely that learners will be asked to undertake (or will already have completed at interview) a variety of tests which will include communication skills in Welsh or English and application of number. These aren’t meant as a barrier to entry, but to understand the ability of the learner to achieve the programme, and to help tailor the individual learning plan to meet their needs and those of the employer. Learners will be supported to develop communication and application of number skills appropriate to the function of their role, if they don’t already hold the relevant qualifications.

There are processes to make sure learners with relevant prior knowledge, qualifications and/or experience aren’t disadvantaged by having to repeat learning. Training providers, awarding organisations, and colleges will be able to advise about the current rules for accrediting prior learning and recognising previous experience. This may be particularly relevant if the learner is changing service areas, such as from child care to adult care. Since learners will already be working in the sector or will have recently worked in the sector, they can apply to have their experience formally recognised by an awarding body and this will count towards the qualifications in this pathway.

the WeCare Wales website hosts lots of apprenticeship resources
the Introduction to social care training course can be recognised by employers
WeCare Wales Career Cards are a tool that provides information about different roles in health and social care
A Question of Care is an interactive video to see what working in care is like.

Document revisions

24 November 2021

Learning Programme Content

Entry requirements

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

1. Level 2: Health Sector

1. Level 2: Health Sector Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

2. Level 2: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults)

2. Level 2: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults) Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

1.Level 3: Health and Social Care - Health Sector

1.Level 3: Health and Social Care - Health Sector Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults)

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Adults) Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Children and Young People)

Level 3: Health and Social Care - Social Care (Children and Young People) Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Professional Practice in Health and Social Care

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Professional Practice in Health and Social Care Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Independent Advocacy

Level 4: Health and Social Care - Independent Advocacy Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Level 4 Health and Social Care – Social Services Practitioner

Level 4 Health and Social Care – Social Services Practitioner Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Level 4 Health and Social Care - Adult Placement / Shared Lives

Level 4 Health and Social Care - Adult Placement / Shared Lives Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Level 5: Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care: Practice

Level 5: Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care: Practice Qualifications

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Other additional requirements

Job roles

Progression

Equality and diversity

Employment responsibilities and rights

Responsibilities

Annex 1 Level 4 - Health and Social Care - Professional Practice in Health and Social Care

Annex 2 Level 4 - Health and Social Care - Independent Advocacy

Annex 3 Level 4 - Health and Social Care - Social Services Practitioner

Annex 4 Level 4 - Health and Social Care - Adult Placement / Shared Lives

Annex 5 - Framework Guidance

Purpose of the framework

Social care

Equality and diversity

Annex 6 Further Guidance for Learning Providers

Annex 7 Further Guidance for Entry Requirements

Document revisions