Clinical Healthcare Support

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway Clinical Healthcare Support is 60 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway Clinical Healthcare Support  is 60 credits.

Entry requirements

Apprentices should:

• Typically, be aged 18 years or older
• Demonstrate previous learning in a related discipline or equivalent experience
• Have achieved a qualification in a relevant area or equivalent experience

• Adhere to the standards of GSP which sets out the standards of behaviour, practice and personal conduct that underpin the delivery of HCS appropriate to the role or work undertaken
• Show enthusiasm for working in the health sector
• Have achieved literacy, numeracy, communication and digital literacy skills on which the apprentice will build
• Undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks (this is needed as apprentices may or will come into contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults)
• Be flexible as there may be a requirement to work shifts
• Individual health sector employers may have additional employment entry requirements e.g. a current driving licence would also be an advantage (and may be necessary for some roles).

Initial Assessment:

Training providers and employers will use initial assessment to identify prior learning and experience so that they can tailor the Apprentices’ Individual Learning Plan only. This initial assessment will not be used to screen out applicants. Employers may use a separate interview or application process to assess an individual’s suitability for employment in the health sector

Applicants to this Apprenticeship will be from different age groups (typically aged 18 and over), with differing backgrounds and experience.

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

• work
• work experience
• college
• training and/or experience which may include a portfolio showing what they have done

Applicants may have already achieved a range of qualifications eg:

• Essential Skills Wales
• Apprenticeship
• GCSEs
• Welsh Baccalaureate (at this time there is no credit transfer)
• Welsh Baccalaureate with Principal Learning (at this time there is no credit transfer)

Apprentices who wish to accredit any prior learning must select options within the Pathway which will equip them with new skills and learning.

Personal Attributes - Employers look for health sector apprentices who are:

• compassionate
• honest,
• well organised
• conscientious
• discreet
• respectful
• personable
• well organised

They also expect them to:

• Be able to work in a team

• Carry out their duties meticulously

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 2: Clinical Healthcare Support

Level 2: Clinical Healthcare Support Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualifications below.

Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

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

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

Level 2: To satisfy the requirements of this apprenticeship Pathway an apprentice will need to complete a total of 780 on and off-the-job training hours over 12 months.

Off-the-job training

Level 2: For this apprenticeship Pathway an apprentice will need to complete a minimum of 341 off-the-job training hours.

On-the-job training

Level 2: For this apprenticeship Pathway an apprentice will need to complete a minimum of 439 on-the-job training hours over 12 months.

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

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits/60 GLH Entry Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 3: Clinical Healthcare Support

Level 3: Clinical Healthcare Support Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualifications below.

Please see Annex 2 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

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

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

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

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Other additional requirements

None

Job roles

The latest version of the job roles and job descriptions for this Pathway

Level 2

Level 3

Progression

Progression into this Pathway

See Entry Requirements.

Progression from this Pathway

Learners may progress from this pathway onto further qualifications specific to their work context which may be in other healthcare and related services. These may include qualifications or other work-related education and training to support Continuing Professional Development.

Progression should 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.

Many apprentices complete their apprenticeships and continue to work as clinical healthcare support workers or healthcare assistants with delegated duties assigned to them by the healthcare professionals they work alongside.

Apprentices who wish to progress into Higher Education are encouraged to complete GCSEs in English and Maths. GCSE qualifications are widely recognised across the Higher Education Sector and support progression into healthcare undergraduate programmes.

Further detailed information and advice on careers within the health sector can be found at: www.nhswalescareers.com

Level 3

Progression into this Pathway

See Entry Conditions. Some apprentices may have already undertaken a level 2 apprenticeship (eg Clinical Healthcare Support).

Progression from this Pathway

On completion of this Pathway, learners may progress onto further qualifications specific to their work context. A wide range of qualifications are available for use within the health sector. These may include further qualifications, a range of higher education qualifications or other work-related education and training to support Continuing Professional Development.

Progression should 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.

Many apprentices complete their apprenticeships and continue to work as Clinical Healthcare Support Workers/Healthcare Assistants with delegated responsibility for a range of clinical tasks. They may also supervise other team members.

Apprentices would need to progress from their apprenticeship to undertake a specific qualification in order to become a registered healthcare professional. This will often include a 3-year university Degree, which, on completion, may enable them to register as a healthcare professional. To do this, individuals would have to meet the specific entry qualifications as outlined by their chosen Higher Education Provider. Completion of this pathway may support their application to study to become a registered healthcare professional.

Further detailed information and advice on careers within the health sector can be found at: www.nhswalescareers.com

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.

Employers/providers must be able to demonstrate that there are no overt or covert discriminatory practices in selection, recruitment and employment. All promotional, selection and training activities must be monitored and comply with legislation.

There is a gender imbalance within the health sector, which is a predominantly female workforce. All jobs are open to both males and females and are advertised accordingly. Male role models are positively promoted through marketing materials, photos and case studies. However, a perception that certain job roles are for women remains and this may prevent some males from applying to work in these job roles.

Local apprenticeship programmes may be designed by employers to encourage a higher number of male applicants into these roles and into the workforce as a whole.

Skills for Health is not aware of any other imbalance in the take up of this particular Pathway eg by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. For all health apprenticeships local recruitment is encouraged to reflect the local community.

Skills for Health will monitor take up and achievement of all Apprenticeships and take steps to address any barriers to take up and achievement as part of our Sector Qualifications Strategy.

Skills for Health recognises the principle that the Welsh and English languages should be treated on a basis of equality. Consideration should be given to those whose first language is Welsh or those who simply are able and choose to speak Welsh. Awarding Bodies, employers, HEIs and training providers should take a proportionate approach to delivering the on programme and assessment elements of qualifications delivered in Wales in the Welsh language: based on a level of established demand to cater for both languages where needed and/or required when delivering this apprenticeship

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government

DfES-ApprenticeshipUnit@gov.wales

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