Healthcare Support Services

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 Healthcare Support Services

is 28 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway Healthcare Support Services

is 37 credits.

Entry requirements

Employers from the Health Sector using this framework offer a broad range of skills training through the individual pathways, and welcome applicants from a wide range of diverse backgrounds and anticipate that they will have a wide range of experience, achievements and qualifications. The selection process by employers (or in partnership with learning providers) may include initial assessment where applicants will be asked if they have any qualifications or experience that can be accredited against the requirements of the apprenticeship. Apprentices will need to be able to comply with the Pre-Employment Checks of the employing organisation. 

There are no specific qualifications required for entry to this apprenticeship framework. Apprentices should:

• Demonstrate the values of the employer organisation
• Show enthusiasm for working in the health sector
• Have basic literacy, numeracy and communication skills on which the apprenticeship will build
• Have a suitable level of physical fitness to perform some aspects of the job roles (e.g. assisting in moving and handling inanimate objects)
• Be willing to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks
• Be flexible as there may be a requirement to work rotas

Individual health sector employers may have additional employment entry requirements.

Level 2

Applicants to this Apprenticeship will be from different age groups, with differing backgrounds and experience. As a guide, applicants may enter via a range of routes including from:

• Work (current role)

• Work experience 

• School 

• 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 

• Welsh Baccalaureate 

• Welsh Baccalaureate with Principal Learning 

• foundation learning at level 1 

• Other level 1 qualifications 

• GCSEs in related subjects 

Personal Attributes 

Employers look for health sector apprentices who demonstrate the values and behaviors of the employing organisation and who:

• Are well organised and conscientious 

• Can work in a team 

• Are keen and motivated to work their chosen healthcare environment 

• Are willing to undertake a course of training both on-the-job and off-the-job and apply this learning in the workplace 

• Have basic literacy, numeracy and communication skills upon which the apprenticeship will build 

• Are willing to undergo an Occupational Health Check, if the role requires. 

• Are willing to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks, if the role requires (e.g. this may be needed in roles where the apprentices may come into contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults) 

• Can be flexible as there may be a requirement to work shifts

Individual Healthcare sector employers may have additional employment entry requirements e.g. ability to travel between different locations depending on where services are delivered.

Level 3

Entry requirements are the same as Level 3, but also include:

Applicants may have already achieved a range of qualifications eg: 

• Essential Skills Wales 

• Level 2 Apprenticeship 

• GCSEs 

• GCE A Levels 

• Welsh Baccalaureate 

• Welsh Baccalaureate with Principal Learning 

• Other relevant level 3 qualifications e.g. BTEC, T Levels 

Personal Attributes 

Employers look for health sector apprentices who demonstrate the values and behaviors of the employing organisation and who:

• Are well organised and conscientious 

• Can work in a team 

• Are keen and motivated to work their chosen healthcare environment 

• Are willing to undertake a course of training both on-the-job and off-the-job and apply this learning in the workplace 

• Have basic literacy, numeracy and communication skills upon which the apprenticeship will build 

• Are willing to undergo an Occupational Health Check, if the role requires. 

• Are willing to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks, if the role requires (e.g. this may be needed in roles where the apprentices may come into contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults) 

• Can be flexible as there may be a requirement to work shifts

Individual Healthcare sector employers may have additional employment entry requirements e.g. ability to travel between different locations depending on where services are delivered.

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

Initial Assessment

Training providers and employers will use initial assessment to ensure that applicants have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their ability and to tailor learning programmes to meet individual needs, recognising prior qualifications and experience.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 2: Foundation Apprenticeship in Health (Healthcare Support Services)

Level 2: Foundation Apprenticeship in Health (Healthcare Support Services) Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualifications below.

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

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

For information on other qualifications which are acceptable for recognised prior learning please refer to  Proxies for Level 2 and Level 3  

On/Off the Job training

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

On-the-job learning will comprise either the:

Agored Cymru Level 2 Diploma in Facilities Services for Healthcare in Wales 

OR:

Agored Cymru Level 2 Extended Certificate in Facilities Services for Healthcare in 

Wales

OR:

Agored Cymru Level 2 Diploma in Primary Care Administration and Reception

OR:

Agored Cymru Level 2 Diploma in Estates Services in a Healthcare Setting

Evidence to support the application for an apprenticeship completion certificate for on-the-job training will include a copy of the qualification certificate for one of the above qualifications detailing the units completed.

Off-the-job learning will comprise:

Level 1 Essential Communication Skills

Level 1 Essential Application of Number Skills Level 1 Essential Digital Literacy Skills

Off-the-job training undertaken before the apprentice started their apprenticeship may count towards the off-the-job training required for the apprenticeship if it was undertaken in relation to an accredited qualification contained in the framework for which a completion certificate is to be applied for.

Evidence to support the application for an apprenticeship completion certificate for off-the-job training will include a copy of the qualification certificate for each of the above qualifications detailing the units completed.

It is expected that:

• On-the-job and off-the-job training hours are both planned, reviewed and evaluated jointly between the apprentice and a tutor, or teacher, their workplace supervisor or manager and, where relevant, the apprentice’s coach or mentor.
• On-the-job and off-the-job training support via either a tutor, teacher, mentor or manager is made available when required by the apprentice.

• On-the-job and off-the-job training hours are delivered through one or more of the following methods: individual and group teaching; e-learning; distance learning; coaching; mentoring; feedback & assessment; collaborative/networked learning with peers; guided study.

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

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

• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Communication Skills
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Application of Number Skills
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Digital Literacy Skills

Level 3: Apprenticeship in Health (Healthcare Management)

Level 3: Apprenticeship in Health (Healthcare Management) Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualification 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.

For information on other qualifications which are acceptable for recognised prior learning please refer to  Proxies for Level 2 and Level 3 

On/Off the Job training

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

On-the-job learning will comprise:

Agored Cymru Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Management

Evidence to support the application for an apprenticeship completion certificate for on-the-job training will include a copy of the qualification certificate for the above qualification detailing the units completed.

Off-the-job learning will comprise:

Level 2 Essential Communication Skills

Level 2 Essential Application of number Skills

Level 2 Essential Digital Literacy Skills

Off-the-job training undertaken before the apprentice started their apprenticeship may count towards the off-the-job training required for the apprenticeship if it was undertaken in relation to an accredited qualification contained in the framework for which a completion certificate is to be applied for.

Evidence to support the application for an apprenticeship completion certificate for off-the-job training will include a copy of the qualification certificate for each of the above qualifications detailing the units completed.

It is expected that:

• On-the-job and off-the-job training hours are both planned, reviewed and evaluated jointly between the apprentice and a tutor, or teacher, their workplace supervisor or manager and, where relevant, the apprentice’s coach or mentor.
  • On-the-job and off-the-job training support via either a tutor, teacher, mentor or manager is made available when required by the apprentice.
  • On-the-job and off-the-job training hours are delivered through one or more of the following methods: individual and group teaching; e-learning; distance learning; coaching; mentoring; feedback & assessment; collaborative/networked learning with peers; guided study.

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

• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Communication Skills
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Application of Number Skills
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Digital Literacy Skills

Other additional requirements

Apprentices are required to: 

• Be willing to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks, as applicable to the role (this is needed as apprentices may come into contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults) 

• Be flexible as there may be a requirement to work shifts 

• Comply with the pre-employment checks of the employing organisation

Job roles

Job roles for pathways within this framework are dependent upon the qualification taken. Example job roles for each pathway can be found in the table below. 

Progression

Progression following completion of an Apprenticeship is not automatic but will be dependent on promotion opportunities and employer policy on accessing study/training.

Level 2

Progression routes into the apprenticeship

See Entry requirements

Progression from the Apprenticeship

Learners may progress from this framework 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 pathways within this framework (e.g. Level 3 Diploma in healthcare Management or Medical Secretary) or through the use of other apprenticeship frameworks (e.g. Cleaning and Environment Support).

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 healthcare apprentices complete their apprenticeships and continue to work in roles relating to the units, they have selected within their competence qualification (e.g. Domestic Assistant, Porter, Catering Assistant, etc).

Others may wish to move into a clinical role and may select to undertake a clinical qualification or apprenticeship (e.g. Level 2 or 3 in Clinical Healthcare Support).

Further detailed information and advice on careers within the health sector can be found at  http://www.wales.nhs.uk/

Level 3

Progression routes into the Apprenticeship

See Entry requirements

Progression from the Apprenticeship

Learners may progress from this pathway onto a Level 4 Apprenticeship or 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. There are additional management frameworks available at higher levels.

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 will complete their apprenticeships and continue to work in the roles with delegated responsibilities assigned to them by the Practitioners they work alongside. This may include training and supervision of other team members. 

Further detailed information and advice on careers within the health sector can be found at  http://www.wales.nhs.uk/

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 is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18-year group) receive a full 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/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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