Early Intervention Practitioner (Level 4)

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This course is for eligible candidates, who work or wish to work within either a statutory or voluntary organisation and who can provide person-centred, early intervention approaches and services to support individuals across all age ranges, from pre-birth to end of life.

Early Intervention Practitioners offer practical help and emotional support to individuals experiencing a range of problems to help them overcome concerns or barriers impacting their daily lives, such as alcohol, drug or gambling misuse, behavioural issues, mobility issues and learning difficulties. They provide impartial information, advice, support and guidance to individuals and others impacted by the individual’s circumstances, such as their family and friends.

An Early Intervention Practitioner is responsible for identifying and sourcing the right intervention at the right time in an individual’s life to achieve mutually agreed outcomes. They work in a number of different environments within the community depending on the types of individuals they are supporting and may visit an individual in their home environment or meet in a neutral location of the individual’s choosing.

Early Intervention Practitioner roles offer a wide range of support to individuals across all age ranges. For example:

a Lead Reablement Worker may focus on supporting and empowering adults to enhance their quality of life, maximise potential and continue to develop independence skills within their own homes. They might do this by, for example, creating and implementing a support plan for older person to rebuild their confidence and regain lost skills after being injured in a fall, to ensure they can remain independent in their own home rather than needing residential care.
a Violence Prevention Worker may deliver behavioural change interventions with adults in a way that shows an understanding of domestic violence and its effect on the victim, prioritising the safety of the victim and their children.
a Pastoral and School Inclusion Officer would be responsible for finding solutions to keep young people in school wherever possible, or if that's not possible, to ensure they get an education somewhere else. They might do this by supporting pupils with identified behavioural issues to achieve their potential through targeted support and interventions, whilst working closely with parents and relevant professionals.

Example Job Titles can include:

Assistant senior care worker
Assistant social worker
Childrens centre staff Early help practitioner
Early intervention advisor
Early intervention alcohol case worker

Are there any entry requirements?

Must be a UK citizen, or have the right of abode in the UK, or is a citizen of a country that is within the EEA and have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the EU or the EEA continuously for the previous three years before the start of learning.

Candidates will have achieved GCSE Grade 9-4 (A*-C) or equivalent in English and Mathematics. We also offer Functional Skills English and maths at Level 2 for those needing to gain these qualifications prior to enrolment.

Apprentices must be employed, normally for a minimum of 30 hours, in an existing Early Intervention Practitioner in order to meet and develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to be successful in this area. The duration of the apprenticeship would be extended if the apprentice works less than 30 hours.

What is the curriculum intent of this Apprenticeship?

The structure and delivery of the course curriculum will enable you to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours to reflect the needs of local and regional employers, gain qualifications and be successful in this area.

The curriculum is planned and sequenced to enable learners with previous knowledge and experience to develop the new skills needed to progress to the next stage of their career, training, education or employment.

The curriculum is flexible and responsive to learner demands and can be tailored to suit individual needs, arising from any current and dynamic issues affecting their role, which can be addressed during workshop sessions.

As an apprentice you will need to be able to demonstrate knowledge and practical skills at the end of your apprenticeship training programme and understand how this reflects the needs of the local, regional and national economy.

What will the Apprenticeship cover?

The Lead Early Intervention Practitioner Level 4 will develop the knowledge and understanding of:

Relevant legislation, policies and procedures nationally and locally within their organisation, and own role. In relation to Children, Adults, Health and Safety, Equality and data protection.
The principles and benefits of local and national multi-agency working.
Stages of development and transitions individuals may go through and the impact of these on the individual.
The importance of safeguarding and protection of vulnerable people when managing early intervention cases.
When it is appropriate to escalate and deescalate individual cases because it is beyond their responsibility and jurisdiction despite any emotive commitments.
Importance of health, well-being, and resilience in relation to self and others.
Limits of personal and professional boundaries within own role.
Relevant theories relating to early intervention work, including social justice, development, person and family centred approaches and evidence-based strategies.
Methods used to assess and analyse individuals and use professional judgements to inform future interventions.
The importance of using the right communication method depending on the situation when building professional relationships including the use of digital technologies.
Theory of Change and the impact it has on themselves and others.
The importance of safe lone working and mitigating risks to protect personal safety.
Principles of mentoring and coaching to help support others.
Caseload management processes, and when to seek appropriate support or direction from others.
Organisational aims and values in own role, including equality, rights, and diversity.
How to undertake risk assessment using organisationally approved processes.
Conflict resolution techniques to manage differences of opinion and difficult situations.

Develop the skills in:

Managing early intervention caseloads in line with organisational policies and procedures and relevant national and local priorities.
Assessing, managing and responding to risk in their own area of responsibility.
Providing individuals and professional partners with appropriate tools and information to help them make informed choices to access support relevant to their needs.
Working collaboratively with individuals, their wider network and partner agencies, providing professional challenge when necessary.
Using appropriate observation, questioning, problem solving and analysis techniques when undertaking assessments for early intervention.
Applying organisational health, safety, equality, and welfare procedures when managing caseloads to ensure the welfare of self, clients, their wider network and professional partners.
Applying relevant theories and evidence-based strategies in own role.
Managing multiple cases within own role, to meet individual and or family's needs.
Prioritising interventions based on presenting needs.
Producing detailed and accurate records that meet organisational and legislative requirements.
Using appropriate techniques to build and maintain professional relationships that help to ensure needs of individual cases are met.
Using digital technologies where appropriate within own role.
Working independently as a practitioner within the wider team context, drawing on direction and support when needed.
Providing impartial information, advice and guidance in a format that meets the needs of the individual.
Use professional judgement to understand the complexities of a situation and make appropriate decisions.

Develop the behaviours in:

Collaboration: engagement with individuals and their wider network, colleagues and partner agencies to collectively promote best outcomes.
Enquiring: having professional curiosity, exploring a range of approaches in practices.
Adaptability: be flexible and responsive to adapt to situations as they arise or are foreseen.
Compassion: reflective, self-caring, considerate of self and others. Able to draw upon and build support networks.
Reflective: learning from success and mistakes, to continuously review and adapt approach.
Equity: Value people as individuals recognising difference and diversity.

On completion of the on-programme element of the apprenticeship you will enter gateway to the End Point Assessment, which is the final assessment. This will be conducted by an independent end point assessor who will grade the assessment.

End Point Assessment Methods

To trigger the End Point Assessment, you must have:

Proof of English & maths GCSE minimum grade 4 or equivalent level 2 qualification
Completed a showcase portfolio, demonstrating how you have met the skills, knowledge and behaviours

The End Point Assessment consists of:

Professional Discussion: A structured discussion with the Independent Assessor, to draw out the best of the apprentice’s competence and excellence and cover the knowledge, skills and behaviours.
Work based study Component 1: A 3,500-word report and a 15-minute video recording of a meeting.
Work based study Component 2: A minimum of 5 open questions over 30 minutes

This standard will be graded as Distinction, Pass or Fail.

What could I do when I have finished this Apprenticeship?

Pursue a career within early intervention, pursue a career in other related sectors such as social care working or move onto higher education opportunities.

You will also be given information and guidance to continue onto other courses.

Where and when will I learn?

During the course you will be expected to, normally, attend work a minimum of 30 hours per week where you will learn the skills and knowledge required to continue through your qualification. This may include shift working, bank holiday working and weekend working. You will be supported in the workplace through regular visits with your tutor and you will also be expected to come into the training centre (Coleridge Centre, DL1 5AJ) for support sessions. These sessions will allow you to complete coursework, receive instant feedback and ensure you are ready for the End Point Assessment

This on-programme taught element will typically take 18 months, but this is based on a vocational initial assessment to determine prior learning in this area and may be reduced. The End Point Assessment will be completed within 3 months of completing the on-programme taught element.

How much will the Apprenticeship cost?

There are no fees for this apprenticeship.

What do I do next?

You can:

View our latest vacancies

Or you can:

Apply for this apprenticeship area to be entered into a 'pool of candidates'. When a relevant vacancy becomes available we will contact you.
If you are already employed in this area and wish to join the apprenticeship training, or have identified an employer wishing to start you as an apprentice in this area, please contact us