Healthcare Support Services
Who is this Apprenticeship for?
This programme is designed for:
- School or college leavers who want to start a career in healthcare and enjoy providing hands-on support to patients
- Individuals seeking to develop practical skills in areas such as personal care, health monitoring, and assisting clinical staff
- New or existing employees working in hospitals, GP practices, community health services, or residential care settings
Are there any entry requirements?
For apprentices aged 16–18:
Applicants should provide evidence of GCSE grades 1/G or above in English and Maths (or equivalent). If these qualifications have not yet been achieved, support will be available throughout the apprenticeship to help learners meet the required standards.
For apprentices aged 19 and over:
While GCSEs in English and Maths at grade 1/G or above (or equivalent) are beneficial, they are not mandatory. Initial assessments may be used to identify any support needs.
Additional Requirements:
Employers may set their own entry criteria based on the specific demands of the role or sector.
What is the curriculum intent of this Apprenticeship?
The course curriculum is designed and delivered in a way that equips you with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours aligned with the needs of local and regional employers. It supports your achievement of relevant qualifications and prepares you for success in your chosen field.
The curriculum is thoughtfully structured and sequenced to build on your existing knowledge and experience, helping you acquire the new skills required to further your career, further training, education, or employment. It is also flexible and responsive, allowing for personalisation based on individual needs and current challenges in your role, which can be explored during workshop sessions.
As an apprentice, you will be expected to demonstrate both theoretical understanding and practical competence by the end of your training programme, showing how your learning contributes to the demands of the local, regional, and national economy.
What will the Apprenticeship cover?
The Healthcare Support Worker L2 Apprenticeship will cover:
Knowledge Areas
- Care Principles: Legislation, duty of care, safeguarding, person-centred approaches, and codes of conduct
- Health & Wellbeing: Recognising pain, distress, changes in health, supporting nutrition, hydration, and daily living activities
- Communication: Effective techniques for clear understanding, including for individuals with specific needs
- Professional Boundaries: Scope of practice, limitations, when to seek support, and confidentiality
- Safety & Infection Control: Hygiene, PPE, safe moving and handling, risk management, and disposal of hazardous materials
- Information & Systems: Secure recording, IT systems, managing appointments, supplies, and signposting services
- Personal Development & Quality: Reflective practice, CPD, Care Certificate, quality improvement, and sourcing evidence
Skills Development
- Care Delivery: Work within legislation, policies, codes of conduct, and scope of practice while providing safe, person-centred care
- Health & Wellbeing: Recognise and respond to pain, distress, changes in health; support nutrition, hydration, and daily living activities
- Clinical Support: Perform basic life support, take physiological measurements, and assist with prescribed medication
- Communication: Use effective techniques to help understanding, respond to mental capacity limitations, and support referrals
- Safety & Infection Control: Maintain a safe environment, apply hygiene and PPE practices, handle equipment safely, and manage risks
- Information & Confidentiality: Record, store, and share information securely in line with policy, using technology appropriately
- Personal Development & Improvement: Engage in training, appraisal, reflective practice, and contribute to quality improvement activities
End Point Assessment
This is the final assessment and includes a:
- Practical observation with questioning
- Professional discussion (based on a portfolio of evidence)
Progression Routes
Roles such as:
- Senior Healthcare Support Worker
- Nursing Assistant
- Maternity Support Worker
- Mental Health Support Worker
Higher-level qualifications:
- Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship
- Nursing Associate Level 5 Apprenticeship
Professional recognition with organisations such as:
- Skills for Health
- Nursing & Midwifery Council
When and where will I learn?
This apprenticeship combines online learning with hands-on experience in the workplace. You’ll receive regular support from your tutor through scheduled meetings at your place of work, or remotely, ensuring your progression is closely guided and aligned with the apprenticeship requirements. Additionally, you may be invited to attend support sessions at our training centre located at Lingfield Way (DL1 4QZ) to further enhance your learning.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will serve as a foundation for applying new knowledge and developing practical skills in real care environments. Throughout the programme, your tutor will work with you to ensure your learning journey is tailored to your role and supports your achievement of the Healthcare Support Worker standard.
The programme typically takes 8 months to complete, depending on your working hours and prior experience.
What do I do next?
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