Support Services and Cleaning

Who is this Apprenticeship for?

This programme is designed for:

• Individuals starting a career in healthcare or commercial environments, who are focused on maintaining high standards of hygiene and infection prevention
• Apprentices working alongside professionals, contributing to patient safety and wellbeing by ensuring clean, safe, and sanitary conditions across a range of facility types
• Existing cleaning operatives who wish to formalise their experience, enhance their skills, and gain a nationally recognised qualification to support career progression

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 advance in 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 Cleaning Operative Apprenticeship will cover:

Knowledge Areas

• Cleaning & Risk Management: Identify when to escalate cleaning, respond quickly, and prioritise tasks
• Chemical & Equipment Safety: Choose suitable products, follow COSHH, and ensure safe use and storage
• Infection Control: Apply hygiene protocols, use PPE correctly, and distinguish cleaning from disinfection
• Waste & Environmental Compliance: Segregate and dispose of waste responsibly, following legal and sustainable practices
• Operations & Quality Assurance: Adhere to SOPs, prepare areas, clean equipment, and support audits and reporting
• Communication & Reporting: Report issues and use data to guide cleaning needs and service delivery
• Security & Legislation: Secure premises and materials, engage appropriately with users, and follow data protection laws

Skills Development

• Safe Working Practices: Follow procedures, use PPE, comply with COSHH/PAT, and handle/store equipment and chemicals securely
• Cleaning Techniques: Choose suitable agents/methods, perform routine/specialist/emergency cleans, and clean/disassemble equipment safely
• Waste & Environment: Dispose of waste correctly, apply sustainable practices, and follow environmental laws and policies
• Infection Control: Identify risks, disinfect appropriately, maintain hygiene, and meet healthcare cleanliness standards
• Communication: Interact professionally, consider emotional/physical needs, and report issues, incidents, and shortages
• Quality Assurance: Conduct visual checks/audits, record activities, and support quality processes to meet standards
• Data & Planning: Use data to plan tasks, apply colour coding, follow SOPs, and comply with data protection laws

End Point Assessment Methods

This is the final assessment and includes a:

• Knowledge Test
• Observation, with questions
• Professional discussion (based on a portfolio of evidence)

Progression Routes

Roles such as:

• Commercial cleaning operative
• Hygiene Specialist
• Cleaning supervisor
• Infection control manager

Higher-level qualifications:

• Level 3 Facilities Services Operative Apprenticeship
• Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship
• Sector-Specific CPD and Technical Qualifications

Professional recognition with organisations such as:

• British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc)
• British Cleaning Council (BCC)
• Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)

Where and when 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 progress is closely guided and aligned with the apprenticeship requirements. Additionally, you may be invited to attend support sessions at our training centre located at Bennet House (DL1 5PT) to further enhance your learning.

Learners can complete this apprenticeship entirely online, offering flexibility to suit individual needs.

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 Hygiene Cleaning Operative standard.

The programme typically takes 12 months to complete, depending on your working hours and prior experience.

What do I do next?

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