The health and social care sector hosts many career opportunities that a person can train in. Many reports suggest that an estimated 275,000 additional health and social care workers will be required by 2025, so more staff need to be employed and trained to fulfil these positions.
But how can someone become qualified for a health and social care role?
There are several routes into this industry, whether you are starting a career or building upon existing knowledge. These options include health and social care apprenticeships, graduate employment, working as a trainee, and achieving a university qualification.
How would these apprenticeships help you to work in this sector? See how they can support a new chapter in your career.
What Is a Health and Social Care Apprenticeship?
Available at various levels, a health and social care apprenticeship enables you to learn and earn as you work. Wages can depend on age, progress on your current apprenticeship, and the company providing the programme.
All apprentices should receive at least the National Minimum Wage of £4.81 per hour, as of April 2022, for those under 19 or completing their first year. Those over 19 years old who have finished the first year of their apprenticeship are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their respective age.
This fully paid training is 80% education in work and 20% off-the-job learning.
Health and social care apprenticeships range from an intermediary Level 2 to degree-standard Levels 6 and 7. The time to complete these qualifications depends on which level you are working towards, with degree apprenticeships taking approximately three years. They also come without student debt or tuition fees.
After completion, you will likely have a job with the company, though this is not guaranteed. If not, there are many other health and social care roles that you may still qualify for.
Types of Healthcare and Social Care Apprenticeships
1. The Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker
This apprenticeship usually takes 18 months (excluding the End Point Assessment (EPA) period). As a frontline staff member, it involves supporting and caring for adults with various needs to live safely and independently.
During this time, you will learn various elements, such as safeguarding, the importance of communication, and treating individuals with dignity and respect.
To undertake a Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship, you complete the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) process and provide your apprenticeship organisation with the results. There are no other formal requirements; check your apprenticeship for more details.
If you have no Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English (e.g. GCSE grades A*-C or 9-4), you will work towards them during your apprenticeship. You need to have these qualifications before your End Point Assessment.
Once training has finished, you will complete your EPA, which involves both a Situational Judgement Test and a Professional Discussion. This process demonstrates your knowledge and competency in this role.
After passing your EPA, you receive your Apprenticeship Certificate.
Following this, you can progress to the Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care or the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services. Management qualifications or specialisations are also available, or you can begin employment, such as in a nursing home.
2. The Level 5 Leader in Adult Care
This apprenticeship, designed for managers and supervisors within health and social care, provides the Level 5 Leadership and Management for Adult Care Diploma and takes between 18 and 22 months to complete.
It enables the learner to lead a care team and help your staff support adults facing many challenges, including psychological and emotional ones; someone with this qualification may also be responsible for financial control or managing risk.
If you want to partake in this apprenticeship, you can receive resources to help you through your journey, including one-to-one support and webinars.
To qualify for this apprenticeship, you require GCSE grades A*-C or 9-4, or equivalent, in Maths and English and a management role in your current health and social worker. The responsibilities you currently have are to develop during your apprenticeship.
What Jobs Can You Apply for with a Health and Social Care Apprenticeship?
Depending on your qualification level, this programme type allows you into many common careers. Workers may require a degree, such as a Level 6 or Level 7 degree apprenticeship, although it is unnecessary for every health and social care position.
If you have completed a health and social care apprenticeship, you could begin a career as a:
- Care Assistant
- Community worker
- Deputy manager
- Support worker
- Youth worker
It is not a comprehensive list; differing apprenticeships can train you for different roles, so ensure you find the right one for your qualifications.
Funding for Health and Social Care Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are funded by the government and your employer, meaning you are not required to pay for the training. However, as you cannot receive student loans, you may be responsible for costs such as rent and travel.
If you want to start a career in the health and social care sector, there are numerous ways. Whether you go to university, get a graduate job, or complete an apprenticeship, you can find the ideal way to work in this industry and gain work experience and qualifications.
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