Apprenticeships in social care
Skills for Care, in partnership with the Department of Health, actively promotes social care apprenticeship programmes.
An apprenticeship is a combination of on and off the job training and learning. Apprenticeships are not just for young people but for all ages.
As employees, apprentices work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills, getting paid whilst working towards a number of qualifications and gaining experience.
Skills for Care designs the framework for those working in social care and the Skills Funding Agency supports the training with funding. Apprenticeships have the scope for any specialist employer requirements to be included.
The programme enables apprentices to gain relevant care skills that can include anything from supporting people to get dressed to transporting them to and from a care setting. Apprentices might work directly with people who use services as a care worker, or team leader. Alternatively they may work in a non-direct social care role in catering or administration.
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If you are an employer looking for more information on apprenticeships click on the link above
Information for potential apprentices
- If you are an apprentice or thinking of undertaking an apprenticeship in adult social care please click on the link above for more information
- If you are a training provider or college looking for information on the apprenticeship framework please click on the link above
- If you are an employment or careers advisor looking for information on apprenticeships and the resources available to promote them please click on the link above
- For information on the Apprenticeship certificate applications for the social care pathway click on the link above.
For all enquiries please email apprenticeships@skillsforcare.org.uk.
Skills for Care is currently developing a Higher Apprenticeship framework centred around the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services. We expect to have a framework available for delivery next year.
Skills for Care is funding a range of pilots across the sector to support areas where apprenticeships are undertaken less frequently. Some aim to address sector specific challenges and others maximise opportunities to use the apprenticeship programme to support staff in emerging roles.
Example pilots include:
- Increasing participation for 16-18 year olds to join the sector via an apprenticeship programme
- Increasing the number of personal assistant apprentices to support individuals
- Adapting delivery models to support roles in the community such as domiciliary care workers
- Delivering apprenticeships in the voluntary and community sector
- Supporting Young Apprentices to progress to an Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Large employers implementing the apprenticeship programme as a key part of workforce development
Please note information contained in these apprenticeship web pages is valid for England only
qualifications & training
- introduction
- advice on meeting CQC regulations
- apprenticeships
- care training codes
- foundation degree
- innovation case studies
- Minimum training standards and code of conduct
- NVQ's and knowledge sets
- new qualifications (QCF)
- society health and development diploma
- training materials listing
- working with education and training providers
introduction
