About
The FdSc Professional Practice in Health and Social Care is an innovative work-based learning solution designed to meet the needs of the employer and the learner, putting them at the heart of the programme. Designed to develop staff working in the health and social care sector, learners will become non-registered practitioners who have the required level of knowledge and skill beyond that of traditional health care assistants or support workers and can be expected to undertake more complex tasks (Skills for Health, 2009). All parties benefit from knowledge and skills exchange, with participants applying the academic building blocks of the course to participate in the delivery of high quality, service user centred care. Apprentices study common modules to introduce them to the basics and principles of health and social care work, and study alongside work-based learning modules which allow them to specialise academically according to their role in the workplace.
Benefits for the Employer
Connect with a leading university committed to working with service partners to meet the needs of the local and national health and social care sectors.
Develop higher apprenticeship and assistant practitioner roles within the health and social care sector enabling employees to work across professional boundaries.
Tailor the skills of the learner to meet workforce requirements.
Develop and invest in staff who have achieved a level of responsibility who wish to enhance their capabilities and upskill them for new roles.
Enhance your learning and development strategy, by establishing a clear progression route for aspiring professionals.
Clinical principles, techniques and practical skills learned at university are further developed in the workplace. Putting theory into practice develops confidence and professional competence.
More than a third of the programme involves practical, work-based activity and assignments that add tangible value to the organisation.
Benefits for the Apprentice
This apprenticeship has been designed to be taken by anyone wanting to work as a Healthcare Assistant Practitioner. Healthcare Assistant Practitioners work at a level above that of Healthcare Support Workers and have a more in-depth understanding about factors that influence health and ill-health.
An Assistant Practitioner always work under the direction of a health professional such as a nurse, dietitian, physiotherapist, podiatrist, or biomedical scientist. This level of training and experience means Assistant Practitioners can often work alone, without supervision.
Assistant Practitioners carry out agreed procedures, referring to a professional for guidance when necessary. They could work in hospitals, clinics or in the community, for example, GP surgeries. They may visit patients in their homes or in residential care. They work closely with other healthcare staff and have a lot of contact with patients.
Assistant Practitioners may mentor healthcare assistants, trainee assistant practitioners and student nurses.
An assistant practitioner will usually be paid at Band 4 of Agenda for Change.
Learning Approach
Learners attend college one day per week. Start dates for each cohort will be determined locally and/or by demand but can be outside the standard academic year delivery pattern. The programme adopts a blended learning approach with modules delivered through a combination of lectures, class-based seminars, and discussions whilst in attendance at college, together with learning in the workplace. Work-based learning is facilitated through self-study and reflective practice. Learners have access to a range of academic and other learning resources available through the college and University. A tri-partite relationship between the learner, the work-based supervisor and the academic staff will monitor the progress and assessment of the learner.
Study Commitment
As a guide, apprentices should expect to study for an additional 12 hours per week on top of their scheduled learning. Employers are expected to support their apprentice’s study by providing a workplace mentor and supporting meetings and assessments.
Qualification Awarded
All successful graduates are awarded a FdSc Professional Practice in Health and Social Care from Sheffield Hallam University, as well as a Level 5 degree apprenticeship.
Next Steps
If you are an Employer
You can offer apprenticeships to upskill existing staff and recruit new talent.
We can also provide guidance to employers and apprentices on funding eligibility and advise on whether a candidate meets the entry requirements of the course.
If you are an Employee
We can also provide guidance to employers and apprentices on funding eligibility and advise on whether a candidate meets the entry requirements of the course.
If you are a Student
We can help school and college leavers to prepare for apprenticeships and support their recruitment process.
Key Information
Level 4 (120 Credits)
- Work Based Learning One (Academic) 20 Credits
- Work Based Learning One (Practice) 20 Credits
- Reflective and Personal Development 20 Credits
- Essential Sciences for Person Centred Care 40 Credits
- Integrated Holistic Assessment Delivery of Health and Social Care Interventions 20 Credits
Level 5 (120 Credits)
- Work Based Learning Two (Academic) 20 Credits
- Work Based Learning Two (Practice) 20 Credits
- Using and Evaluating Evidence to Inform Practice 20 Credits
- Promoting Health Wellbeing and Independence 40 Credits
- Leadership and Management 20 Credits
Foundation Degree – The award incorporates a mix of innovative and traditional assessment types to monitor progress. Assessments will test attributes relevant for successful performance in the workplace, enabling learners to integrate academic learning and on-the-job training. Assessed tasks are variable and can include interviews, assessments of practice, reflective portfolios, written assignments, literature reviews, case studies and presentations.
End Point Assessment – The end-point assessment will be carried out by and independent assessor on the Register of Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations and consists of the following components, a multiple choice and short answer test, an observation of practice undertaken in the workplace, a reflective journal completed by the apprentice, an interview In order to undertake the end-point assessment, the learner must have successfully completed the foundation degree.
Applicants must be in full-time employment and:
- Be 18 or older.
- Have the right of abode and right to work in the UK to qualify for funding, please use this link to see Government funding rules.
- Meet course entry requirements.
To meet the apprenticeship standard apprentices will be required to hold or achieve:
- Minimum of Level 2 English
- Minimum of Level 2 maths
- Complete the 15 standards required by the Care Quality Commission
- A regulated Level 5 Occupational Competence Qualification
Learners successfully completing the foundation degree will be able to apply for a number of professional courses and degree apprenticeships including
- BSc (Honours) Nursing (Adult*, Child and Mental Health)
- BSc (Honours) Applied Nursing and Social Work (Learning Disability) • BSc (Honours) Midwifery • BA (Honours) Social Work*
- BSc (Honours) Physiotherapy*
- BSc (Honours) Diagnostic Radiography*
- BSc (Honours) Occupational Therapy*
- BSc (Honours) Paramedic Science*
- BSc (Honours) Radiotherapy and Oncology
- BSc (Honours) Operating Practice
- BSc (Honours) Health and Social Care Studies
The above degrees marked with an asterisk (*) will allow entry with advanced standing, meaning applicants can join the second year of the degree.
The BSc (Honours) Health and Social Care Studies provides a route to achieving a full honours degree within one year after completion of the foundation degree
Financial Support
UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan to cover living costs.
We also have a range of other financial support available.
Course Fees
UK
Degree apprenticeships are paid for by employers, not apprentices.
Employers with a payroll of more than £3 million can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for places on apprenticeship programmes.
Any business with a payroll below £3 million is eligible for government funding that will cover at least 95% of the cost of an apprenticeship course.
Additional incentives are also available to employers who take on young apprentices.
Enquire about this course
To find out more and apply for this course, please contact us via the telephone number below.
Information for EU Students
From January 2021, how you apply for a course will change. For more information, read the UK Government's guide for the UK points-based immigration system for EU students (pdf).
Visit our International pages for more information and contact details