Assistant Practitioner Higher Apprenticeship

The Assistant Practitioner Higher Apprenticeship programme is a qualification introduced to support the health and social care workforce. The role offers a flexible mix of skills required to support registered practitioners working together to deliver high-quality care for patients and the public.

An Assistant Practitioner is a non-occupational specific role delivering high quality care in a variety of settings. This foundation degree (FdSC) ensures that apprentices receive a wide-ranging, research-informed education and develop the practical skills demanded by employers.

Underpinned by evidence-based practice and in partnership with public and private healthcare organisations, our Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship is an ideal grounding for those looking to develop and enhance their health and social care practice. Successful apprentices will achieve the University of Brighton’s Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care Practice as well as the Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship.

Make sure that you’ve read the FAQs, and that you meet the eligibility criteria, before you submit an application.

key information

University of Brighton Award FdSc Health and Social Care Practice (Assistant Practitioner)

Apprenticeship Standard Healthcare Assistant Practitioner

Level 5

Application Close Date To be confirmed

Start Date September 2020

Duration 2 years

Location Falmer

Accreditation Health and Care Professions Council

submit an application

Further information and enquiries

What it covers

Programme structure

Assistant Practitioners attend university one day a week during term time and will continue to have one day per week off-the-job-training out of term.

With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met. Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role or furthers apprentices development into new areas.

Entry requirements

Level 2 Mathematics and English Language at grade C/4 or above
Relevant or equivalent level 3 qualification such as an accredited Access to HE Diploma (pass with at least 45 credits at level 3), Higher Education Certificate, Higher National Certificate, Higher National Diploma, National Vocational Qualification, BTEC National Diploma, BTEC Certificate, International Baccalaureate

Core modules

Year 1:

Study Skills for Health and Social Care Practice
Communication in Health and Social Care Practice
Anatomy and Physiology to Support Health and Social Care Practice
Legal and Ethical Foundations of Health and Social Care
Work-based Learning for Health and Social Care Practice

Year 2:

Using Evidence as a Basis for Practice
Project Planning
Work-based Project
Integrative Health Care Practice
Practice Skills Development

Benefits and prospects

Tuition on the programme is provided by experts based within the university and visiting lecturers from practicing clinical areas as well as service users. Tutors are supported by a Practice Educators within public and private healthcare organisations, which helps to ensure the relevancy and currency of training as well as additional support for the apprentice.

Assistant Practitioners will therefore develop additional skills and knowledge based on their employer's requirements depending on the clinical or professional area within which they are working.

For those Assistant Practitioners who wish to progress into registered practice, the apprenticeships can provide credits into some Higher Education programmes aligned to professional registration.

Assistant Practitioners work in a range of areas

Therefore prospects upon completion may include working in:

Cancer services
Physiotherapy
Genito-urinary medicine
Orthopaedics
Hospice care
Social care
Mental health
Social care
Community
Occupational therapy
Learning disabilities

Fees and funding information for apprentices

Course fees

As an apprentice the cost of your learning programme is covered by your employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.

Student finance

Higher and degree level apprentices are not eligible for any element of student finance. This is because they receive a salary instead of the student loan package. However, if you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.

Learning support

Apprentices studying at Higher and degree level may be able to access funding in relation to additional support but this is available through the university and not Disabled Students Allowance. Apprentices may also be able to apply for Access to Work funding for work-based equipment and software. Please contact the Disability and Dyslexia team on 01273 643 799.

Living costs and benefits

Higher and degree level apprentices must fulfil the standard eligibility criteria in order to apply for means tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. If you have any questions about entitlement to benefits, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 643888.

Higher and degree level apprentices who are undertaking a full-time mode of study can be treated as being exempt from paying Council Tax. Although some programmes require study on a day-release arrangement, this can still be classed as full-time study. You will need to obtain a letter from the Student Information Desk at any campus and send this to your Council Tax department when you enrol on the programme.

Other

Brighton & Hove bus discount

NUS card

Why choose us?

Apprenticeships rated 'Good' by Ofsted
We are a trusted partner to the health and social care sector, working with local providers
We are at the forefront of universities delivering apprenticeships in health
We are a top 10 university for world-leading research impact in allied health professions, nursing and pharmacy (REF 2014)
Our Apprenticeship Qualification Achievement Rates (QAR) in 2017-18 was 87.5% – over 20% above the national average for Health, Public Services and Care (Education & Skills Funding Agency).

Sharon is a 33-year-old healthcare assistant who works part-time at a local GP surgery. She left school after taking GCSEs and started a family soon after. Although she aspired to be a nurse, further study was not a realistic possibility at the time:

"I seriously considered going to university three or four times, but it was just too difficult, and as a mother of two, I just couldn't do it

When I heard about the apprenticeship, all of the stumbling blocks just disappeared. I asked my employers if I could do the higher apprenticeship and they were happy to support me.

The higher apprenticeship is amazing. I’m learning loads from my tutors, but I also get a great deal from my fellow students as we all work in different settings – for example, some are in hospitals and A&E departments. This course is so flexible you can tailor it to suit all of the different working environments."