Health and Social Care - Foundation Apprenticeship (Level 2)

• Healthcare Support Worker
• Healthcare Assistant
• Mental health support worker
• Nursing Assistant
• Personal Assistant
• Support Worker

Foundation apprenticeships are employed positions and are for younger people who will benefit from a wide range of experiences. Each foundation apprenticeship provides a mix of employability skills and behaviours, technical knowledge and skills, and associated English and maths. It combines valuable hands-on practice in the workplace with off-the-job learning. The apprentice’s experiences will not only help them to grow their skills but will also help to inform their next career steps. Completion of this foundation apprenticeship will certify achievement of all of the technical knowledge and skills, together with all of the employability skills and behaviours described. The typical progression routes will likely include employment or progression onto another skills product such as a level 2 or level 3 apprenticeship.

Foundation apprenticeships benefit employers as they get to see the apprentice in work-based settings while the apprentice receives extra support. Employers also benefit from accessing a broader talent pool of young learners than they might otherwise do.

Under DfE Apprenticeship funding Rules 25/26 the employer qualifies for up to £2,000 per foundation apprentice, subject to retention and progression.

Health and care support assistants work in a range of health and care settings, for example in a care home, hospital, General Practice, as part of community team and in individuals’ homes where their wider team may include workers from both health and social care.

The broad purpose is to provide high quality and compassionate care and support to individuals. Daily duties will vary dependent on where they work and whether their work is focused on supporting healthcare professionals in providing clinical healthcare or in providing personal care and support in adult social care.

This Foundation Apprenticeship requires a minimum 187 hours off-the-job learning. Upon successful completion, the apprentice will be competent in the knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in this standard. Someone who completes some or all of this content will be part-way through a journey to a more specialist occupation. Taking another apprenticeship after this one is one way of progressing. More information about the main occupations involved can be found via the links below.