L2 Health and Social Care Foundation Apprenticeship

Adult Care Worker, Personal Assistant, Carer, Adult Carer, Care Assistant, Care Worker, Cancer Services, Physiotherapy, Genitourinary Medicine, Orthopaedics, Hospice Care, Mental Health, Social Care, Community, Occupational Therapy, Learning Disabilities

The apprentice must normally be age 16 to 21 at the start of their apprenticeship. Exceptions to this are set out in the Department for Education Apprenticeship funding rules.  These exceptions are for learners who are aged between 22-24 if they have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority and / or has been, or are, in the care of their location authority as defined in paragraph or is a prison leaver.

The qualification usually takes around 8 months (excluding 3 months EPA period). However, it is possible to complete earlier depending on the existing achievements and individual circumstances. This can be discussed with your tutor. The apprentice must spend at least 12 months on-programme and complete the required amount of off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.

The aim of this qualification is to support the apprentice’s understanding of the 3 key areas covering the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs). The KSBs descriptors of the Level 2 Health and Social Care Foundation Apprenticeship focuses on the following three themes:

• Legislation, policies and codes of conduct
• Delivering safe and high-quality care and support
• The wider health and social care system

On-programme assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours will lead to the final synoptic end-point assessment.

Apprentices will be allocated a qualified tutor to support the full completion of the apprenticeship and prepare them for the end-point assessment (sometimes 2 tutors will be required at different times for teaching different elements). The tutor will undertake engaging and interactive teaching, learning and support sessions with the apprentice on a regular basis (at least every 4-5 weeks), either remotely via Microsoft Teams or in the workplace if appropriate, to conduct teaching, learning and assessments. These will be planned with the apprentice and employer.

The tutor will manage a portfolio of evidence using an online electronic system called OneFile and give regular updates about progress. Apprentices can contact their tutor in between visits to discuss any aspect of their qualification and will be able to access their online portfolio 24/7.

• Level 2 Health and Social Care Foundation Apprenticeship Standard
• Level 2 Functional Skills in English (if applicable)
• Level 2 Functional Skills in maths (if applicable)

Before the apprentice is adjudged ready to undertake the end-point assessment by their employer and training provider, they will need to:

• receive confirmation from the employer that the apprentice is deemed to be working at or above the level set out in the apprenticeship standard and ready to undertake the EPA
• confirm that they are ready to take the EPA
• achieve Level 2 in English and maths Functional Skills (if applicable).

The purpose of the end-point assessment is to test (in a synoptic way) the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprentice as set out in the apprenticeship standard.

The end-point assessment:

• provides apprentices with a showcase opportunity to provide oral and documentary evidence of their knowledge, skills and behaviours developed throughout the apprenticeship.
• enables the independent assessor to assess the skills and behaviours of the apprentice by observing the apprentice in the course of their normal work.
• tests the knowledge acquired by the apprentice throughout the apprenticeship.

An end-point assessment will be conducted by an approved independent End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) listed on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR).

The end-point assessment will comprise two assessments. The following assessments must be individually passed for the apprentice to be deemed competent:

• Knowledge Test
• Practical Assessment

On completion of the Level 2 Health and Social Care Foundation Apprenticeship, you can progress to the Level 2 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship, Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship or Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker, as well as pursue further education.