COURSE

L4 Apprenticeship Standard for Lead Practitioner in Adult Care

The Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Apprenticeship Standard is suitable for individuals who are managing teams of frontline carers to look after vulnerable adults with care needs. They will have specialist skills and knowledge in their area of responsibilities which will allow them to lead in areas such as care needs assessment, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and enablement, telecare and assistive technology. They will be a coach and mentor to others and will have a role in assessing performance and quality of care delivery.

The Lead Practitioner in Adult Care will guide and inspire team members to make positive differences to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional, psychological or intellectual challenges. They may work in residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care, day centres, a person’s own home or some clinical healthcare settings. As well as covering Lead Practitioners in Adult Care this standard also covers Lead Personal Assistants who can work at this senior level, but they may only work directly for one individual who needs support and/or care services, usually within their own home.

Job Roles this qualification is suitable for:

Examples of a job role this qualification is suitable for but not limited to are:

• Dementia Lead
• Reablement Worker
• Physiotherapy Assistant
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Public Health Associate Worker
• Keeping in Contact Worker
• Community Care/Support Officer
• Social Care Assessor
• Care Assessment Officer
• Social Services Officer
• Brokerage Worker
• Rehabilitation and Reablement Assistant
• Independence Support Assistant
• Reablement Support Workers/Officer
• Telecare Assistant
• Assistive Technology Co-ordinator/Officer

Entry Requirements:

• Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to completion of their Apprenticeship.
• For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.

How long will it take to complete?

The qualification usually takes around 18 – 21 months. However, it is possible to complete earlier depending on existing achievement and individual circumstances. This can be discussed with your tutor.

Aims of this qualification:

The aim of this qualification is to support the apprentice’s understanding of the 3 key areas covering Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs). The apprentice will learn about:

• Tasks and responsibilities according to the job role
• Dignity and human rights
• Effective communication skills
• Safeguarding of adults and children including reporting requirements
• Person-centred approaches to promote health and wellbeing
• Professional development
• 6 C’s: Care, Compassion, Courage, Communication, Competence and Commitment

How is it delivered:

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) remotely via Zoom 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.

Learning outcomes:

• Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Apprenticeship Standard
• Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care
• Level 2 Functional Skills in English
• Level 2 Functional Skills in maths

On-Programme Learning:

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

Assessment Gateway:

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

• Achieve Level 2 in English and maths Functional Skills.
• Receive confirmation from the employer that the apprentice is working consistently at or above the level set out in the lead practitioner in adult care apprenticeship standard.
• Complete Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care.
• Submit a portfolio to underpin the professional discussion.

The purpose of the end-point assessment is to test (in a synoptic way) the skills, knowledge 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.

End Point Assessment:

An end-point assessment will be conducted by staff from an Independent End-Point Assessment Organisation (IEPAO) approved by the Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations.

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

• Observation of Practice:The observation of practice ensures the apprentice has the ability to demonstrate their skills, behaviour and leadership to external/internal stakeholders. It will typically be comprised of 60 minutes of direct observation of the agreed activity, followed by 15 minutes of post-observation questioning by the independent assessor. The selected activity must be based on a real-life improvement to the apprentice’s employer and the people who use their services. The assessment methods may be conducted face-to-face or via an online platform e.g., videoconferencing as appropriate.  Grading for Observation of Practice: Pass

• Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio:A professional discussion is a 90 minutes in-depth, two-way discussion between the apprentice and the independent assessor. It draws out the best of the apprentice’s competence and excellence and covers the KSBs assigned to this assessment method. It will allow the apprentice to evidence both the knowledge gained and its application through skills and behaviours.  The portfolio must cover the KSBs associated with the professional discussion. It should typically consist of six pieces of evidence providing examples of how the apprentice met the relevant KSBs. The evidence should be holistic and illustrate how the apprentice has applied the KSBs to their working practice.  Grading for Professional Discussion: Pass/Distinction. Overall apprenticeship standard grade: Pass/Distinction

Progression routes:

This standard provides the foundation for progression to a number of career paths in the care services sector including adult care roles. The apprentice can also progress to the Level 5 Leader in Adult Care Apprenticeship standard which includes the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care.