Care Leadership & Management (Framework)
Higher Apprenticeship in Care Leadership and Management Level 5
Description
The Apprenticeship framework contributes towards developing a social care sector with a skilled, flexible and effective workforce whilst maintaining high quality and safe care for those who use services. Through completion of this Apprenticeship learners will gain high level skills, thus increasing access to Further and Higher Education.
This qualification provides learners with the skills and knowledge needed to manage, practice and lead others in Adult Health and Social Care provision or in Children and Young People’s Services.
The following topics are covered within this qualification :
- Safeguarding and protection
- Managing care services
- Supporting development and partnership working
- Contributing to broader activities such as change programmes and recruitment
- Complying with quality systems and continuously improving quality
- Developing and carrying out policy
- Promoting and developing best practice
- Care management.
Entry conditions
Working a minimum of 30 hours per week in an appropriate setting
Level 3 qualification or significant experience in the health and social care sector
Potential apprentices should however be willing to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service formerly known as CRB – Criminal Records Bureau) check. Employers in social care and in the health sector carry out DBS checks, as this is a requirement for those working in the sectors, and certain offences may disqualify potential apprentices from employment in these sectors and thus automatically preclude them from completing the framework. Potential apprentices should therefore discuss any relevant matters with their employer prior to enrolment.
Whilst there are no formal criteria, people who successfully complete apprenticeships and continue to work in the sector most often exhibit empathy, care and interest in others and want to work in the health or social care sector. Whilst it is practical to upskill staff, successful apprentices tend to come with the values and attitudes compatible with the roles they will be working in.
Potential apprentices should have a suitable level of physical fitness and ability to perform some aspects of the job roles. These may, for example, involve assisting in moving and handling of people.
Examples of desirable skills and attributes in potential apprentices could include:
- Motivation to succeed within the sector/s
- Good interpersonal skills, effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Respect for people who use the services as individuals
- A suitable level of physical fitness may be necessary in order to perform some aspects of the job roles, for example, assisting and moving people who use the services.
- Willingness to undertake training and learning programmes and apply that learning in the workplace
- The ability to demonstrate that they have the potential to complete the Diploma in Health and Social Care and other qualifications that are part of the Apprenticeship framework
- Willingness and ability to work both long shifts and irregular shift patterns as across the health and social care sectors provision of care has to be available twenty four hours a day willingness to undertake personal care which includes assistance with dressing, feeding, washing and toileting, as well as advice, encouragement and emotional and psychological support
- An ability to work in small informal teams, demonstrating their listening skills and contributing towards decision making and practice as well as working in more formal teams following procedures
- A positive non-judgemental and open-minded attitude and value-system
- A standard of literacy and numeracy in keeping with the demands of the job
- Willingness to undergo a DBS check which is mandatory for all those working directly with patients or service users in the health and social care sectors
- A driving licence may be considered necessary by some employers
Progression
Learners may progress from this pathway onto further qualifications specific to their work context. A wide range of qualifications are available for use within the social care sector.
Apprentices can also move to other parts of the sector, for example from adults’ advanced practice to adults’ residential management. They can also move to the Children and Young
People’s Workforce sector or the Health sector, completing additional sector and job-relevant units available on the diploma. They may also seek recognition of their prior learning in the QCF to achieve entry, credit transfer or advanced standing for a higher education qualification at a University.
