Assistant Practitioner Health & Social Care

This flexible course, validated by Sheffield Hallam University, is a work-based learning award combining health and social care education with existing employment or work experience to develop your skills and competencies for various roles across the health, social or community care sectors. This award is recognised as a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ).

KEY UNITS
This flexible course, validated by Sheffield Hallam University, is a work-based learning award combining health and social care education with existing employment or work experience to develop your skills and competencies for various roles across the health, social or community care sectors. This award is recognised as a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ).

The course can be studied via two routes:

1. Foundation Degree
   Applicants can complete the Foundation Degree study and meet the minimum requirement of 200 hours of suitable work experience in Health & Social Care. This is delivered on Mondays and Fridays in the first year, and applicants must apply for Student Finance for tuition fees.

Applicants are advised to find suitable work experience (paid or unpaid) in a health and social care setting before enrolling on the course. Guidance can be given to prospective students about doing this. Students must have a College Disclosure and Barring Service check (costing approximately £45).

2. Apprenticeship
   Applicants with existing social care or healthcare employment may liaise with their organisation/employer to provide funding for the tuition fees as an apprentice. Students on this route will still obtain the required academic knowledge for the foundation degree, but this is delivered as part of the apprenticeship programme, with one day per week being spent in college.

Both routes include sessions with visiting speakers for holistic interventions with qualified therapists and use of a clinical room for practical activities.

Key units
For learners starting September 2024, there are changes to the modules on the foundation degree;

Level 4
Transition to Higher Education (20 credits) Essential Sciences for Person-Centred Care (40 credits) Integrated Holistic Assessment and Delivery of Health and Social Care Interventions (20 credits) Work-based Learning (40 credits)

Level 5
Transition to Professional Practice (20 credits), Promoting Health, Well-being and Independence (40 credits)Leadership and Management (20 credits) Work-based Learning Practice* (40 credits)

Learners already on Programme will continue with the old specification of modules.
Using and Evaluating Evidence to Inform PracticePromoting Health, Well-being and IndependenceLeadership and ManagementWork-based Learning Practice & 200 hours of suitable work-based learning in Health and Social Care settingPlus, any special requirements for onward progression

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
48 UCAS points GCSE Mathematics grade 4 (or Functional Skills Level 2) GCSE English Language grade 4 (or Functional Skills Level 2)
You will also require an Enhanced DBS and Occupational Health Screening at start of the course.

Suitable experience of working in care or a job in the sector advisable.

WHERE DOES THIS LEAD
Currently, learners may gain direct entry into the second year of the following degrees:
Adult Nursing (BSc) Child Nursing (BSc) Mental Health Nursing (BSc) Paramedic Science (BSc) Physiotherapy (BSc) Occupational Therapy (BSc) Social Work (BA)

Learners who complete the Foundation Degree can progress onto the Top-Up degree at Sheffield Hallam, on the BSc Health & Social Care Studies and potentially BA Working with Children, Young People & Families.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Successful completion of this course enables learners to apply for Band 4 Assistant Practitioner roles in the NHS.

Studying this course also opens up a diverse range of job opportunities.

Course Modules

Key Units
Year 1
Work Based Learning 1 - Academic
Work Based Learning 1 - Practice
Reflective & Personal Development Skills
Essential Science for Person Centred Care
Holistic Assessment, Delivery & Implementation of Health & Social Care Interventions
Foundations for Effective Collaborative Practice

Year 2
Work Based Learning 2 - Academic
Work Based Learning 2 - Practice
Promoting Health, Wellbeing & Independence
Using and Evaluating Evidence to Inform Practice 
Leadership & Management

Assessment methods will include:
Assessment of practice
Written assignments
Interviews
Reflective portfolios
Literature reviews
Case studies
Presentations