People are at the heart of healthcare and social services. If you have a passion for improving lives and helping others, a career in this rewarding field could be for you.
A Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare helps you prepare for a wide range of different care roles, such as:
- Adult or children's nurse
- Care assistant
- Care home manager
- Residential support worker
- Social worker
Over 161,000 people are currently employed by NHS Scotland. The number of jobs are still growing, and there are great opportunities for progression, too.
What's the qualification?
You’ll gain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare, which is the same level of learning as an SQA Higher (SCQF level 6).
This includes:
- A National Progression Award (NPA) in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF level 6
- Core units of an SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF level 6
- A work placement
What will I learn?
For your National Progression Award, your topics will be:
- Social Services in Scotland
- Safeguarding People
- Communication in Care Relationships
- Safe Practice and Wellbeing in Social Services
- Human Development and Social Influences
To achieve your SVQ units, you’ll be assessed as part of your work placement. You’ll learn how to:
- Support effective communication
- Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals
- Develop your own knowledge and practice
- Support the safeguarding of individuals
Your Foundation Apprenticeship will also help you to develop core skills valued by employers, particularly:
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Working with others
- Time management
These transferable skills are necessary and highly desirable for working in a range of other related jobs.
Where could it take me?
Your Foundation Apprenticeship gives you lots of options: it’s up to you where you go next.
- A Modern Apprenticeship: On completing your Foundation Apprenticeship, you’ll have already achieved core units which can support your progression to the higher level Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare, giving you a head start.
- Further Education: Continue your studies at college, with an HNC or HND in a social services or healthcare subject. Your workplace experience will support your college application.
- University: Foundation Apprenticeships are recognised as equivalent to SQA Highers by all Scottish universities. You’ll already have quality experience in the industry – this will make your UCAS stand out from the crowd. This apprenticeship also provides you with 42 UCAS tariff points. Find out more about points on the UCAS website.
- Straight to a job: Use your qualification and work experience to find a job in the social services and healthcare industry.
How will it work?
You'll complete your Foundation Apprenticeship alongside your other school subjects. You'll spend time working on projects supported by a learning provider, like a college, as well as an employer. It'll give you an industry recognised qualification which will look great on your CV.
How to apply
If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.
You can use the search tool to find out if this subject is available at your school. Then just fill out the form to let us know you're interested, and we'll get back to you with more information.