Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship

Course Overview

This occupation is found in the health and care sector. Senior healthcare support workers work in a range of settings for example in a hospital, as part of a community team, in a day-case unit, birthing centre, individual’s homes, operating theatres, nursing or care homes, hospices and in general practice.

The broad purpose of the occupation is support registered healthcare professionals in the delivery of high quality and compassionate health and care services. A senior healthcare support worker will provide clinical, therapeutic or diagnostic care under the direct or indirect supervision of a registered healthcare professional.

15 months + EPA

Once an apprentice has completed their apprenticeship, they will be ‘signed off’ by their employer/ provider as ready for end-point assessment of their knowledge and practical capabilities. In most cases, the assessment will be graded and must show the apprentice is fully competent and productive in the occupation.

End Point Assessment consists of:

Multiple Choice Test
Observation of Practice
Learning Journal and Interview

Fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or 95% government-funded for eligible employers, with minimal contribution required.

To successfully achieve this qualification you will be an experienced support worker, you will carry out a range of clinical and non-clinical healthcare or therapeutic tasks, under the direct or indirect supervision of the registered healthcare practitioner.

Candidates must undertake the Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. The Care Certificate must be achieved as part of the Apprenticeship Standard.

Employers may also provide additional entry criteria.

Learners aged 18 who do not have exemptions will still be required to achieve Level 2 Functional Skills.

Learners over 19 will have the option to either opt in or out of Functional Skills training and examinations. For those who choose to opt out, Fareport remains committed to supporting all learners in developing their literacy and numeracy skills by embedding these essential topics within the curriculum and assessments of the apprenticeship.

To be eligible for an Apprenticeship you (or the apprentice) must:

Be living and working in England
Be 16 years old or above
Have the legal right to work in the UK
Have maintained UK residency for the last 3 years
Be employed in a real job; they may be an existing employee or a new hire
Work towards achieving an approved apprenticeship standard or framework
Work at least 30 hours a week
Be able to commit to the apprenticeship and its requirements
Not hold a prior qualification at the same or higher level in the same subject area
Not undertake or benefit from DfE funding during their apprenticeship programme, including Student Loans.
Have apprenticeship training and employment that lasts at least 12 months.

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Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours

Knowledge (K) – The theoretical understanding an apprentice needs to perform their role effectively. This includes industry-specific principles, regulations, and best practices.

K1: Core: The legislation, policies, standards, local ways of working and codes of conduct that apply to own role.
K2: Core: The scope of practice, limitations of own competence, including limitations of own role in relation to medication and who to ask for support.
K3: Core: The principles of ‘person-centred care and support’, including principles of equality, diversity and inclusion, active participation, consent and choice.
K4: Core: The principles of a ‘duty of care’ and ‘safeguarding’, the signs of abuse and ways to reduce the risk of abuse.
K5: Core: National and local definitions of health and well-being and priorities for promoting public health and reducing inequalities.
K6: Core: The availability of services to support individuals with lifestyle choices and how to make a referral if required.
K7: Core: The signs and symptoms that an individual’s health and wellbeing is changing, including the role of prescribed medication.
K8: Core: The signs and symptoms that an individual is in pain, distress or discomfort.
K9: Core: The principles of hydration, nutrition and food safety.
K10: Core: Communication techniques to maximise understanding including for individuals with specific communication needs or wishes.
K11: Core: The meaning of ‘capacity’, the differences between mental illness, dementia and learning disability and the impact of these conditions on an individual’s needs.
K12: Core: The principles of infection prevention and control and the importance of good personal hygiene, hand hygiene and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
K13: Core: Local systems and processes to manage the supply, storage, use and safe disposal of stocks and supplies.
K14: Core: The principles of safe moving and assisting individuals, and moving and handling equipment.
K15: Core: The meaning of ‘risk’ in the workplace, ways to raise concerns and own responsibilities in relation to incidents, errors and near misses.
K16: Core: Techniques and principles to safely perform basic life support.
K17: Core: The common causes of conflict and how to respond to them in the workplace.
K18: Core: The importance of continuing personal and professional development.
K19: Core: The local arrangements for appraisal of performance in the workplace.
K20: Core: The principles of reflective practice.
K21: Core: Ways to record and store information securely, including the safe use of technology.
K22: Core: The principles of confidentiality, duty of confidence and disclosure.
K23: Core: The principles of ‘quality improvement’ and ways to measure quality in the workplace.
K24: Core: The principles of investigatory techniques, research and evidence-based practice, and how to access existing evidence and use it to validate and improve practice
K25: Core: The principles of critical thinking and methods of critical appraisal.
K26: Core: The principles and styles of leadership in relation to own role and place of work.
K27: Core: The relationship and differences between leadership, management, supervision and mentoring.
K28: Core: The physiological states, their normal ranges and the correct tools or equipment to use to measure them.

More information on the Standard is available here.

Skills (S) – The practical abilities developed through training and hands-on experience. These are the technical and transferable skills required for the job.

S1: Core: Work in line with legislation, policies, standards, local ways of working and codes of conduct that apply to own role.
S2: Core: Work within the scope of practice, the limits of own knowledge and skills, escalating and reporting to others when needed.
S3: Core: Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide safe and non-discriminatory person-centred care and support with individuals’ established consent.
S4: Core: Implement a duty of care, recognising and responding to safeguarding and protection concerns and acting in the best interest of individuals to ensure they do not come to harm.
S5: Core: Support individuals to make informed and positive lifestyle choices.
S6: Core: Actively seek out and act on opportunities to support individuals to maximise their health, well-being and positive lifestyle choices.
S7: Core: Recognise and respond to changes in an individual’s health and wellbeing.
S8: Core: Recognise and respond to the signs and symptoms that an individual is in pain, distress or discomfort to maximise comfort and well-being.
S9: Core: Promote and monitor access to fluids and nutrition in line with an individual’s care plan.
S10: Core: Communicate with individuals, their families, carers and others in the workplace using techniques designed to facilitate understanding.
S11: Core: Recognise and respond to limitations in an individual’s mental capacity.
S12: Core: Maintain a safe and healthy working environment, using infection prevention and control techniques including hand washing, sanitisation, disinfection and personal protective equipment (PPE).
S13: Core: Maintain the safe supply, storage, use and disposal of supplies and equipment.
S14: Core: Move and handle equipment or other items safely and assist individuals.
S15: Core: Take appropriate action in response to concerns, risks, incidents or errors and near misses arising in the workplace.
S16: Core: Perform basic life support techniques.
S17: Core: Recognise and respond to potential conflict, challenging behaviour or an escalating situation.
S18: Core: Undertake own training and development activities and contribute to the training and development of others.
S19: Core: Participate in appraisal to support professional development.
S20: Core: Reflect on and develop your own practice.
S21: Core: Record and store information related to individuals securely, including the safe use of technology.
S22: Core: Report and share information related to individuals securely and in line with local and national policies, maintaining confidentiality, duty of confidence and disclosure.
S23: Core: Participate in and support others with quality improvement activities in the workplace.
S24: Core: Use investigatory techniques to source evidence to validate and improve the delivery of care and support within own scope of practice.
S25: Core: Critically appraise sources of information and apply to practice.
S26: Core: Provide leadership and act as a role model for others within the scope of own role.
S27: Core: Contribute to mentoring and supervision of others in the workplace within the scope of own role.
S28: Core: Undertake physiological measurements, selecting and using the correct tools or equipment.

Behaviours (B) – The professional attitudes and values expected in the workplace. These include teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and ethical responsibility.

B1: Core: Treat people with dignity.
B2: Core: Show respect and empathy.
B3: Core: Be adaptable, reliable and consistent.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Off-the-job training is a mandatory requirement for all apprenticeships in the UK. It ensures that apprentices develop the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSBs) outlined in their apprenticeship standard, beyond their day-to-day work duties.

How Much Off-the-Job Training is Required?
Apprentices must spend the equivalent of 6 hours per week on off-the-job training, which must take place during their normal working hours. This structured learning approach is designed to enhance their professional development and directly relate to their apprenticeship programme.

What Activities Count as Off-the-Job Training?
Off-the-job training can be delivered in various ways, including:
✔ Training sessions with Fareport – workshops, workbooks, online learning, and assignments
✔ Employer-led training – mentoring, job shadowing, and workplace projects
✔ Industry-related learning – attending relevant seminars, courses, or training events

This training can take place at the apprentice’s usual workplace or offsite, but it must always be completed within their normal working hours.

How is Off-the-Job Training Planned?
At Fareport Training, we work closely with employers and apprentices to plan and document off-the-job training within the Training Agreement. This ensures a structured learning journey that aligns with business needs while meeting apprenticeship requirements.

By dedicating time to off-the-job training, apprentices gain valuable knowledge and experience, helping them develop professionally and contribute more effectively to their workplace.

Fareport Training is an Ofsted ‘Good’ work-based training provider, delivering apprenticeships and commercial training to employers aiming to enhance their workforce’s skills and qualifications (indeed.com).

Established in 1981, Fareport has a longstanding reputation for high-quality training across various sectors.

Benefits of Partnering with Fareport:

Enhanced Skills and Productivity: Employers have reported that apprenticeships through Fareport help develop relevant skills, improve productivity, and enhance the quality of products or services.

Comprehensive Support: Fareport collaborates closely with employers to design high-quality teaching sessions tailored to business requirements, ensuring that apprentices gain substantial new knowledge, skills, and behaviors applicable to their roles (files.ofsted.gov.uk).

Employee Development and Retention: By investing in apprenticeships, employers can grow their own talent, leading to improved employee morale and loyalty.

Collaborating with Fareport Training enables organisations to effectively upskill their workforce, fostering growth and maintaining a competitive edge in their respective industries.

Yes, Fareport Training operate across all of England. You can undertake your training at your workplace and live online with our trainers.

An apprenticeship in the UK is a paid position that combines practical on-the-job training with academic learning, leading to nationally recognised qualifications. Typically, apprentices spend around 20% of their working hours on classroom, 1-2-1 or individual learning, while the remainder is dedicated to hands-on work experience. This structure allows individuals to earn a salary while gaining valuable skills and credentials in their chosen field. Apprenticeships are for new employees as well as existing employees.

A career in Health and Social Care offers diverse opportunities and the change to make a meaningful impact. Learners secure roles as care and home workers, nursing auxiliaries, senior care workers, and care managers.

The sector is in high demand, with an estimated need for 500,000 additional workers by 2040, driven by an ageing population and evolving healthcare needs.
Health and Social Care is a rewarding and growing field, providing fulfilling career paths for those passionate about supporting others.

No, you are only eligible to study our courses if you are living or working in England and meet all our eligibility criteria.

As of November 2025, the UK apprentice minimum wage is £7.55 per hour for apprentices under 19 or in their first year.

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:

Aged under 19
Aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they both aged 19 or over and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships in the UK offer a multitude of benefits for both individuals and employers.

For Individuals:
Earning While Learning: Apprentices receive a salary during their training, allowing them to gain work experience without incurring student debt (Moneyhelper).
Nationally Recognised Qualifications: Completing an apprenticeship provides credentials that are respected across industries, enhancing employability (MKCollege.ac.uk).
Practical Experience: Apprentices develop hands-on skills in real-world settings, making them valuable assets to employers (Apprenticeships.gov.uk).
Career Advancement: Many apprentices secure permanent positions post-training, with opportunities for further education and career progression (MKCollege.ac.uk).

For Employers:
Cost-Effective Recruitment: Apprenticeships can reduce hiring expenses by developing talent internally (FDMGroup.com).
Enhanced Employee Retention: Investing in apprenticeships often leads to higher staff loyalty and job satisfaction (Apprenticeships.gov.uk).
Addressing Skill Shortages: Tailored training ensures employees possess skills aligned with business needs (FDMGroup.com).
Diversity and Inclusion: Apprenticeships promote a varied workforce, enriching company culture and perspectives (Apprenticeships.gov.uk).

Overall, apprenticeships serve as a strategic approach to workforce development, benefiting both the apprentice and the employer.

Why Learn with Fareport Training?

Established in 1983, we’ve been helping people & businesses grow for over 40 years.

40+ Years’ Experience

Ranked in the top 25% of training providers inspected in England by Ofsted. Trusted by employers, councils & learners alike for over 40 years.

Expert Trainers

Our trainers are highly experienced professionals who bring real subject-based knowledge & skills to every session.

Career Support

We don’t just train you – with some of our courses we help you find work with CV support, interview coaching, and employer connections.

Course Reviews

The course has enhanced my analytical skills, improved my proficiency with tools like Python and Power BI, and strengthened my ability to communicate data insights effectively, benefiting both my personal growth and my contributions at work.

I had the pleasure of learning from Nick during my data analytics course with Fareport Training. His deep knowledge and engaging teaching style made complex concepts easy to grasp. Nick is not only an excellent tutor but also genuinely caring, providing support and encouragement throughout the learning process. He emphasises the importance of people, relationships and collaboration in data-driven work, which inspired me to think critically about the impact of data. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to excel in the field.

Very pleased and lucky I found – and signed up for – the course. It’s given me the foundations to move forward with my business in a more strategic direction. Would highly recommend to any business owner.

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