Revised Senior Health Support Worker Standard and Mandatory Qualification

16 March, 2022

The work to review the apprenticeship standard and assessment plan for the Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker (ST0217) is nearing completion. Once the apprenticeship is approved for delivery, the revised standard, assessment plan and funding band will be published on the IfATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education) website. Training providers will then have 180 days to prepare for the new standard. During this time period, training providers may continue to register apprentices on the current standard.

The revised standard will retain the requirement for a mandatory qualification, the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support. Awarding organisations are currently working together with Skills for Health to review the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support to ensure that it continues to align with the revised apprenticeship standard. The intention is that the revised qualification will be available for registration at the same time as apprentices start training on the revised standard. Awarding organisations will be undertaking consultation activities in the summer to engage the sector in the qualification review work.

Summary of estimated timelines

End May 2022:

  • Publication of the revised standard, assessment plan and funding band on the IfATE website
  • Start of 180 days’ notice period

July/August 2022:

  • Sector consultation on the qualification review

December 2022:

  • Apprentices register on the new standard
  • Operational start date of the new Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support