There are currently about 22,000 physiotherapists in the NHS in England. It takes new entrants 3 years to train as a physiotherapist and learners will complete a degree before registering with the Health and Care Professions Council. This allows them to use the protected title of Physiotherapist.
Physiotherapists are assisted in the workplace by support workers and they work in partnership with other healthcare professionals like Occupational Therapists, Nurses and Doctors to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients. They can be found in different healthcare settings such as hospitals, GP surgeries or out in the community. Some physiotherapists work in the private or independent sector including with sports teams or charities.
Later in their careers, a qualified physiotherapist may wish to develop additional clinical skills and knowledge, moving into more advanced or specialist roles. Alternatively they may to move into other areas like education or into a strategic leadership role.
The health sector is keen to use apprenticeships to bring in new staff and to enhance the careers and skills of their existing workforce. Apprenticeships are an excellent way for organisations to ‘grow their own’ Physiotherapy teams and the apprentice benefits by being a paid employee whilst training.
Apprenticeship occupations in this family include:
- Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker
- Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker
- Level 5 Assistant Practitioner (Health)
- Level 6 Physiotherapist (Degree) (HCPC 2022)
- Level 6 Enhanced Clinical Practitioner
- Level 7 Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Degree)
Follow the links to see more about each apprenticeship including the stage of development, funding band and duration. You can also download the standard and end point assessment documents as well as checking the training providers and end point assessment organisations that may be available.
Pathways Tool
You can access our Pathways Tool here.
This tool allows you to see more about how apprentices may progress from one occupation to another.
Case Studies
- Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust – Case Study
- Case Study: Oliva Wootton – Level 6 Physiotherapist (Integrated Degree)
Resources
- IfATE Occupational Maps – Useful for exploring apprenticeships by occupational route
- Health Careers – Physiotherapy Assistants/Support Workers
- Apprenticeship Costing Calculator / Planning Tools
- Physiotherapist (Degree) apprenticeship – Information pack
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapy – apprenticeship section
- Enhanced Clinical Practitioner – Employer Guidance