top of page
Apprenticeships
Why choose an Apprenticeship in Adult Health and Social Care?
Apprenticeships can be mutually beneficial for both the employer and staff.
Apprenticeships in health and social care enable individuals to learn and earn a wage while making a real difference in people's lives. They offer the opportunity to gain new skills, knowledge, practical experience and a qualification regardless of whether they are entering the industry or already working at management level. This means companies like yours can nurture talent and create a more motivated and competent team by employing someone new or upskilling existing employees.
Benefits of Apprenticeships for Learners
Get paid to learn & gain hands on experience – Apprenticeships provide learning opportunities, experience, expert knowledge and support from experienced professionals, while earning an income.
Gain industry-recognised qualifications – An apprenticeship offers industry-recognised qualifications, validating the skills and knowledge you have acquired, and demonstrating value to future employers.
Benefits of Apprenticeships for Employers
Improved productivity & staff retention – An apprenticeship program benefits staff by providing continuous support and the opportunity to apply their freshly learned skills and knowledge and progress at any stage in their career. Therefore, it increases staff retention and reduces turnover, as it created a happier and more motivated workforce. Similarly, entry-level apprenticeships are often the first full-time positions, fostering satisfaction and loyalty.
Promote diversity in your workforce – Apprenticeships are advantageous for candidates as it's open to everyone and offers diverse career options, creating a sense of belonging. Apprenticeships can also benefit you as an employer as it attracts candidates from diverse backgrounds, widening the talent pool.
Competent Carers and managers – Apprenticeships offer flexible learning opportunities and on-the-job training, which efficiently fills skills gaps in an organisation and ensures the learner is confident and competent in their role, regardless of their management level.
-
Who can enrol on a diploma?Anyone aged 16 or over who works (or has access to work) in a care setting. You don’t need prior qualifications or GCSEs.
-
How long does it take to complete a diploma?Most learners complete their qualification in 6 to 12 months, depending on their pace and work commitments.
-
Is all the learning online?Yes. Learning is delivered entirely online via our Myrus learner platform, giving you access to study materials, assessments and tutor support anytime.
-
What about face-to-face sessions?There are no classroom sessions. However, your practical skills will be assessed through observations at your workplace, carried out by a qualified CareShield coach.
-
Do I need Maths or English qualifications?No. Functional skills are not required for our diploma programmes. You’ll focus on the knowledge and skills directly related to your care role.
-
What support will I receive?You'll have access to an experienced tutor throughout your course. They’ll support you with learning, provide feedback, and schedule your workplace observations.
-
How is the diploma assessed?You’ll complete a portfolio of evidence including: Written assignments Practical tasks Workplace observations by a CareShield coach
-
Can I do this while working full time?Yes! Our diplomas are designed to fit around your shifts and duties with no disruption to your working hours.
-
Employer FAQs: Why should I enrol my team on diplomas?Diplomas enhance practical care skills, boost confidence, and support career progression—all while your staff continue working.
-
Employer FAQs: Can we fund the diploma ourselves?Yes. Diplomas can be employer-funded, or learners can choose to self-fund. We also offer flexible payment options.
-
Employer FAQs: Is external funding available?Yes – employers may be eligible for LDSS support. We can guide you through the process.
-
Employer FAQs: What makes a diploma different from an apprenticeship?Diplomas: • Are shorter and more flexible • Don’t require off-the-job hours or Maths/English • Focus purely on care knowledge and skills • Have no End Point Assessment
-
Employer FAQs: Can I track progress?Yes. The Myrus platform allows you to monitor learner progress, view milestones, and generate reports for your team.
-
Employer FAQs: Will my staff need to take time off?No. Learning is online and fully flexible. Observations take place in the workplace during normal shifts, led by our coaches.
-
Employer FAQs: Can we enrol multiple learners?Absolutely. We regularly onboard groups and can tailor delivery to suit your team’s needs.
-
What Apprenticeship standards do you offer?Adult Care Worker L2 Lead Adult Care Worker L3 Lead Practitioner L4 Leader In Adult Care L5
-
How long will it take to complete?The length of an Apprenticeship can be anything from 12 to 21 Months. Check the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) website for specific course information - https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/
-
How much will it cost?The funding band for Levels 2 and 3 is £4000 per learner. The funding band for Levels 4 and 5 is £7000 per learner. The UK Government fund 95% of this if your company is a non levy payer. Cost to the non levy employer is 5% which will only ever be £200 for Levels 2 and 3 or £350 for Levels 4 and 5 (invoiced via CareShield finance).
-
Is there any additional funding available for an employer?If a small to medium enterprise (SME) that is not a levy payer, hire a 16-18 year old or a 19-24 year old (on an EHC plan or in care) will receive £1000 as a grant. This grant is paid in 2x £500 parts after month 3 and month 12 have been completed. Local Authorities may run additional incentives so be sure to check.
-
How often do the coaches visit?Coaches will visit every 4 weeks. In person for Levels 2 and 3, and virtually for Levels 4 and 5.
-
Is training delivered in person or remotely?Training is delivered both in person and remotely. Levels 2 and 3 are delivered via online training and in person. Levels 4 and 5 are delivered 100% remotely.
-
What’s in it for me as an employer?There are so many benefits to a company investing in developing their workforce: Ensures the development of the relevant skills within your workforce Enable and supports growth Supports recruitment and retention Government funding – saves money Improves Morale Offers Career progression Adds credibility to your brand Recognised across different job markets and specialisms Reinforces Diversity and inclusion CareShield does all of the above and Offers Full Visibility of learner progress via Myrus Workforce Development Platform Offers Level 2 to Level 5 in Care Level 4 and above is a cost effective way to recruit high quality leadership talent Provides an educational framework for developing existing staff Utilises both in person and digital remote delivery for a blended learning experience
-
How do CareShield qualify Assessors and Coaches?Each coach must have a minimum of 5 years experience in the care industry. Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Process: IQA to monitor and assess coaches Team Leaders who look after the day to day running of coaches.
-
How can Line Managers track their employee’s progress on their apprenticeship?Learner progress is monitored primarily by the Line Manager and the Coach communicating. However, with the right permissions a Line Manager can view, track and report on their employee's progress through CareShield's Myrus Apprenticeships platform Part of CareShield's Apprenticeship Delivery and Management Service, your Myrus Apprenticeships Platform enables you to easily track, review and report on your learner's progress in real time, ensuring you are always up to date and in control of your investments in personal development across your entire organisation. See in an instant the status of all Apprentices in each group then delve deeper into individual sites and learner progress. For each individual Myrus Apprenticeships gives you access to their status, progress, planned and completed activity along with their eLearning, OTJ hours and ePortfolio. In addition to helping you monitor your Apprenticeships Myrus helps you monitor management and coaching performance and actively encourages and engages with your organisation to support your learner programmes. The Line Manage can also always request progress from the Apprenticeship team and request to attend any of the coaching sessions.
-
What is the course content of an Apprenticeship?You can get course content on the IFATE website the following links refer to each of the standards Careshield deliver – Adult Care Worker Level 2 - https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/adult-care-worker-v1-1 Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3- https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/lead-adult-care-worker-v1-1 Lead Practitioner in Adult care Level 4 - https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/lead-practitioner-in-adult-care-v1-0 Leader in Adult Care Level 5 - https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/leader-in-adult-care-v1-0
-
Can I use multiple provider’s?Yes, a business can use multiple providers. You will need our UKPRN number to identify from others on your DAS portal. CareShield's UKPRN number is 10045389.
-
Once an employer agrees to upskilling their workforce, or putting someone on an apprenticeship, what happens next?CareShield's Admissions Team will get in touch with the Learner soon after the Learners detail have been provided to them. The Admissions Team will take the Learner through initial assessments (BKSB’s) and a Skills Scan to identify prior knowledge and understanding. They will also carry out the necessary compliance checks (Rights to Work, Health and Safety etc.). Learners will then be assigned a Coach who will create a tailored training plan. The Coach will book the Learner onto an induction and give them a “Start on programme” date. Typically this process takes 1-2 weeks.
-
Is there an age limit on someone who can do an Apprenticeship?There is no upper age limit but Learners must be over 16.
-
Are Apprenticeships only for young people (16-24 years old)?Not at all. Apprenticeships are not age dependant other than the Learner has to be 16 years or older to start one. The majority or Apprenticeships in Care are undertaken by older Learners, particularly at Levels 4 and 5.
-
What time does the organisation have to dedicate to the learners Apprenticeship?It is the Employers responsibility to support the Learner in partnership with the Coach. Employers need to: Nominate a Mentor for the learner Offer guidance and day to day support Take part in regular progress reviews Ensure the Learner has the opportunity to fulfil their off the job training obligation
-
Can current employees sign up for an Apprenticeship?Yes. To be an apprentice you must have a contract of employment and be paid at least the minimum wage.
bottom of page