Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Apprenticeship (AFHSC)

This qualification develops the knowledge and skills for all those who wish to work in a supervised support role within healthcare workforce settings in England. It is made up of a mixture of mandatory units, and optional units based on skills or knowledge. It has specialised units for learners wishing to become healthcare support staff.

This Apprenticeship Framework provides the skills and knowledge required to become competent in supporting the wider healthcare team. Apprentices are employed in various support roles e.g. porter, housekeeper, switchboard operator, catering, gardener, records management, HSDU Technician etc. These roles are central to the smooth running of healthcare services. Apprentices gain the new skills and learning they need to carry out these job roles as well as preparing them for future employment and career progression within the health sector.

The purpose of this qualification is to guide and assess the development of knowledge and skills relating to the health workforce. This qualification confirms competence in a range of healthcare support service skills.

Topics covered include:

Infection prevention and control

Cleaning, decontamination and waste management

Record maintenance

Food safety and preparation

Providing care and support for patients.

All units are internally assessed. Assessment enables the learner’s workplace practice to provide

evidence for individual units as well as the whole qualification. Methods of assessment could include:

Direct observation

Witness evidence when directed by the sector skills assessment strategy

Professional discussion

Written assignments

The qualification will be pass or refer and all the assessment criteria of the chosen units must be achieved in order to obtain a pass

There are no formal entry requirements for these qualifications but learner will need to be at least 16 years of age

Learners will need to have completed DBS checks

Learners will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement as they need to show competence in both knowledge and skills

You will need to find an employer to employ you as an apprentice.

Learners may progress from this pathway onto further qualifications specific to their work context. A wide range of qualifications are available for use within the health sector. These may include further apprenticeship frameworks (e.g. Advanced Apprenticeship in Health (Healthcare Support Services), qualifications or other work-related education and training to support Continuing Professional Development.

Many healthcare support apprentices complete their apprenticeships and continue to work as healthcare support workers in roles relating to the units they have selected within their competence qualification (e.g. Domestic Assistant, Porter, Catering Assistant, etc.). Others may wish to move into a clinical role and may select to undertake a clinical qualification or apprenticeship (e.g. Advanced Apprenticeship in Health (Clinical Healthcare Support). A Higher Apprenticeship in Health (Assistant Practitioner) is available which an apprentice may proceed onto as they progress in their career if they are able to meet the employment and academic requirements. This will enable them to practice as an Assistant Practitioner.