No. This is a full-time ‘work-based learning’ programme. This means that a significant portion of your learning takes place in practice. You will be required to attend University 1 day a week for 12 weeks in each term. The remainder of the week will be spent in practice.

No. All your practice learning takes place in your normal work environment. However, if your manager or you think it may be beneficial to gain experience somewhere else in the organisation where you work you can agree this locally, but it not a requirement of the programme.

Your learning takes place at University and in your workplace. In each module you will gain new knowledge, but you will also be expected to apply that knowledge to your everyday work as you go along. To help you achieve this you will be given practice outcomes which focus on what you should do in practice. In some cases this may mean taking on new activities to develop your role further.

These are the modules in each year of the programme:

Year One

• Preparatory academic skills
• Key concepts of health and wellbeing
• Ethical delivery of care and maintenance of health status (including fair and anti-discriminatory practice)
• Assessing needs and planning care 
• Meeting health and social care needs to quality standards
• Introduction to evidence based practice and health informatics
• Promoting communication   in health and social care

Year Two

• Health and safety issues and risk management
• Promoting social inclusion
• Medication management 
• Family and carer support
• Personal development
• Promoting health, well-being, self management and independence
• Care management 
• Collaborative working and professional boundaries

We are aware some of you are returning to study after a break so there is a range of support. In practice your manager will identify a registered practitioner, a mentor, to support your learning in practice. They are responsible to helping you to achieve practice outcomes and will evaluate your performance when you learn new skills.

In addition to this you will have a personal supervisor, who is a lecturer, to help you with the academic aspects of the course such as writing skills, presentations and working in groups. The personal supervisor is also there to provide pastoral support and advice you about the processes you must follow to meet the requirement of the course

You need an NVQ3 or equivalent qualification and a minimum of 2 years in practice as a support worker. If you are unsure about your qualification you can contact Student Information Service for advice on 01904 321321.

No. You will not be asked to pay any fees.

This programme is seen by the University as full-time study which means you are entitled to apply for funding from Student Finance England even though you receive a salary. The amount you receive will depend on your household income.

Here are some of the comments from previous students:

‘I have increase knowledge and understanding of practice’
‘Developed the ability to transfer learning to new situations’
‘I’ve got greater awareness of client needs – more holistic approach’
‘Increased awareness of social as well as healthcare needs’
‘There’s a change in focus - more patient-centred care’
‘Increased confidence in my own ability’
‘I better understand why we do things in practice’
‘See the ‘bigger picture’
‘More logical approach to decision making and enhanced problem-solving skills’ 
‘Question my practice and the practice of others’
‘Less hasty and more independent in my practice’

The purpose of the programme is to prepare you to move on in your career. On successful completion you are in a very good position to apply for a Band 4 Associate/Assistant role. However, the availability of these roles rests with your employer.

It is also important to us that there are career opportunities beyond this and you may wish to continue your studies and/or to consider becoming a registered nurse. If so, there are 2 options available at the University of York. You can either pursue a BSc in Healthcare Practice which gives you a full degree. This will take an additional year. The other option is a BSc Nursing with professional registration. This requires a further 2 years of study.

You have guaranteed progression to either of these options if you successfully complete the Associate Practitioner programme (Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care: Associate Practitioner).