CREATIVE ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS IN HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

CREATIVE ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS IN HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

NEW QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS CHANGES TO THE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME Currently, the Creative Academy provides employees the opportunity to achieve their level 2,3,4 or 5 in Health & Social Care/Leadership and Management QCF diploma as part of their continuing professional development. From September 2016, all applicants for the diploma programme (initially level 2 and 3) will automatically be enrolled on the new standards framework as apprentices, which have been written by employers from the health and social care sector An Apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme designed around the needs of employers, which leads to nationally recognised qualifications. It is available to anyone aged 16 and above and is made up of a practical competency component, on-the-job training and off-the-job learning. Thus, our Creative Academy Scholarsips will lead to achieve the apprenticeship standard. As well as Apprenticeships being a practical, cost-effective way to recruit and train new social care employees, it is considered that the standards are a useful learning and development route for their current employees, across all ages and experiences. 92% of employers said that their Apprenticeship programme produces better motivated staff and increased job satisfaction 74% said that apprentices tended to be more loyal, remaining at their company longer than nonapprentices Respondents also said that training apprentices is more cost-effective than hiring skilled staff, leading to lower overall training and recruitment costs Employers can benefit from a more motivated, knowledgeable and competent workforce Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Summary of the new assessment model

HOW THESE CHANGES WILL AFFECT OUR SCHOLARSHIPS From September 2016 the current diploma programme will cease, all new applications will instead become apprentices in line with the Creative Academy Pathway. To be put forward for a Creative Academy Scholarship, the apprentice-to-be is required to be employed to work a minimum of 30 hours per week. Potential applicants will be assessed for their ability to undertake and complete all of the required components of the Apprenticeship framework. This will include pre-set entry requirements to help screen entrants, and identify the correct level of support for their scholarship/apprenticeship. An application is not an automatic right to enrol on the programme, since potential applicants will be required to complete an initial assessment of their literacy and numeracy skills, and then the appropriate scholarship will be allocated. This assessment will also identify any additional support and training required. Apprenticeships are government funded. For this reason, there are some requirements such as Ofsted inspections, targeted timely achievements, employer contributions and mandatory literacy and numeracy qualifications. Off the job learning is a legal requirement for all levels of apprentices and will be built into the learning programme for each apprentice. The apprentice s individual learning plan will have the details of the off the job learning and this has to be agreed and signed by the apprentice, their line manager and the training department. Currently, 20% of their apprenticeship will be off the job learning. Line managers will have to have a more active role in the development of the apprentice. For instance, they will be asked to contribute to the learners reviews and comment on the apprentice s progression and issues/problems as well as to work in partnership with the assessor and learner. It is a requirement for line managers to inform the assessment centre/assessor ASAP if the apprentice is suspended, on long term sick leave or leave the organisation, as this has financial implications. Financial penalties may incur if the apprentice withdraws from the programme without a valid and justifiable reason.

INTRODUCTION TO THE CREATIVE ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS It is a government requirement that all social care workers have a minimum level of health and social care qualification that demonstrates their competence to their job. This means that even staff who have a higher level academic qualification are required to complete the appropriate apprenticeship for their job role, the only exceptions being those who have a nursing qualification or a social work degree as these are higher level vocational qualifications. The Creative Support Assessment Centre is part of the Creative Academy and through our team of assessors we provide all the vocational qualifications needed by our social care staff - including apprenticeships which are know as Creative Academy Scholarship in Health & Social Care. The Centre is approved by two Awarding Bodies, Edexcel and Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance. For this reason, when staff members complete their EPR, they will be encouraged to register for the Creative Academy Scholarship in Health & Social Care relevant for their level. Adult Care Worker Scholarship Level 2 for those starting their career in Health & Social Care Lead Adult Care Scholarship Level 3 is the transition qualification to management for Support Workers (where role will allow) and Senior Support Workers Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Scholarship Level 4 for Senior Support Worker (where role will allow), Support Coordinator and Team Leader Leader in Adult Care Scholarship Level 5 for Team Leader, UBM and Registered Managers

THE CREATIVE ACADEMY PATHWAY All scholarships are tailored to suit the particular work environment and job role through a range of pathways and optional units. As you move on in your career, you will be able to build on your qualifications, achieving units and awards in specialist areas and at different levels. The Creative Academy Scholarship contains the following: Appropriate Level Diploma Functional Skills (Maths & English), Certificate in Performance End Point Assessment Portfolio of Evidence The duration of the Scholarships depends on the level, although it normally takes between 15 and 24 months to be completed

ADULT CARE WORKER SCHOLARSHIP The Adult Care Worker Scholarship in Health and Social Care is our minimum recommended qualification for social care staff. However, in recognition of the role and responsibilities of our care staff, Creative Support offers the Lead Adult Care Scholarship in Health and Social Care to all unqualified senior support workers (and above). The Adult Care Worker Scholarship is available if this is felt to be more appropriate for an individual staff member, as the level for each staff member will be agreed at the first meeting with their assessor. The minimum duration is 12 months. LEAD ADULT CARE WORKER SCHOLARSHIP The Lead Adult Care Worker Scholarship is appropriate for job roles Senior Support Worker and above and is mandatory for staff promoted from support worker to a senior role. The programme lasts for just over a year and learners will be expected to complete their qualification in this time frame. The Lead Adult Care Worker Scholarship is regarded as an A level qualification and includes units on both management and health and social care. Staff applying will need to demonstrate that they perform a range of senior tasks which reflect the national occupational standards in order to be able to meet the evidence requirements for the qualification. The qualification must be part of a career progression plan and meet the needs of the service. It must to be completed between 15 and 18 months.

LEAD PRACTITIONER IN ADULT CARE SCHOLARSHIP The Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Scholarship is designed for those learners looking for a progression route from the Lead Adult Care Worker Scholarship, so that the objective of the qualification is to prepare learners to support a role in the workplace. Therefore, the qualification provides learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills to perform in higher level roles within the adult care sector. Upon successful completion of this qualification, learners may wish to continue their development via the completion of the Leader in Adult Care Scholarship. It must to be completed between 18 and 24 months. LEADER IN ADULT CARE SCHOLARSHIP The Leader in Adult Care Scholarship is appropriate for job roles Team Leader and above, and is now the required qualification for registered managers. This is a qualification programme consisting of 2 induction days and training workshops each is a full day at Head Office or regions with the dates spread throughout the year. Learners are required to attend all sessions. The programme lasts for a minimum of a year and a half and learners will be expected to complete their qualification in this time frame. The Leader scholarship is regarded as a degree level qualification and includes units on both management and health and social care. Staff applying will need to demonstrate that they perform a range of management tasks which reflect the national occupational standards in order to be able to meet the evidence requirements for the qualification. It must to be completed between 18 and 24 months.

SIGN UP REQUIREMENTS Completed application form Completed EPR Managers must commit to release staff from the rota in order to attend mandatory workshops, classroom based learning and assessment tests Staff must have access to internet in order to work on their online portfolio (off the job training) Identified mentor in the workplace Line manager s approval required For both the Lead Practitioner and the Leadership in Health & Social Care Scholarships the approval of service directors is needed Learner is contracted to work over 30 hours per week