Level 7 Apprenticeships to Continue for Some Roles

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have today announced the continuation of some Level 7 Apprenticeships.

A commitment has been made for the continued funding of Level 7 apprenticeships in five professions in health and social care until 2029. The apprenticeship funding had been thrown into doubt by a statement from the Department of Education earlier this year.

The Level 7 Mitigation Fund will support the delivery of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and the continued professional development of some health and care staff.

The five professions included are:

• Advanced clinical practitioner
• Specialist community public health nurse
• District nurse (Community Specialist Practice Qualification)
• Clinical associate in psychology (CAP)
• Population health intelligence specialists (PHIS).

District Nurse is the only specialist practice qualification (SPQ) to benefit from the fund. Other SPQ routes do not qualify.

The QICN’s Chief Executive Steph Lawrence commented:

“While we are obviously very glad to see District Nursing on this list, it is regrettable that other essential SPQ’s are not included. Higher education institutions offer apprenticeship courses for a number of other specialisms e.g. Community Children’s Nursing, General Practice Nursing, but without continued funding these routes will be cut off to nurses from next year. In addition, it will be difficult now if not impossible, to commence the Adult Social Care specialist practice pathway without an apprenticeship route.”

Below is the official briefing with more information. Further information on delivery is expected in September.

All queries should be directed to: england.nhsapprenticeships@nhs.net