Course summary

This Foundation Degree and Higher Technical Qualification is validated by Sheffield Hallam University, developed in collaboration with hospital trusts, private healthcare providers and voluntary sector organisations. In healthcare settings, there is a recognised need for individuals with a higher level of training and skills than healthcare assistants but not as extensive as registered nurses or allied health professionals. The Assistant Practitioner role can serve as a stepping stone for individuals who wish to pursue further education and training to become fully qualified healthcare professionals, such as nurses, or allied health practitioners. The completion of 200 hours each year in an appropriate setting over the duration of the course, is a requirement of the programme. Applicants should be willing to complete this Higher Technical qualification alongside paid employment or voluntary work. We begin your academic journey with the Transition to Higher Education module, which provides a foundation framework for students to learn academic reading, writing referencing, digital literacy and researching skills to support the academic learning journey. Through the work-based learning modules in years 1 and 2, you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for safe and effective practice in the workplace. With a focus on the assessment and delivery of health and social care, students will identify and apply theoretical frameworks that underpin an integrated service user assessment, be able to identify key issues impacting on service users’ ability to function effectively and will develop, implement and evaluation an intervention to enhance the wellbeing of a service user. The course is delivered over two Semesters in each year. Students will complete 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5. Students may complete their undergraduate studies at L6 on top-up course such as: BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Studies. Modules At Level 4 you will study the following modules to gain 120 credits:

• Transition to Higher Education

• Work based learning 1

• Integrated holistic assessment and delivery of health and social care interventions

• Essential sciences for person centred care

• Transition to professional practice

• Promoting health, wellbeing and independence

• Work based learning 2

• Leadership and management

• Completion of level 4 enables application to progress to a full degree.

• Completion of level 5, you will be suitably prepared for direct entry to the second year of a degree in Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Paramedic Practice, Physiotherapy or Social Work at Sheffield Hallam University.

• After the level 5, this course has a top up degree at level 6 which prepares graduates for managerial roles in health and social care or acts as a stepping stone to MSc Registration or teaching roles.

• English (grade C/4 or above at GCSE or Level 2 equivalent).

• Maths (grade C/4, or a level 1 equivalent is accepted but with enrolment to study level 2 Maths alongside the Foundation Degree)

• A level 3 qualification, or experience demonstrating prior learning of relevant skills.

• The course is also suitable for new recruits to the industry, as well as for existing assistant and support workers in health, social or community care who don’t yet have a relevant qualification.