Higher Apprenticeship - FdSc Assistant Practitioner (Mental Health Practice)

Entry Requirements

NHS Trusts select potential apprentices and candidates are interviewed jointly during the admissions protocol. In order to enrol onto this programme, individuals must have level 2 Mathematics and English (GCSE grade C or equivalent) or demonstrate through BKSB assessment that they are working at that level and will be able to achieve this qualification.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of level 4 (Year 1 of the course), learners will be expected to achieve/demonstrate the following:

• a sound knowledge, understanding and application of underlying concepts and principles to practice in mental health practice.
• apply scholarly conventions to inform evidence-based arguments.
• professional skills, attitudes, ethical values and behaviours
• transferrable skills in relation to their practice through applying the role of reflection in learning.

By the end of level 5 (Year 2), learners will be expected to achieve/demonstrate the following:

• conduct investigation, analysis, research, and critically evaluate academic sources when engaging with the principal debates in mental healthcare
• demonstrate knowledge of different practices and processes in mental health care.
• demonstrate practical skills and professional behaviours relevant to employment in the mental healthcare sector

In addition to these programme level outcomes, each module will have its own module learning outcomes

Assessment

Assessments are varied and innovative and are aimed to develop transferable skills to support employability. They include essays, journals, individual and group presentations, academic posters, reports, portfolio/CPD building, professional discussion, examination, and exhibitions. Each module assessment has been considered alongside the knowledge, skill, and behaviours required in practice. Therefore, assessment activities have been designed to encourage theory-practice links, and to develop transferrable employability skills specific to the sector.

Career Progression

As a Higher Apprenticeship, the learning outcomes and indicative content have been designed to enable the apprentice to embed academic learning in practice and to complete assignments around workplace scenarios where possible. Transferable employability skills are embedded in the learning outcomes in the modules through the application of analytical thinking, problem solving, communication, and reflective practice. In addition to the generic employability skills threaded throughout, specific modules encourage a particular focus on certain areas. For example, the Research in Practice module enables students to develop a research proposal based on their place of work to help improve service delivery. Successful completion of this apprenticeship programme provides students with the ability to work as an Assistant Practitioner.

Fees

September 2025, Apprenticeship, Day, 3 years

Apprenticeship course fees are subject to the age of the apprentice, and the size of the company
 
For employer’s with less than 50 employees who do not pay the apprenticeship levy and who take on an apprentice who is aged between 16-18 at the start of their apprenticeship, there will be no direct cost and the full training costs will be covered by Government funding. If the apprentice is aged 19+ the government partially subsides the training costs and the employer will need to pay 5% of the costs. In the case of this course, the fee would be £700.
 
For an employer with more than 50 employees a 5% charge will be implemented regardless of the age of the apprentice which in this case would be £700.
 
A levy paying company will pay the full cost of the apprenticeship from their levy account which in this case would amount to £14,000.
 
Please note that course fees are to be paid by the employer and apprentices cannot be asked to make a financial contribution toward their training.
 
To discuss apprenticeship course fees in more detail or for more information on recruiting an apprentice, please contact 01603 773365 or apprenticeships@ccn.ac.uk.

September 2025, Apprenticeship, Day, 3 years

Apprenticeship course fees are subject to the age of the apprentice, and the size of the company
 
For employer’s with less than 50 employees who do not pay the apprenticeship levy and who take on an apprentice who is aged between 16-18 at the start of their apprenticeship, there will be no direct cost and the full training costs will be covered by Government funding. If the apprentice is aged 19+ the government partially subsides the training costs and the employer will need to pay 5% of the costs. In the case of this course, the fee would be £700.
 
For an employer with more than 50 employees a 5% charge will be implemented regardless of the age of the apprentice which in this case would be £700.
 
A levy paying company will pay the full cost of the apprenticeship from their levy account which in this case would amount to £14,000.
 
Please note that course fees are to be paid by the employer and apprentices cannot be asked to make a financial contribution toward their training.
 
To discuss apprenticeship course fees in more detail or for more information on recruiting an apprentice, please contact 01603 773365 or apprenticeships@ccn.ac.uk.

February 2026, Apprenticeship, Day, 2 years

Apprenticeship course fees are subject to the age of the apprentice, and the size of the company
 
For employer’s with less than 50 employees who do not pay the apprenticeship levy and who take on an apprentice who is aged between 16-18 at the start of their apprenticeship, there will be no direct cost and the full training costs will be covered by Government funding. If the apprentice is aged 19+ the government partially subsides the training costs and the employer will need to pay 5% of the costs. In the case of this course, the fee would be £700.
 
For an employer with more than 50 employees a 5% charge will be implemented regardless of the age of the apprentice which in this case would be £700.
 
A levy paying company will pay the full cost of the apprenticeship from their levy account which in this case would amount to £14,000.
 
Please note that course fees are to be paid by the employer and apprentices cannot be asked to make a financial contribution toward their training.
 
To discuss apprenticeship course fees in more detail or for more information on recruiting an apprentice, please contact 01603 773365 or apprenticeships@ccn.ac.uk.

February 2026, Apprenticeship, Day, 2 years

Apprenticeship course fees are subject to the age of the apprentice, and the size of the company
 
For employer’s with less than 50 employees who do not pay the apprenticeship levy and who take on an apprentice who is aged between 16-18 at the start of their apprenticeship, there will be no direct cost and the full training costs will be covered by Government funding. If the apprentice is aged 19+ the government partially subsides the training costs and the employer will need to pay 5% of the costs. In the case of this course, the fee would be £700.
 
For an employer with more than 50 employees a 5% charge will be implemented regardless of the age of the apprentice which in this case would be £700.
 
A levy paying company will pay the full cost of the apprenticeship from their levy account which in this case would amount to £14,000.
 
Please note that course fees are to be paid by the employer and apprentices cannot be asked to make a financial contribution toward their training.
 
To discuss apprenticeship course fees in more detail or for more information on recruiting an apprentice, please contact 01603 773365 or apprenticeships@ccn.ac.uk.

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