Widening Participation – Developing Bands 1 – 4 in Healthcare Science

1. Widening Participation – Developing Bands 1 – 4 in Healthcare Science Emma Wilton Widening Participation Manager 20 July 2010

2. Background • 30,000 staff employed in bands 1 – 4 across NHS SC • Constitute 38% of total workforce population • Occupy roles such as healthcare science assistant, healthcare science associate, dental nurse, emergency care assistant, administrator, medical secretary, cleaner, estates maintenance worker, engineer. • Employers signed Skills Pledge demonstrating support for developing non-registered workforce.

3. Context • Financial challenges – doing more with less • Growing our own workforce – increasing skill mix • Greater efficiencies, reducing duplication • Strive to improve quality • Supporting growing demand for work-based learning • 2010/11 widening participation budget allocated to support development of staff via, NVQs, LAs, Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees.

4. Widening Participation Activity 2010/11 • Across NHS SC we are supporting provision of: • 1,101 NVQs (non Train to Gain) • 1,333 Learning Accounts • 652 Apprenticeships • 135 Foundation Degrees

5. NVQs • NVQs are made up of units of competence • Outline the standards of performance expected within an occupational area and at the required level • NVQs are endorsed by the relevant skills sector council • £1,000 paid by SCSHA to support provision of NVQs at levels 2 - 4

6. Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) for vocational qualifications • A new structure that allows learners to build their qualifications bit by bit. • Can combine units eg competence units and knowledge units to make a qualification • Credit value for each unit 1 credit = 10 hrs of learning, can gain credit for work based training • Award 1-10 credits, Certificate 13 – 36 credits, Diploma 37+ credits • Can be at any level 1-8, how do they link to HE?

7. What is an Apprenticeship? • Apprenticeships provide on the job training and • qualifications for any individual over the age of 16 years • Apprenticeships consist of Functional Skills, Technical Certificate and NVQ • Support development of the existing workforce and new staff at bands 2 and 3 , in clinical and non-clinical roles • Over 80 Frameworks exist to develop skills and competences around patient and service need – Health and Social Care with pathways in pathology, renal support etc, Laboratory Technicians, Pharmacy Technicians, etc.

8. Apprenticeship Benefits • Promote recruitment and retention of staff • Provide staff with a nationally recognised, transferable qualification • “I have learnt a lot. I now have an in-depth knowledge of policies and legislation that underpin my role. I am able to challenge myself, it is hard work but I love it!” (Apprentice)

9. Apprenticeship Funding

10. Associate Practitioners • Foundation Degree or equivalent • Is this what is needed? • How can staff progress from Assistant to Associate to registered? • What roles do we need, what roles have we already developed? • Do we need regulation at these levels?

11. Questions for Group Work • What roles do we require in bands 1 – 4 in the future and what is their scope of practice? • How will these roles be educated and trained and does this education and training already exist? • How do we support staff progression, from Assistant – Associate and beyond? • What challenges exist in supporting vocational and work-based learning?

12. emma.wilton@nesc.nhs.uk 07824 546967