Progression for HCAs already in post  

Although there are no specific national requirements for becoming an HCA or HCSW, recommended training requirements include:  

Basic training comprising fundamental nursing skills appropriate to the employment setting plus…  

The Care Certificate

Flowchart for starting and finishing points on the Care Certificate for Healthcare and Social Care Support Workers. 

  • Working towards Care Certificate which has been jointly developed by Skills for Care, Skills for Health and Health Education England to meet the 16 standards required by the Care Quality Commission as set out in the Care Certificate. 
  • The Care Certificate is aimed at equipping health and social care support workers with the knowledge and skills which they need to provide safe and compassionate care.  
  • It can be taken as part of a Level 2 or Level 3 Health and Social Care Programme (Apprenticeship) or as part of a robust induction when starting your career in Health and Social Care.  
  • Additional modules may also be completed depending on local needs i.e. integrated care working.   

e-LfH: Care Certificate Programme: Care Certificate Programme 

Skills for Health: Care Certificate: Care Certificate e-Learning Bundle (paid e-learning package with employer oversight)  

Support worker learning and development roadmap

This support worker learning and development roadmap has been designed to be a useful resource for support workers, educators, clinical leads, managers and HR colleagues.  

  • The roadmap has been designed to be used alongside workplace-specific training and tools. 
  • This roadmap covers five key areas – career progression, wellbeing and resilience, skills for life (functional skills), personal skills and technical skills. You can use the buttons below to explore these areas in more detail. 
  • If you’re a support worker, this resource can support you to identify your learning and development goals and how to improve your skills to deliver the best possible patient care.  
  • It brings together sources of information to help you explore your own skills and support you with your ongoing learning and development. 
  • The information in this roadmap can help you to discuss your development and career needs with different people in your organisation. 

You might want to discuss these needs with:

  • Your line manager or team leader 
  • Your organisation’s education team 
  • Your practice/professional development nurse. 

Information for Care Certificate Assessors:

Care Certificate Assessor Guidelines  

Care Certificate Assessor Toolkit  

Statutory and Mandatory Skills

Core Skills Training Framework 

  • This tool identifies minimum learning outcomes for the main subjects that frequently feature within statutory and mandatory training in the NHS. 

Statutory and Mandatory Training  

NHS England have designed an SMT training programme available via e-Learning for Health to meet the learning outcomes in the UK Core Skills Training Framework.   

Essential Training Courses for Healthcare Assistants

Healthcare Assistant Essentials  

  • It has identified the essential courses for Healthcare Assistants starting their General Practice career, whether they have caring experience in other settings or if they are working in practice for the first time.    

Updates  

Regular updates may be found on the LDC website  

Support Workers Level practice – Tier 1 

Roles include Care Support Workers, Health Care Assistants and Health Care Support Workers  

Education for Health 

Look at the chart on the Education for Health website to view which courses and updates align with which core capability from the Primary Care and General Nursing Career Framework (these courses need to be paid for).   

Level 3 courses

 

Higher Development Award (Level 3) 

  • The Higher Development Award at South Devon College provides experienced employees from all health and social care settings with the opportunity to develop core knowledge, skills, behaviours and values required to progress and practice safely. 
  • You will have the opportunity to work alongside others within the sector, enhancing your understanding of how your role links to the multidisciplinary team and meets the needs of your organisation and the wider sector.  
  • You will develop your maths, English and digital skills and participate in a Workplace Improvement Project.  

Apprenticeship  

Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship (Level 3)  

  • Senior Healthcare Support Workers work alongside registered healthcare professionals to deliver high quality and compassionate health and care services.  
  • A Senior Healthcare Support Worker will provide clinical, therapeutic, or diagnostic care under the direct or indirect supervision of a registered healthcare professional. 
  • This is an occupational qualification at South Devon College for those who work in Senior Healthcare Support Worker roles in England or are working towards attaining this role.   
  • Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

National Centre for Leadership & Management: Future Leaders Programme Apprenticeship (Level 3) 

  • Comprising three dynamic modules and a curated set of 20 world-class business tools, the Future Leaders Programme goes beyond traditional training, providing you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to flourish as a leader early in your career.   
  • Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice. 

Level 4 Courses

Introduction to healthcare practice 

This practice-based module run by the OU develops your knowledge and skills for nursing or healthcare practice, with successful completion enabling you to progress in your chosen programme of study. You’ll be introduced to the essential aspects of care while building core skills in questioning, problem-solving, communication, relationship management, numeracy and literacy, all applied to safe, effective practice. You’ll also study key areas, including medicine management, anatomy and physiology, and health promotion, which will help you develop and maintain the currency and relevance of your practice in an ever-changing healthcare environment. See the entry requirements for full guidance on practice setting and supervision criteria.  

Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice  

The OU certificate of higher education enables healthcare support staff to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to underpin effective practice. You’ll develop a wide range of practical skills and competencies while exploring essential biological, social, political, ethical, and psychological concepts. You’ll also build valuable numeracy, literacy, IT, communication, and cognitive skills.  

Introducing health and social care module  

 We all depend on care services at some time in our lives – at home; in hospitals, clinics or GP surgeries; or in community and residential settings. This key introductory module provides an authoritative overview of health and social care, with real-life case studies taking you deep into the experience of receiving care and working in care services. Whether you’re involved in care work (paid or unpaid), use services yourself, or simply have a general interest, this module will build knowledge and understanding, develop skills, and prepare you for further study.  

Certificate in Health and Social Care   

This certificate with the Open University focuses on two key areas: providing a valuable introduction to learning in higher education and offering an authoritative overview of health and social care. Real-life case studies will give you an insight into what it is like to experience care and to work in care services. Whether you’re involved in care work (paid or unpaid), use services yourself, or simply have a general interest, this course helps you build knowledge, understanding, and a range of learning skills, as well as preparing you for further study. 

Wellbeing across the life-course module    

The promotion of wellbeing at all ages is essential for building a prosperous society. This OU module examines key issues associated with wellbeing in childhood, adulthood and later life. Drawing on core theories and real-life case studies, this module considers different sources of wellbeing and explores how health care, social care and public health professionals can support the wellbeing of individuals and populations. The module also focuses on building skills required for further study, including handling data, evaluating information and academic writing. 

Certificate of Higher Education in Health, Wellbeing and Social Care    

  • Deepen your knowledge and understanding of health and social care 
  • Apply theories to help understand real-life case studies 
  • Develop practical and employability skills 
  • Build a solid foundation for further study in this sector 

A nationally recognised qualification, this Certificate of Higher Education is also equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.  

Introduction to childhood studies and child psychology module     

How can we understand children, childhood and youth today? What influences children’s development into early adulthood? What roles do families, society and culture play? This Open University introductory module offers fascinating insights into children’s and young people’s lives. Through anthropology, sociology, childhood and youth studies and psychology, you’ll explore themes including mental health, education, diverse families, global childhoods, adolescence, development, and children’s rights. You’ll learn about the factors that shape children and young people’s experiences and their emotional, physical, intellectual, social and cultural development from birth to early adulthood. You’ll learn about these thought-provoking topics through audio, video and interactive online materials.   

Human biology: a body in balance module    

This module with the OU explores human biology, focusing on the science underpinning the structure and function of organ systems. It introduces knowledge of anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, epidemiology, histology, pathology, and science-related mathematics. Throughout the module, you’ll study interactions between the individual and the environment, plus the mechanisms that maintain internal conditions. You’ll also examine how internal and external factors affect the body’s optimal functioning, resulting in disease. In addition to acquiring scientific knowledge, you’ll develop scientific skills, including communication, data interpretation and handling, plus practical and investigative skills.   

Science and health: an evidence-based approach module    

This module delivered by the OU introduces the science of human health and covers eight globally important health topics, from nutrition and infectious diseases to pain and breast cancer screening. Each topic integrates biological, chemical and physical sciences concepts with psychology and health statistics to illuminate the causes of disease and disability and the consequence for individuals and populations. You’ll also develop skills for further study of health sciences, including evaluating evidence, handling numbers, presenting data, writing, and using information technology. 

Certificate in Health Sciences    

Key features: 

  • Explore a range of health topics in their wider personal, cultural and social contexts 
  • Learn to evaluate evidence; understand and use scientific terms and concepts; handle numbers; and interpret graphs and tables 
  • Enhance your employability in healthcare and other settings 
  • Builds a solid foundation for further study 

This certificate is the first part of the OU Certificate of Higher Education in Health Sciences (T18), Diploma of Higher Education in Health Sciences (W44) and BSc (Honours) Health Sciences (Q71). 

Level 5 Courses

Assistant Practitioner/Nursing Associate (Level 5)  

  • It is possible for HCAs to develop their career as an Assistant Practitioner, Nursing Associate and progressing to becoming a  
    Registered Nurse.  

Direct Entry Assistant Practitioner (Level 5)  

Higher Level Apprenticeship Assistant Practitioner 

  • Delivered in the state-of-the-art simulation suite at Plymouth MarJon University, you will learn from multi-professionals with vast academic experience in teaching and research.  
  • Learn in a supportive environment with clinical practitioners providing a broad knowledge base across health and social care.   
  • Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

Apprenticeship Assistant Practitioner (Level 5)  

Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Higher Apprenticeship (Level 5)  

  • An Assistant Practitioner will have a required level of knowledge and skill beyond that of the traditional healthcare assistant or support worker.  
  • The Assistant Practitioner would be able to deliver elements of healthcare and undertake clinical work in domains that have previously only been within the remit of registered professionals.  
  •  Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

Assistant Practitioner (Health) Apprenticeship (Level 5)  

Assistant Practitioner/Nursing Associate (Level 5)  

  • It is possible for HCAs to develop their career as an Assistant Practitioner, Nursing Associate and progressing to becoming a  
    Registered Nurse.  

Direct Entry Assistant Practitioner (Level 5)  

Higher Level Apprenticeship Assistant Practitioner 

  • Delivered in the state-of-the-art simulation suite at Plymouth MarJon University, you will learn from multi-professionals with vast academic experience in teaching and research.  
  • Learn in a supportive environment with clinical practitioners providing a broad knowledge base across health and social care.   
  • Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

Apprenticeship Assistant Practitioner (Level 5)  

Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Higher Apprenticeship (Level 5)  

  • An Assistant Practitioner will have a required level of knowledge and skill beyond that of the traditional healthcare assistant or support worker.  
  • The Assistant Practitioner would be able to deliver elements of healthcare and undertake clinical work in domains that have previously only been within the remit of registered professionals.  
  •  Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

Assistant Practitioner (Health) Apprenticeship (Level 5)  

Assistant Practitioner/Nursing Associate (Level 5)  

  • It is possible for HCAs to develop their career as an Assistant Practitioner, Nursing Associate and progressing to becoming a  
    Registered Nurse.  

Direct Entry Assistant Practitioner (Level 5)  

Higher Level Apprenticeship Assistant Practitioner 

  • Delivered in the state-of-the-art simulation suite at Plymouth MarJon University, you will learn from multi-professionals with vast academic experience in teaching and research.  
  • Learn in a supportive environment with clinical practitioners providing a broad knowledge base across health and social care.   
  • Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

Apprenticeship Assistant Practitioner (Level 5)  

Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Higher Apprenticeship (Level 5)  

  • An Assistant Practitioner will have a required level of knowledge and skill beyond that of the traditional healthcare assistant or support worker.  
  • The Assistant Practitioner would be able to deliver elements of healthcare and undertake clinical work in domains that have previously only been within the remit of registered professionals.  
  •  Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

Assistant Practitioner (Health) Apprenticeship (Level 5)  

  • This program is designed for experienced support staff, providing essential skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality care alongside registered healthcare professionals. 

Level 6 Course

Direct Entry  

Adult Nursing BSc (Hons)  

  • The BSc Adult Nursing programme at the University of Exeter is a three-year course leading to eligibility for registration as an adult nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).  
  • The programme is structured around Exeter’s unique ‘seven pillars’ of nursing: patient and public involvement;  
  • fundamental essentials of nursing care;  
  • evidence for practice;  
  • no health without mental health;  
  • leadership and management of healthcare;  
  • global health;  
  • ethics and professionalism.  
  • After graduation students will be able to start their journey as a highly professional nurse capable of leading exceptional, comprehensive, person-centred and evidence-based care.   

Adult Nursing BSc (Hons)  

  • Adult nursing is a challenging yet extremely rewarding career where you will work with a diverse range of acute and long-term illness in adults, in addition to promoting healthy lifestyles for all.  
  • Adult nurses play a prominent role in hospitals and communities as part of a multi-professional team.  
  • They care for patients and clients in a variety of hospital and primary care settings.  
  • These include acute medical and surgical wards, operating theatres, Emergency Departments, high-dependency environments, nursing homes and district nursing.  
  • During clinical placements, students promote health maintenance and restoration.  

Nursing (Adult Health) BSc (Hons) 

  • This course is offered individually at the Plymouth University campus, Exeter School of Nursing and the Knowledge Spa in Truro.  
  • The University of Plymouth Nursing degree will prepare you to care for adults with acute/long-term illness, in a multitude of healthcare settings.  
  • You will be ready to play a vital role in health promotion and disease prevention as well as nursing adults.  
  • Working closely with other healthcare professionals, patients and their families, you will gain the necessary experience, competencies and skills needed to join the 1000s of our graduates working as registered nurses.  
  • Achieve a bachelors honours degree and register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Adult Health enabling you to progress on to a rewarding career and work in a range of healthcare settings nationally or internationally.   

Registered Nursing Degree (Level 6)  

  • In December 2024, the University of Bolton was granted permission by the Office for Students (OfS) to change its name to the University of Greater Manchester with immediate effect.  
  • While they work to update their systems, you may see both names used in the information they provide.  
  • As a nurse, you can make a huge difference to people’s health and wellbeing.  
  • Offered in partnership with Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and taught at Petroc in North Devon, the University of Greater Manchester’s BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) degree aims to give you the experience and skills to join this demanding yet deeply rewarding career.  
  • The University of Greater Manchester offers this BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) degree in an innovative partnership with Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, using facilities at Petroc in northern Devon.  
  • Taught at Petroc by University of Greater Manchester staff, the programme is designed to prepare you for a successful career caring for people over 18.  
  • There is a shortage of qualified nurses in the UK, so the career opportunities are excellent.

Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)  

  • From hospitals to care homes, this apprenticeship will equip you with the experience and skills to operate effectively in healthcare settings, working closely with experienced professionals in multidisciplinary teams.  
  • This programme is ideal for you if you’re either an existing Health Care Assistant looking to take your career to the next level, or if you’re looking to start your career in nursing and healthcare.  
  • Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)  

  • The Open University’s Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) supports employers to develop their healthcare workforce into NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council) Registered Nurses in the fields of Adult, Children and Young People, Learning Disabilities, or Mental Health nursing.  
  • Our nursing degree apprenticeship is based on our extensive experience of successfully delivering practice-based nursing programmes. Since 2002, we have supported more than 3,000 individuals to qualify as Registered Nurses. 
  • Apprentices study flexibly alongside work, so they can immediately apply newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice, benefiting both service users and patients. Explore nursing degree apprenticeships with us today.  
  • Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)  

  • University of Plymouth understands some of the challenges in developing and retaining highly skilled employees, and they are excited to be offering this degree apprenticeship leading to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in three fields of Nursing: Adult Health, Child Health and Mental Health. 
  • The development and design of this degree was a collaborative partnership following national consultation and local consultation with our stakeholders and employers in the region.  
  • It aligns with healthcare employers’ strategic objectives and goals around workforce planning and with the standards set by the NMC (2010) and Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (2018).  
  • Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.  

Higher/Degree Apprenticeship Registered Nurse (Level 6)  

  • The University of the West of England (UWE) Registered Nurse apprenticeship (Level 6) enables you to complete your professional nurse education, while continuing in your current role.  
  • Learners looking to take the next step in their training can benefit from this employer-funded training option, to demonstrate a greater depth of knowledge and advanced skills, confidence and competence. 
  • Over the course of four years, you’ll receive education validated against the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) (2018) standards.  
  • This includes theory and practice-based learning in your chosen field of nursing: adult, children and young people, learning disabilities or mental health. 
  • Regular review meetings ensure you stay on track academically and in practice, and develop as a caring, competent and critically thinking nurse.  
  • By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to meet people’s specific care needs, working with adults, children, or those with learning difficulties or mental health needs.    
  • Please note, you must be employed in a related role and have the support of your employer to be an apprentice.   

Progression and Pathway

  • Progression for HCAs already in post  
  • Pathway to working as an HCA  

    • Have a question?

    To discuss primary care roles in Devon feel free to get in touch.

    Other Primary Care Roles
    Devon Training Hub © 2026. All Rights Reserved | Registered Office: Devon Training Hub, Unit 305, Phase 2, 1 Davy Road, Plymouth Science Park, Derriford, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8BX | Companies House Number: 10706912
    Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Use | Website Design by Good Design Works
    Skip to content
    Devon Training Hub
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.