Roles in CAMHS
Apprenticeships
About apprenticeships...
There are all sorts of apprenticeships available in the NHS, whatever your experience or qualifications and some of those opportunities lie within CAMHS.
You could work on a ward providing hands-on care, or in a role in the community or within our Administration and Business sections. Whatever you choose, you'll make a big difference to patient care from day one and be sure of a rewarding career.
The NHS has apprenticeships at all levels too, whether you're just starting your career or looking to progress to being a registered professional with a core qualification like a nurse or psychologist. The levels are:
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level 2 - equivalent to GCSEs
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level 3 - equivalent to A-levels
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levels 4 and 5 - equivalent to a foundation degree and above
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levels 6 and 7 - equivalent to a full bachelor’s or Master’s degree
Entry requirements will depend on our vacancies and the type and level of apprenticeship. For example, you may need four or five GCSEs at grades 9-4/A-C or equivalent to do a level 3 apprenticeship. To start a level 6 apprenticeship you're likely to need A-levels, equivalent level 3 qualifications or relevant experience.
There is a very handy factsheet found at Skills for Health's handy factsheets for more information about what you could do at each level.
So what is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a job with an accompanying skills development programme. It combines workplace experience with formal, off-the-job training.
An apprenticeship should last for a minimum of 12 months and the apprentice must spend at least 20% of their time on off-the-job training. The apprenticeship will usually include an end-point assessment of the apprentice’s knowledge and practical capabilities.
What is off the job training?
Off-the-job training is described by the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) as learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship. It can include training that is delivered at the apprentice’s normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of their normal working duties.
Examples of off-the-job training include theory (e.g. lectures, online learning, and role play), practical training apprentices wouldn’t usually do as part of their normal role (e.g. mentoring, shadowing, visits) and learning support including time spent writing assignments.
How is the apprenticeship funded?
The Apprenticeship Levy is a Government initiative to increase the level of investment in skills and training. It applies to all employers across the UK with a pay bill in excess of £3 million. Southern Health is required to pay the Apprenticeship Levy. The LEAD Vocational Centre will be able to draw on our Levy payment to fund the training of apprentices, who may be new staff or existing employees.
In order to draw on funding from the Levy, training must be delivered by an approved training provider and the apprentice must work towards an approved apprenticeship standard.
Is it applicable for existing staff?
All staff in our NHS Trust are eligible to apply for an apprenticeship and their training can be funded from the Apprenticeship Levy. It is important that the content of the training is materially different from any prior qualification or previous apprenticeships they may have completed.