Social Services and Healthcare
Foundation Apprenticeship
What's Social Services and Healthcare like?
People are at the heart of healthcare and social services. If you have a passion for improving lives and helping others, a career in this rewarding field could be for you.
A Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare helps prepare for a range of care roles. These could include:
adult or children's nurse
care assistant
care home manager
residential support worker
social worker
Over 160,000 people are currently employed by NHS Scotland* and there are great opportunities for progression, too.
*https://www.gov.scot/ 2023
You’ll gain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare. That's the same level of learning as an SQA Higher, which is SCQF Level 6.
SCQF qualification levels explained
Your qualification includes:
a National Progression Award (NPA) in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6
core units of an SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6
a work placement
For your National Progression Award, your topics will be:
Social Services in Scotland
Safeguarding People
Communication in Care Relationships
Safe Practice and Wellbeing in Social Services
Human Development and Social Influences
To achieve your SVQ units, you’ll be assessed as part of your work placement. You’ll learn how to:
communicate effectively
support health and safety
develop your knowledge and practice
support safeguarding of individuals
Your Foundation Apprenticeship will also help you to develop meta-skills. Employers value these skills, which include:
communication
problem-solving
working with others
time management
You'll need these transferable skills for working in a range of other related jobs.
Your Foundation Apprenticeship gives you lots of options, including:
Modern Apprenticeship: When you complete your Foundation Apprenticeship, you’ll have achieved core units to progress to the Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare, giving you a head start.
further education: Continue your studies at college, with an HNC or HND in a social services or childcare subject. Your workplace experience will support your college application.
university: All Scottish universities recognise Foundation Apprenticeships as equal to SQA Highers. You’ll already have experience in the industry – this will make your UCAS stand out from the crowd. This apprenticeship also provides you with 42 UCAS tariff points. Find out more about points on the UCAS website
straight to a job: Use your qualification and work experience to find a job in the social services industry.
Entry requirements
If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.
How does it work?
You'll do the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside your other school subjects. You'll work on projects with an employer and a learning provider, such as a college. It'll give you an industry-recognised qualification that's great for your CV.
Read our brilliant Social Services: Healthcare Foundation Apprenticeship info to see how it all works!
How long will it take?
You'll do your Foundation Apprenticeship over 1 or 2 years starting in S5 or S6. You'll usually do a work placement of about 1 day a week.
How to apply
If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.
Use the search tool to find out if this subject is available at your school. Then fill out the form that comes next, to let us know you're interested. We'll get back to you with more information.