This course is delivered in partnership with Life Story Network CIC.

Additionally, individuals in the following job roles would fit well with this programme:

Dementia Lead, Reablement Worker, Physiotherapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Public Health Associate Worker, Keeping in Contact Worker, Community Care/Support Officer, Social Care Assessor, Care Assessment Officer, Social Services Officer, Brokerage Worker, Rehabilitation and Reablement Assistant, Independence Support Assistant, Reablement Support Workers/Officer, Telecare Assistant and Assistive Technology Co-ordinator/Officer.

This programme is suitable for care and support staff working with individuals of all ages, including younger people with dementia.

Embedded within the programme are development projects which introduce new practices into the service. Examples might include:

• Developing processes to enable ‘supported decision making’
• Tackling social isolation in creative ways
• Developing a programme to teach carers/families specific skills
• Implementing and reviewing ‘strength based’ practices
• Implementing a strategy to improve wellbeing / mental health
• Developing innovative approaches to family/carer support
• Introducing a new technology into the service and monitoring and reporting on outcomes
• Devising a new strategy to measure outcomes of reablement programme
• Completing an audit of the dementia environment and implementing an improvement plan
• Implementing new systems to support co-production
• Developing information and resources which assist with risk reduction
• Implementing a case study review of one client demonstrating positive outcomes for the individual
• Creating age appropriate services
• Providing support for individuals to contribute to their communities
• Implementing a plan of proactive strategies to minimise distress / challenge
• Introducing a new therapeutic intervention into the service
• Implementing a plan to improve the nutritional outcomes
• A programme to challenge poor practice to elevate care and support within a service

How long will the programme take and what is involved?

This programme is delivered over 18 months. It incorporates the Apprenticeship Standard Lead Practice in Adult Care but is extended to include a robust development programme for best practice in dementia care.

Apprentices are required to complete 20% off the job. Commitment is important, as the programme will be tightly structured. The following activities can be expected as part of the individual learning process:

• Attending virtual classrooms
• Contributing to forums
• Completing assignments
• Guided Reading
• Reflective diaries
• Shadowing other members of the team
• Participating in audits
• Meetings
• Feedback/learning sessions with some of the people the learner supports

Apprentices will meet with their assessors once a month to review progress and access support and guidance. Apprentices will also have access to communities of practice and will be required to contribute and learn from these communities as part of the assessment process. They will have the opportunity to collaborate and learn from peers undertaking similar pathways. Apprentices will be required to actively participate in virtual classrooms.

End point assessment:

There will be an external assessment at the end of the programme once the apprentice has achieved the ‘gateway’ requirements. This includes achieving the Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care.

End-point Assessment Methods, Timescales & Location

• Observation of Practice
• Professional Discussion.

The end-point assessment must be completed over a maximum total assessment time of two days, within an EPA period lasting typically for three months after the apprentice has met the EPA gateway requirements.

What will the apprentice achieve?

• Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care
• Level 2 English and Maths (If not completed prior to starting the programme). For those with an education, health and care plan, or a legacy statement, the apprentice’s English and Maths requirement is Entry Level 3 at a minimum. For those whose primary language is British Sign Language (BSL), the qualification BSL is an alternative and viable qualification.
• Dementia Pathway

Which virtual classrooms are included?

The apprentice will also have access to the following virtual classrooms:

• Professional development in adult social care
• Lead Communication in Adult Social Care
• Develop, maintain and use records and report
• Governance in adult care
• Facilitate person centred assessment to support wellbeing
• Lead health and safety in adult care settings
• Support the use of Assistive Technology
• Understand safeguarding and protection in adult care settings
• Lead inclusive practice in adult care settings
• Working in partnership with others
• Understand personalisation in care and support services
• Leadership in dementia care
• Risk reduction in dementia Care
• Medication and health in dementia care
• Dementia environment and technology
• Reablement

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