Lead Adult Care Worker

Overview of the role

As a Lead Adult Care Worker you will make a positive difference to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional or intellectual challenges. You will be expected to exercise judgement and take appropriate action to support individuals to maintain their independence, dignity and control.

By providing leadership, guidance and direction at the frontline of care delivery you will be instrumental in improving the health and wellbeing of those receiving care and support. Lead Adult Care Workers will in some circumstances have delegated responsibility for the standard of care provided and may supervise the work of other care workers. This exercising of autonomy and accountability means leading and supporting others to comply with expected standards and behaviours.

Details of the Standard

The apprenticeship is broken up into distinct phases:

• The sign-up, which includes an assessment of maths and English, and an agreement between us, the apprentice and the employer, regarding the training plan.
• The practical period, which is the bulk of the apprenticeship. This is where the apprentice completes their required off-job-training according to the agreed training plan.
• The gateway. At the end of the practical period, the employer, training provider and apprentice meet to discuss the next, and final stage, the End Point Assessment (EPA). At the Gateway meeting, we ensure that the apprentice is ready to undertake the EPA.
• The End Point Assessment (EPA) is the last stage of the apprenticeship. The apprentice will undertake a series of independent assessments, which may include multiple choice questions, a professional discussion and/or a practical test. Successfully completing this step results in achieving the apprenticeship!

Duration

This apprenticeship is based on an 18-month practical period, although this may be amended based on prior experience and recognised qualifications. The minimum duration is 12-months.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements are largely dependent on the vacancy notice set out by the employer - please read the job advert that relates to the role you are considering.

English and maths

Individuals without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Curriculum, delivery and readiness for End-Point-Assessment

The content delivery will be agreed between the apprentice, employer and training provider and is based upon prior knowledge and qualifications. This agreement forms the individualised Training Plan, detailing how the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the apprenticeship Standard will be met.

You will undertake (and must successfully achieve) the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care. This will form the backbone of the apprenticeship, along with meeting the required knowledge, skills and behaviours of the Standard.

Summary End-Point-Assessment

The synoptic end point assessment will include two distinct components. Firstly, the completion of a situational judgement test answered through a multiple-choice exercise (but not necessarily undertaken as an online or computer-based test) and secondly a professional discussion.

To achieve final certification, the apprentices must have completed and achieved these end point assessments in addition to the 15 standards as set out in the Care Certificate and the Diploma.

The assessment will demonstrate that the apprentice can apply their knowledge, skills and behaviours in an integrated way and will satisfy the requirements for the award of an apprenticeship certificate.

Progression

You can progress on to the Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care.