FEBRUARY EDITION

3/1/2021

Healthcare Science Apprenticeships – Survey Open
A survey has been developed by the Healthcare Science Trailblazer group to explore if the current healthcare science apprenticeships:

Meet employer needs
Support career progression
Have the required content
Are at the right education and training levels

The survey is available on this link. The survey will close on 17th March at 12pm.

ESFA Funding Rules - Updated Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2020 to 2021
Version 3 of the ESFA Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2020 to 2021 have been published. Version 3 is available using this link. These documents set out the rules for apprenticeship funding, including the evidence required to support it and apply to apprenticeship starts from 1 August 2020. The rules are being updated to reflect the extension of the incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice, as well as some other clarifications. They should be read alongside the apprenticeship response to coronavirus (COVID-19) as some of these flexibilities are continuing. The changes we have made are detailed in the summary of changes which can be found on the apprenticeship funding rules page on GOV.UK.

ESFA Update – January 2021 - Reminder
Please use this link to access the January 2021 ESFA Update.

Consultation – Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard
The Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship standard is now due for revision; a consultation survey has now opened and is available using this link. The survey will close on 31 March at lunchtime.

NHS Project Futures Apprenticeships
Please find attached the documents for the NHS Project Futures Apprenticeships including the employer guide, a summary document, slides from the event that was help this week and an overall infographic. Potential apprentices are asked to complete the an EOI form online. If you have any questions please get in touch.

Apprenticeship Tips – 5 resource packs published
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week this year, we have put together 5 resource packs for managers to use with their staff/apprentices. The resource packs are available using this link.

National Work Experience Network Update
The national forum is for anyone working within the work experience area, at HEE or related employer (NHS). It aims to provide a space to enable and facilitate national, regional and local engagement, consultation, and collaboration to support the delivery and management of work experience.

The team are conducting a national audit of NHS resources, that NHS organisations are willing to share for the common good and benefit of all. This is being orchestrated through the national work experience network https://bit.ly/2O2Z5S5
All the material developed through the audit, will be housed on a (or linked to) national resource repository. We are at the very early stages of developing this.
Based on the information have obtained thus far, re gaps in material we have commissioned the development of additional video content, more information will be made available once we have it to share.
Longer term we are exploring the development of pre work experience modules and full online alternative work experience programmes, for careers traditionally hard to reach e.g. midwifery.
Conducting a discovery phase into the potential for a national work experience management platform, the discovery report will be published end of March.
Refreshing the existing work experience toolkits post Covid-19

National and regional work experience strategy is developing, in the interim the national team have run a number of national webinars to showcase potential work experience platforms and initiatives that Trusts may wish to make use immediately to meet there individual needs (we also promote Trusts to work collaboratively at ICS level on this). We are trying to drive down the cost for our NHS colleagues, should you wish or need to utilise any of the third part provision we have negotiated the below:
• With Springpod, we have secured agreement for the use of an 80:20 model. As long as there is 80% material that has already been developed and paid for, you can use this free of charge, and pay a 20% development fee, plus the onboarding of students, etc. Please refer to the link Pricing Calculator
• Pathway have agreed to an economies of scale model
• Uptree has agreed to a 50 % reduction on all their products

The team supporting the network are:

Michelle Mcavoy m.l.mcavoy@outlook.com is leading on the WEX platform and online discovery, as well as virtual reality
Becky.Orton@hee.nhs.uk is leading on both toolkits and the return of face-to-face work experience.
Rachel.Wright@hee.nhs.uk project lead, as well as the lead for springpod and joint lead with Michelle on the resource repository and case study capture.
Jordan.Hornby@hee.nhs.uk is the network lead. Please refer to Jordan if you want to raise any general queries that you do not feel belong in a public space, and or, provide any feedback.

Apprenticeship Programme response to COVID-19 - New FSQ Flexibilities Published
A new version of the Apprenticeship Programme response to COVID-19 has been published. The new guidance can found on the apprenticeship programme response page. This version contains one main change: from 25 February, eligible apprentices can start their EPA before they achieve their functional skills qualifications if they have been waiting for the opportunity to access functional skills assessments but have been prevented from doing so due to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. Please see p18 for details of who’s eligible.

EPA revisions - six fully integrated EPAs published
Further to the announcement in October that IFATE is simplifying how end-point assessment (EPA) is carried out for regulated occupations, a range of EPA plans have now been revised. This change makes use of robust assessment where it already exists and ensures that the EPA is best serving employers and apprentices, as well as protecting public funds. The standards included are:

You can view the original IFATE announcement here and review the FAQs here.

Senior Healthcare Support Worker (Theatre Support option) - Call for volunteers
We are currently looking for a handful of volunteers to join the sub-group revising the Theatre Support option in the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard. If your organisation employs these apprentices and you would be interested in sending a representative to attend a couple of team calls, please email us at Healthcare.Trailblazer@skillsforhealth.org.uk

Apprenticeships standards versioning – new status report
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) has published the first Revisions Status Report. This new report will be updated every eight weeks to show which live standards have entered IFATE’s formal revisions process, and the stage they are at in that process. This regular dissemination of information aims to prewarn the sector that new versions are upcoming so it can prepare accordingly, and allow IFATE to consult the sector on the appropriate notice period for each version change.

Managing Prior Learning Effectively for NHS Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Teams Webinar
Please register for the Managing Prior Learning Effectively for NHS Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Teams. This webinar, funded by HEE, is open to all NHS Trusts and will take place on 9th March, 2021 at 10am.
Webinar Overview: All training providers and employers need to interpret the funding rules on prior learning in the context of their delivery model, particularly in the context of the NHS where many learners will have experiential learning. This includes how prior learning may affect the funding levels and the pattern of delivery.
Booking: Please use this link to book a place.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the joining instructions. This has been set up as webcast so will connect via a browser and no need to download or install software. If you register and cannot attend you will be sent the recording.

Consultation – Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard - Reminder
The Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship standard is now due for revision; a consultation survey has now opened and is available using this link. The survey will close on 31 March at lunchtime.

ODP Apprenticeship Employer Review Group
Following on from the ODP employer engagement event before Christmas, we are holding an employer review group in order to develop employer requirements in relation to the ODP Apprenticeship. This information will then be used to support the procurement of the ODP Apprenticeship for the North West.
The review group will take place on 24th March 2021, 10am – 12pm. If you are interested in taking part please contact Gemma.hall@hee.nhs.uk. Please do encourage any ODP professionals in your organisation to take part if they are able to.

FEBRUARY EDITION

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