The Maternity Support pathway offers a specialised pathway for those who aspire to support individuals and their families during one of the most significant times in their lives. This apprenticeship is ideal for individuals who provide empathetic and effective support to pregnant individuals, mothers, and newborns. Working under the guidance of registered midwives, apprentices will engage in a range of care responsibilities, from antenatal support right through to postnatal care, ensuring the health and well-being of both mother and child.

This apprenticeship is crafted to empower apprentices with the skills necessary to assist with childbirth, provide essential postnatal care, and support new parents in caring for their infants; fostering confidence and bonding. The programme ensures that apprentices are well-prepared to make a significant contribution to maternity care, enhancing the experiences of families during this transformative time. Through hands-on experience and expert-led training, apprentices will emerge as confident and compassionate maternity support workers, ready to make a positive impact in healthcare settings.

How will I be assessed?

On programme

Throughout the qualification you will create an electronic portfolio of evidence, the evidence will be varied and will include assessments, reflective accounts, observations, work products etc. Your dedicated Skills Coach will assess submitted work and attach to relevant learning outcomes to claim competencies.

End Point Assessment (EPA)

Once the qualification is complete, you will then enter end point assessment – this is assessed by an observation of practice and a professional discussion using work which you have acquired throughout your qualification from your electronic portfolio of evidence.

What do I need?

To be eligible for a Healthcare Apprenticeship, the learner needs to have been residing in the UK or the EEA, for the past three years and be able to commit to the apprenticeship programme’s full duration. Note that certain types of immigration statuses/permissions may still be eligible. The learners job role should also fit with the programme modules. If the learner does not have a level 2 or equivalent in English and maths, they will need to work towards achieving these qualifications as part of their apprenticeship. Additional entry requirements may also be needed for programmes at level 3 and above i.e. a level of previous experience or pre-requisite qualifications or CPD (Continued Professional Development) i.e. the Care Certificate.

To be eligible for our apprenticeship program, candidates must have successfully secured a full-time position as a support worker within an NHS trust. This requirement ensures that applicants possess the necessary foundation of experience and commitment to excel in our program, aligning with our dedication to fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals within the NHS. We believe that this firsthand experience within the NHS trust environment not only enhances the apprentices' learning journey but also enriches the quality of care they will provide in their future roles.

Support worker roles can be found by visiting NHS jobs and using the keyword Support Worker.

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate

What qualifications do I need?

You can enter most of these roles with GCSEs. For most of them, you need maths and English, for some, you may need science. 

Some experience of healthcare is useful when applying for these roles. This can be from paid work, volunteering or caring for a family member.

Where can it take me?

After a period of working and gaining experience, apprentices may be able to work towards an Assistant Practitioner post or apply to university to become a registered healthcare practitioner via the Nursing Associate or Midwifery Degree Apprenticeship.

Additional information

Career Pathways