Health and social care foundation apprenticeship
Level 2 · IntermediateHealth and science 0.7 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Health and Social Care Foundation Apprenticeship at Level 2 gives you practical experience of working in care settings such as residential homes, community services, or NHS support roles, while developing the values, knowledge, and skills needed to work with people. You will learn how to support individuals with daily living, wellbeing, and communication in a safe, dignified way. It is a stepping stone into more senior apprenticeships in nursing, social work, healthcare science, and care management.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Person-centred care values and duty of care
Safeguarding adults and children - recognition and reporting
Basic anatomy, health conditions, and wellbeing principles
Communication skills including working with people with dementia
Infection prevention, hand hygiene, and PPE use
Mental health awareness and supporting emotional wellbeing
Record-keeping and data protection in care settings
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Support service users with personal care and daily activities
Assist with mealtimes, hydration, and nutrition monitoring
Communicate effectively with individuals and their families
Observe and report changes in a person's condition
Follow care plans and contribute to their review
Maintain a clean, safe, and infection-controlled environment
Complete care records accurately and confidentially
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.