Public health apprenticeships: community-centred roles

In March 2019, Public Health England convened a workshop to explore the employer demand for an advanced level apprenticeship (level 3, see academic levels) for community-centred roles (such as social prescribers, link workers, community connectors, health trainers, and other similar roles).

The event was attended by more than 60 representatives from local authorities, clinical commissioning groups, charities, social enterprises, NHS providers and Health Education England.

There was broad support for continuing to scope an apprenticeship standard, to reflect both the interests of employers and the clear direction of travel in government policy around health, care and other public service areas. Details are available in the workshop report.

One of the recommendations from this workshop was to connect with employers and front-line workers to better understand the duties, capabilities and current training opportunities for this workforce that will shape the apprenticeship standard.

This consultation aims to:

• better understand and articulate the duties and capabilities of people in community-centred roles
• determine how these workers are currently being trained and developed to discharge these duties
• establish the extent of employer need and commitment to an apprenticeship standard at level 3 for this workforce

If you have any questions, please email: phworkforcestrategy@dhsc.gov.uk.

Notes:

• the Public Health England team leading this policy transitioned into the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities on 1 October 2021
• Health Education England merged with NHS on 1 April 2023