The Foundation degree of Arts in Health Care Practice is delivered by University Campus Suffolk and is suitable education for individuals aiming for Assistant Practitioner roles.
Health Education England strongly encourages the employing organisation to make the most of the education that the individual has received and to develop an Assistant Practitioner role for the individual that has completed the Foundation Degree. If an individual completes the Foundation Degree but their employer decides to keep the individual in their original role after the Foundation Degree, then it is unacceptable for the employer to expect the individual to use their higher level skills without upgrading their role to that of an Assistant Practitioner.
The benefits of Assistant Practitioner roles are wide ranging and well-documented.
The contents of an Assistant Practitioner role must be based on the core standards for Assistant Practitioners as described by Skills for Health. This generic core to the role can be supplemented with additional competencies for that specific Assistant Practitioner’s role. Some employers require that their trainee Assistant Practitioners complete a competency portfolio to evidence their practice competencies alongside the Foundation Degree, similar to those for the new Care Certificate – this is a best practice approach and highly recommended.