Overview

How to use the framework and the bridge guidance.

Developing and progressing as a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW)

Career development can happen in different ways. Support Workers may wish to develop higher levels of responsibility, knowledge and skills (vertical progression) or to remain at the same level of the career framework but build on existing knowledge and skills to focus on a particular career pathway/pillar of practice e.g., Facilitation of Learning or Leadership (horizontal progression).

How do I move from Level 2-4 on the career framework to Level 5?

If you would like to develop your career into a Level 5 registered practitioner role you would normally require a recognised professional qualification.

A Level 5 Registered Practitioner has:

Successfully completed a diploma level pre-registration programme as a minimum (SCQF Levels 8 –10).
Registered on a professional register for example The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Why use the HCSW Development and Education Framework?

Using the HCSW Development and Education Framework to develop your role across the four pillars of practice will support you to meet job and/or career aspirations. The framework can also support you to develop your knowledge and skills within your current role.

The framework supports NMAHP HCSWs to learn and develop in their current post or progress to higher level support worker roles. It is designed to:

Mirror the same principles as the Levels 5 – 8 of the NMAHP Post-registration Development Framework for registered nurses, midwives and allied health professions
Support meaningful personal development plan and review conversations
Empower Healthcare Support Workers and leaders to make informed choices about learning.

We know that when staff and teams are learning, the people they care for and provide treatment to have better outcomes.