What support do the FAS provide?

You will have a dedicated Manager who will:

• Agree employment requirements for the apprenticeship roles with the host employer(s)
• Agree values-based questioning with the employer for Apprentices to check their values and commitment to work within a care environment
• Advertise the available job roles through the National Apprenticeship Service website to identify potential candidates and collate application forms
• Conduct initial face-to-face interviews with each candidate and draw up a short list of suitable candidates to put forward for interview with the host employer
• Consult with the agreed training provider to ensure that the training provided will be delivered in an effective and timely manner with full support provided for the apprentice
• Complete all DBS and Occupational Health checks for the apprentice as required
• Provide all HR services for the apprentice including dealing with any disciplinary issues that may arise during the term of the apprenticeship
• Consult with the host employer and Apprentice to mediate a resolution to any issues that may be affecting the apprentice’s performance within the placement
• Source and facilitate rotational placements including allocating out any available placement funding (if provided by a stakeholder organisation e.g.: HEE)
• Provide the option of reallocating the apprentice to a different placement with another employer if the host employer /apprentice relationship is not working
• Ensure that the training provider completes a full initial assessment to identify the apprentices’ learning needs
• Ensure that the qualification is at the correct level for the apprentice to achieve in a timely manner
• Closely monitor the apprentice’s journey to check that adequate progression is being made by the apprentice throughout their Apprenticeship.
• Provide a single point of contact for employer and apprentice throughout the term of the apprenticeship
• Support the apprentices in finding employment post-apprenticeship and monitor / report outcomes for apprentices

Who can use the Flexible Apprenticeship Scheme? 

Our scheme is open to all health and Social Care employers across the NENC NHS, Care, independent and voluntary sectors. Many smaller and medium-sized employers find the Flexible Apprenticeship Scheme model can be helpful as they often do not have the time to dedicate to taking on an apprentice and all the management responsibilities that come with it. It also allows them to reduce the risk to their organisation in case they are not able to sustain the placement, or the apprentice is not suitable for any reason.

Larger employers can also benefit from the model as it allows them to use their resources as effectively as possible, helping to ensure that they have the range and numbers of staff they need.

What is the apprenticeship ‘20% development time’ rule?

All apprentices must undertake 20% development time, commonly referred to as their Off the Job training. This is defined as learning which is done outside of the normal day-to-day working environment. It also counts as one of the key elements towards completing an apprenticeship.

Development time must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship and could also include the following:

• The teaching of theory (lectures, role playing, simulation exercises and online learning)
• Practical training, shadowing, mentoring, industry visits and attendance of competitions
• Learning support and time spent writing assessments during the apprenticeship

Work-based learning that an apprentice does in their day-to-day role, which can be evidenced as part of their apprenticeship, does not mean one day off a week. Apprentices must have evidence of learning for 20% of the duration of their apprenticeship. This can be spread in a flexible way to suit employer and employee demands.

What do I do next if I would like to use the Flexi Jobs Apprenticeship Scheme to employ an apprentice?

Contact us using our “Get in touch” button on the home page and we will be able to answer your questions and support you through the whole process.

Once you have recruited to the scheme you will need to support the apprentice by:

• Providing them with access to the in workplace learning opportunities they will need to achieve their apprenticeship
• Giving them in workplace support via a mentor or buddy, this is the person they will shadow in the early stages of their employment. This individual will observe them in practice and may be required to sign off competencies or complete witness testimonies for the training provider.
• Taking place in regular progress reviews with the Flexi Jobs Scheme, apprentice, and training provider to ensure the apprentice is on track and progressing well.
• Releasing them for their training days and ensuring they receive their 20% development time
• Keep in close contact with your local skills coordinator for the flexi jobs scheme to highlight any queries or concerns as and when required