What is your route into health and social care?

The idea of knowing what you want to do at the age of 16 is a daunting one. The Northamptonshire Heath and Care Careers academy is here to help. Whether you studied biology, psychology, maths, art, drama, or RE, we can help you find the right career for you in health and social care.

No matter who you are, what you have studied, or what grades you have achieved, there could be a place for you in the NHS and care sector - now, or in the future.

On this page, you can discover the various ways to achieve a successful career in health and social care. Whether you continue your studies in Higher Education, take part in an apprenticeship, or volunteer, there is a career path suitable for everyone.

College and university providers

We have provided a guide to further education providers offering health and social care courses in Northamptonshire. These providers also offer lots of other courses that can provide young people with a career that could support them to go on to work in the health and care sector! Programmes in Art, Design, Education, Engineering, Psychology, Science, or a trade profession can all lead to successful careers in the NHS or Social Care.

Moulton College

Moulton College is a land-based college and teach young people and adults in skills to do with the natural, built and recreational environment. The college works closely with organisations so that the skills and knowledge taught is relevant to current and future needs. They have lots of courses available that relate to non-clinical roles within the NHS and social care. These include; food and drink, gardening and business subjects as well as some clinical courses i.e. health trainer and nutritionist.

Click here to access the course list for Moulton College

Northampton College

Northampton College has three main sites at Booth Lane, Lower Mounts and Daventry and has a range of opportunities to study both full-time and part-time courses. As well as this, there are many options for those who are 16 and older to study qualifications such as; essential, professional, foundation and Higher National Certificate (HNC) / Higher National Diploma (HND) and many more.

Check out Rhys Cook's Journey - Ambulance Service

Click here to access health and social care courses at Northampton College

Click here to access nursing courses and Northampton College

The Bedford College Group – Tresham College

Tresham college has three main sites which are based in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough. The college group has many courses available in health and social care with different routes available so people can take the career path that is right for them. This includes; apprenticeships, T Levels and both part-time and full-time courses - Tresham has a great deal to offer.

The Bedford College Group - Tresham College 

University of Northampton (UoN)

University of Northampton is one of the youngest universities in the UK and opened its new Waterside campus in September 2018. The new campus at Waterside is designed to reflect the way students learn rather than the way students are expected to learn. The University of Northampton offers many programmes for those who are over 18 such as; Higher National Certificates (HNC) / Higher National Diplomas (HND), Foundation degrees, Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc), Masters and PhD’s. These programmes are offered by full or part-time learning, as well as some being offered via the apprenticeship route.

Click here to view courses by subject at University of Northampton

 

Click on the links below to go to information on the subjects mentioned: 

Local NHS and social care employers have built strong relationships with further education providers to support our future talent receive opportunities right for them.

Career pathways

As well as the further education providers listed above, there are a number of other routes into a career within health and social care including apprenticeships, volunteering, T Levels and getting experience.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience, and get paid. You’re an employee with a contract of employment and holiday leave. By the end of an apprenticeship, you'll have the right skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career.

Most often apprenticeships take between 1 to 4 years to complete depending on which one you choose, what level it is and your previous experience. It’s funded from contributions made by the government and your employer.

You must:

  • be 16 or over
  • not already be in full-time education
  • live in England

Volunteering

A volunteer is someone offering time, skills, or knowledge, freely and by choice, for no pay, to help others. Volunteers help in many ways. There are many roles, including response, clinical, befriending on the wards and supporting staff. Volunteering opportunities also include gardening, shop assistants and administrative areas.

Each health and care organisation in Northamptonshire has a volunteering programme and the websites will include details of the process and commitment expected. Usually you must be 16+ and able to spare a couple of hours every week over a set period. For some roles you must be 18-years-old. From there the process is simple:

  1. Find a role you’re interested in or contact us
  2. Fill out the organisations volunteer application form
  3. Meet the organisation staff member for an informal chat
  4. Complete a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check where appropriate
  5. Provide the organisation with contact details for references
  6. Complete any training needed for the volunteer role
  7. Sign a volunteer agreement
  8. Start your volunteering placement

To find out more about volunteering, vist out volunteering page

Or you can see wider volunteering opportunities in Northamptonshire by visiting Volunteering Passport website below.

To find out more about volunteering passport, please click here.

Getting experience

Getting experience is an opportunity for young people, those looking for a career change or those who are unemployed to gain experience in a workplace and learn about a role or organisation. It provides you with useful skills, experience and knowledge which can help you gain a job. We offer virtual and face-to-face sessions, depending on safeguarding, clinical environment, and work pressures. Our numbers are limited for our face-to-face offers and only available to Northamptonshire residents.

To find out more about getting experience, vist out getting experience page

T Levels

T Levels are a two-year qualification. They are an alternative to A levels, other post-16 courses or an apprenticeship. They offer a mix of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience. An industry placement makes up at least 315 hours (around 45 days).

After your GCSEs, T Levels give the student the knowledge and experience to get straight into employment, an apprenticeship or higher education.

The student will spend 80% of their time in the classroom and 20% on a 45-day placement with an employer to give them the skills and knowledge companies look for.

EQUIVALENT TO 3 A LEVELS

One T level takes two years of full-time study and is equivalent to 3 A levels.

To find out more about T Levels, vist out T Levels page

Not sure? Choose by subject!

We understand students may not know what their next step is, whether it be staying in education or starting work. It is important that they choose what is right for them and that their decisions are based on the up to date and correct information.

To help give them an idea of options that may be available to them, please use our 'subject to career' tool which will show possible career options depending on what thry have studied or are planning to study. For each career listed for the subjects, click on them to take them to more information about the role.

Visit our subject to career tool here

Post 16 video animation

This post-16 video animation has been provided by the Department for Education

Financial support for nurses

Nurses! At least £5,000 is available to eligible undergraduate and postgraduate student nurses fund their studies. Best of all, it won’t need to be repaid.

Find out more about this funding and other financial support available. 

Other financial support information

Have a look at the other financial support available: 

Financial support at university

Take a look at what financial support is available when studying a health-related undergraduate or postgraduate degree. 

Student finance: Extra help

This link explains student finance. 

16 to 19 education: financial support for students 

Have a look at financial support available for 16- to 19-year-old students in education. 

Financial help for uni students

Information on financial help for university students. 

 

Free courses available to you

Have a look at some of the free courses available for peple to access: 

Free courses and webinars

West Northamptonshire council offers free courses including CV writing, interviews, English and Maths.

Free personal development courses and training

Reed offers 34 free development courses from communication, to team leading and getting ready to work in adult social care.

Free personal development courses online

Alison offers courses for people who would like to learn new skills, explore their interests or work towards their own goals. Alison also includes reading, writing and numeracy.

Where to find free online learning

National Careers Service can help with finding free online learning in English, maths, digital, IT, business and finance and health and social care.

Online skills and careers courses

Youth Employment UK offers free training to young professionals from 14 years and older both in an out of education.

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