Allied Health Professions’ Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework

Domain 1: Formal knowledge and experience

The minimum essential formal qualifications and experience required for AHP support workers entering each stage. Some roles may in addition have specific role requirements such as a driving license.

Entry level Intermediate Assistant Practitioner ExR
1.1 Education Requirements RQF Level 2 Qualification(s) (for example GCSE grade 4/C or above). Level 2 Functional Skills. Or - as a level 2 apprenticeship, such as the Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship. RQF Level 3 qualifications or demonstrated ability and commitment to achieve a relevant level 3 qualification. Level 2 Functional Skills. Or - as a level 3 apprenticeship, such as the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship (or other level 3 qualification pathway. Foundation degree Health and Social Care, or equivalent level 5 qualification; plus, A-levels and GCSEs or equivalent(s), including Functional Skills (level 2) Or - as a level 5 apprenticeship, such as the Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship Care Certificate. N/A
1.2 Experience It is not essential to have experience in health or social care settings at this stage, but candidates should be able to demonstrate experience of working with the public, for example customer care skills in retail or through employment, work experience or volunteering. Experience in health and/or social care settings, such as employment, work experience, volunteering or placement(s). Able to demonstrate substantial experience in health and care settings, including in the relevant field of work. N/A
1.3 Values Demonstrates the values of the NHS and commitment to personal and professional development. Demonstrates the values of the NHS and commitment to personal and professional development. Demonstrates the values of the NHS and commitment to personal and professional development. N/A

Domain 2: Supporting service users

Supporting service users and their families throughout their care, promoting health and wellbeing, and understanding the wider health and social care system.

Entry Level Intermediate Assistant Practitioner ExR
2.1 Positive Relationships Develops, manages, and maintains positive, appropriate relationships with service users, families and carers, demonstrating respect, kindness, compassion and empathy at all times. Develops, manages, and maintains positive, appropriate relationships with service users, families and carers, demonstrating respect, kindness, compassion and empathy at all times. Develops, manages, and maintains positive, appropriate relationships with service users, families and carers, demonstrating respect, kindness, compassion and empathy at all times. N/A
2.2 Person-centred Care Provides person-centred care and support. Understands and demonstrates what it means to provide person-centred care, by providing education and resources to support informed decision making, and of respecting individual’s decisions. May provide information to service users. Consistently deploys care, treatment and support strategies to promote and provide person-centred care, including providing information, advice and guidance to service users, carers, families, health professionals and others. N/A
2.3 Prevention Understands the social, cultural, and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours, and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for service users and their families, including health inequalities. Understands the social, cultural, and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours, and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for service users and their families, including health inequalities. Understands the social, cultural, and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours, and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for service users and their families, including health inequalities. N/A
2.4 Health Promotion Understands the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and importance of relevant interventions for individual service users and their families, including making every contact count. Understands the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and importance of relevant interventions for individual service users and their families, including making every contact count. Understands the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and importance of relevant interventions for individual service users and their families, including making every contact count. N/A
2.5 Supporting behaviour change Seeks support from a registered practitioner when a service user signals a desire to change their health behaviour. Understands principles of behaviour change and interventions to prevent ill health and effectively applies these to practice, recognising the individual’s right to privacy and choice. Applies principles of behaviour change within individualised contexts to enable personalised discussion, sensitively communicating complex and/or potentially challenging information to service users if appropriate to facilitate change including through social prescribing N/A
2.6 Privacy and Dignity Able to identify ways to promote dignity and is aware of individuals’ environments and factors that might cause discomfort. Able to identify ways to promote dignity and is aware of individuals’ environments and factors that might cause discomfort. Able to identify ways to promote dignity and is aware of individuals’ environments and factors that might cause discomfort. N/A
2.7 Health and Social Care System Aware of the main organisations in the health and social care system and services provided Understands a range of organisations in the health and social care system and services provided and can signpost people effectively in liaison with multi-disciplinary team colleagues. Understands a range of organisations in the health and social care system and services provided, referring service users to services appropriately. N/A
2.8 Legal and ethical responsibilities Aware of the main legislation, legal and ethical responsibilities that shape provision of social care services for service users. Understands and can explain the main legislation, legal and ethical responsibilities that shape provision of health and social care for service users. Understands and can explain the main legislation, legal and ethical responsibilities that shape health and social care and the role of agencies such as the Care Quality Commission. N/A
2.9 Practice Frameworks Understands the importance of adhering to codes of practice, clinical procedures, and professional standards. Understands the importance of adhering to codes of practice, clinical procedures, and professional standards. Understands the importance of adhering to codes of practice, clinical procedures, and professional standards. N/A
2.10 Team and partnership working Able to work collaboratively with a variety of health staff, social care staff, professional staff and others. Understands and demonstrates the principles of team and partnership working. Able to work collaboratively with a variety of health staff, social care staff, professional staff and others. Understands and demonstrates the principles of team and partnership working. Able to work collaboratively with a variety of health staff, social care staff, professional staff and others. Understands and demonstrates the principles of team and partnership working. N/A
2.11 Role Awareness Recognises the importance of support workers in service delivery, including the diverse roles undertaken by AHP support workers. Is able to define own role, for example by describing their duties and the roles of others. Recognises the importance of support workers in service delivery, including the diverse roles undertaken by AHP support workers. Is able to define own role, for example by describing their duties and the roles of others. Recognises the importance of support workers in service delivery, including the diverse roles undertaken by AHP support workers. Is able to define own role, for example by describing their duties and the roles of others. N/A
2.12 Service Awareness Understands the services and programmes of care provided by their employer and team. Has a thorough understanding of the function and role of their service. Has a thorough understanding of the function and role of their service and can actively advocate for this to other teams and services. N/A

Domain 3: Clinical, technical and scientific roles and responsibilities

Knowledge and practice, support and interventions required to safely assist service-users meet their optimum potential.

Entry Level Intermediate Assistant Practitioner ExR
3.1 Underpinning Knowledge Basic understanding of routine clinical, technical and/or scientific roles and responsibilities. Core knowledge of clinical, technical and/ or scientific roles and responsibilities, including clinical risk assessment. Developed knowledge of clinical, technical and/or scientific theory and practice, within their immediate field of practice. Understands the importance of evidence-based practice. ExR helps maintain clinical and technical skills
3.2 Role Boundaries Understanding of role boundaries and the importance of supervision and carrying out appropriately delegated tasks. Able to understand and follow procedures, protocols and plans. Understanding of role boundaries and the importance of supervision and carrying out appropriately delegated tasks. Able to understand and follow procedures, protocols and plans. Understanding of role boundaries and the importance of supervision and carrying out appropriately delegated tasks. Able to understand and follow procedures, protocols and plans. N/A
3.3 Autonomy Works under close supervision. May work alone within scope of role, for example in the community, and have their own caseload of service users with non-complex needs previously seen by a registered member of staff. Able to work independently with service users within the scope of the role and operational policies, protocols and procedures. N/A
3.4 Time Management Organises own day to day tasks to ensure timely completion. Manages own workload and time, for example maintaining own diary Manages own workload and time, including prioritising tasks and resources, taking account of changing circumstances. N/A
3.5 Consent Understands and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care, and records this appropriately. Understands and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care, and records this appropriately. Understands and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care, and records this appropriately. ExR requires consent from all video participants
3.6 Tasks and Responsibilities Performs straightforward, routine and specific delegated care tasks, for which they have achieved competencies, and working within procedures, policies and plans. Performs straightforward, routine and specific delegated care tasks, for which they have received training, working within procedures, policies and plans. Able to adapt practice to situations Within scope of role and working to operating procedure, protocols and procedures plans, implements and monitors own treatment and care plan interventions, including adapting to circumstances. N/A
3.7 Prioritising Care Demonstrates the ability to respond flexibly to the needs of the working environment. Can prioritise activities to meet the holistic needs of service users, including adjusting normal routines where levels of complexity exist. Understands the impact of complex care needs and other factors when prioritising care activities within their own or the team’s defined workload. N/A
3.8 Planning and Evaluating Care Assists in effective care planning assisting with service user flow and evaluation by sharing relevant information in a timely manner with members of the multidisciplinary team. Provides feedback on service-user progress and condition, recognises the impact of support and interventions, and suggests ideas for improvement when developing, reviewing and evaluating care plans based on objective evidence and experience. Actively participates in the planning, development and evaluation of personalised care plans by offering objective clinical and evidence based information to inform planned activities. N/A
3.9 Reporting, Referring and Escalating Concerns Able to recognise signs of discomfort, anxiety or concerns and promptly report them to a registered practitioner. This includes recognising discomfort in other members of staff, families and carers, as well as service users. Uses knowledge and understanding of common physical, mental and behavioural health conditions to recognise deterioration in service users. Responds by promptly escalating concerns to a registered practitioner. Gathers and interprets relevant information working under protocols and forms a judgement on the improvement or deterioration in the physical, mental or behavioural condition of service users and responds by referring or escalating concerns to a registered practitioner. N/A
3.10 Signposting Directs queries in respect of signposting to appropriate multidisciplinary team colleagues. Maintains a working knowledge of local support available for service users and signposts people effectively in liaison with multi-disciplinary team colleagues. Arranges access to services to support personalised care plans, referring service users to agencies and services appropriately. N/A
3.11 Equipment Maintains service user equipment, including stock control, delivery and setting up. Ensures safe and effective use of equipment by service users, carers and family members, including fitting, demonstration, and teaching of safe and appropriate use. Ensures equipment is safe. Ensures safe and effective use of equipment, including fitting, demonstration and teaching of safe and appropriate use. Adapts equipment where appropriate and monitors individual’s progress. Carries out basic risk assessment and able to document in care records. Ensures equipment is safe. ExR helps ensure that the individuals know how to use equipment safely and effectively through their trainings
3.12 Emergency Care Recognises an emergency, summons assistance and acts as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within parameters of own competence and defined role. In settings where a registered practitioner is not present, initiates immediate first aid whilst awaiting the arrival of appropriately qualified practitioners. Recognises an emergency, summons assistance and acts as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within parameters of own competence and defined role. In settings where a registered practitioner is not present, initiates immediate first aid whilst awaiting the arrival of appropriately qualified practitioners. Recognises an emergency, summons assistance and acts as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within parameters of own competence and defined role. In settings where a registered practitioner is not present, initiates immediate first aid whilst awaiting the arrival of appropriately qualified practitioners. ExR trainings help keep emergency care skills up-to-date

Domain 4: Communication and information management

Communicate clearly and accurately using a range of written, verbal and non-verbal methods, maintaining confidentiality and protection of data, and overcoming physical, sensory, cognitive and language barriers to understanding. Barriers to understanding can include emotional and social barriers.

Entry Level Intermediate Assistant Practitioner ExR
4.1 Confidentiality and Data Protection Understands role requirement and the importance of accessing, maintaining and storing documentation relating to care, in accordance with local guidance and legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality and data protection. Understands role requirement and the importance of accessing, maintaining and storing documentation relating to care, in accordance with local guidance and legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality and data protection. Understands role requirement and the importance of accessing, maintaining and storing documentation relating to care, in accordance with local guidance and legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality and data protection. ExR has a robust data protection policy
4.2 Record Keeping Keeps complete, clear, accurate and timely records, utilising digital platforms as required. Keeps complete, clear, accurate and timely records, utilising digital platforms as required. Keeps complete, clear, accurate and timely records, utilising digital platforms as required. N/A
4.3 Methods of Communication Communicates through a variety of methods, including the use of interpersonal, written and verbal and non-verbal skills. Exchanges information with service user and families using active listening, compassion, empathy, and coproduction techniques with the service user Communicates through a variety of methods, including the use of interpersonal, written and verbal and non-verbal skills. Exchanges information with service user and families using active listening, compassion, empathy, and coproduction techniques with the service user Communicates through a variety of methods, including the use of interpersonal, written and verbal and non-verbal skills. Exchanges information with service user and families using active listening, compassion, empathy, and coproduction techniques with the service user N/A
4.4. Effective Communication Provides and receives routine and straightforward information in a timely and effective manner to and from service users, carers, members of staff and others. Actively listens and receives information, gives and acts on feedback. Understands the communication needs of others and adapts communication style accordingly Communicates to service users, carers, staff, teams and others in a way that is understandable and accessible, addressing any barriers to understanding. This requires the selection of the most appropriate method of communication. Actively listens and receives information, gives and acts on feedback. Understands the communication needs of others and adapts communication style accordingly. Demonstrates the ability to provide and receive complex and sensitive information, including relating to service users. Judges the appropriate method of communication, ensuring information is provided in an accessible way. Actively listens and receives information, gives and acts on feedback. Understands the communication needs of others and adapts communication style accordingly. N/A

Domain 5: Safe and inclusive environments

Working within organisational policies and procedures to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, protection and personal wellbeing, and safety, along with the importance of infection control, duty of care and candour.

Entry Level Intermediate Assistant Practitioner ExR
5.1 Health and Safety Contributes to the maintenance of healthy and safe working environments through appropriate practice, use of resources, techniques and behaviours and understanding of relevant legislation. Contributes to the maintenance of healthy and safe working environments through appropriate practice, use of resources, techniques and behaviours and understanding of relevant legislation. Contributes to the maintenance of healthy and safe working environments through appropriate practice, use of resources, techniques and behaviours and understanding of relevant legislation. ExR trainings contribute to healthy and safe working environments by ensuring training is easy to access for all
5.2 Policies and Procedures Understands the importance of adhering to organisational policies, protocols, procedures, and standards. Understands the importance of adhering to organisational policies, protocols, procedures, and standards. Contributes to the development, application and evaluation of organisational procedures and protocols. N/A
5.3 Risk Management Identifies and manages risks, including assessment of moving and handling, using local policies and procedures. Is aware of the environment in which they work and how to maintain safety for themselves and others. Identifies and manages risks, including assessment of moving and handling, using local policies and procedures. Is aware of the environment in which they work and how to maintain safety for themselves and others. Identifies and manages risks, including assessment of moving and handling, using local policies and procedures. Is aware of the environment in which they work and how to maintain safety for themselves and others. N/A
5.4 Incidents and Complaints Reports any incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary. Reports any incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary. Reports any incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary. N/A
5.5 Safeguarding Understands and follows the principles of safeguarding and protection. Follows local procedures and escalates concerns in a timely manner, complying with legal requirements. Is vigilant for cues indicating safeguarding issues. Escalates safeguarding concerns and reports to the multi-disciplinary team in a robust, timely manner; complying with legal requirements Takes responsibility for risk identification and assessing activity within scope of role and adhering to local and national safeguarding procedures and policies. ExR has a safeguarding policy in place.
5.6 Infection Prevention and Control Understands the principles and practices of infection control, adhering to these consistently within own scope of practice. Understands the principles and practices of infection control, adhering to these consistently within own sphere of practice. Supports others to understand the principles and practices that underpin infection control principles N/A
5.7 Duty of Care and Candour Acts with integrity and honesty, ensuring individuals do not experience harm by reporting situations, behaviours or errors that might lead to adverse outcomes for service users. Acts with integrity and honesty, ensuring individuals do not experience harm by reporting situations, behaviours or errors that might lead to adverse outcomes for service users. Acts with integrity and honesty, ensuring individuals do not experience harm by reporting situations, behaviours or errors that might lead to adverse outcomes for service users. N/A
5.8 Respects Diversity Understands, promotes, and advocates for equality and diversity and demonstrates inclusion through interaction with individuals. Understands, promotes, and advocates for equality and diversity and demonstrates inclusion through interaction with individuals. Understands, promotes, and advocates for equality and diversity and demonstrates inclusion through interaction with individuals. N/A
5.9 Awareness of Subconscious Bias Aware of your own values, culture and position, and the impact of your work and actions on others. Aware of your own values, culture and position, and the impact of your work and actions on others. Aware of your own values, culture and position, and the impact of your work and actions on others. N/A
5.10 Recognises and reacts to discrimination Promotes equality and challenges discriminatory behaviour, particularly relating to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. Provides support without prejudice. Promotes equality and challenges discriminatory behaviour, particularly relating to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. Provides support without prejudice. Promotes equality and challenges discriminatory behaviour, particularly relating to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. Provides support without prejudice. N/A
5.11 Widens access to care Understands and applies the principles and processes to support access to care and making reasonable adjustments Understands and applies the principles and processes to support access to care and making reasonable adjustments Understands and applies the principles and processes to support access to care and making reasonable adjustments ExR trainings widen access to care by providing greater access to healthcare training

Domain 6: Research and service improvement

Participation and undertaking of research, audit, evaluation and service-improvement projects.

Entry Level Intermediate Assistant Practitioner ExR
6.1 Service Improvement Participates in service evaluation and quality improvement activities relevant to own work. Contributes to audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activities, such as service user feedback and benchmarking. Participates in, contributes to, and may lead, audits, service evaluation and quality improvement projects relevant to own work. ExR trainings can contribute to service improvement
6.2 Research Activity Able to understand and comply with research governance, ethics, protocols and guidelines. Understands and complies with research governance, ethics, protocols and research, and may carry out routine research activities under guidance of more experienced staff. Disseminates research findings. Applies research governance, ethics, protocols and guidelines and may undertake more complex research activities including data collection and analysis. Disseminates research findings ExR supports and participates in research around the UK

Domain 7: Leadership and management

Understanding the importance of being a role model, time management, identifying areas for self-improvement, and supervising others.

Entry Level Intermediate Assistant Practitioner EXR
7.1 Professionalism Acts in a professional manner, demonstrating NHS Constitution values. Acts in a professional manner, demonstrating NHS Constitution values. Acts in a professional manner, demonstrating NHS Constitution values. N/A
7.2 Role Modelling Acts as a role model (for example by being welcoming). Understands the importance of role models, for example to assist the development of others. Demonstrates role modelling, including advocating for other support staff. N/A
7.3 Leadership Takes appropriate action when the performance and practice of others should be positively recognised or requires improvement. Identifies and develops own leadership skills, for example by volunteering for broader opportunities within their organisation. Advocates for service users, families and carers. Takes appropriate action when the performance and practice of others should be positively recognised or requires improvement. Identifies and develops own leadership skills, for example by volunteering for broader opportunities within their organisation. Advocates for service users, families and carers. Takes appropriate action when the performance and practice of others should be positively recognised or requires improvement. Takes and demonstrates management and leadership for own work within scope of practice. Advocates for service users, their families and carers. Identifies and develops own leadership skills, for example by volunteering for broader opportunities within their organisation. N/A
7.4 Supervising Others May help induct and instruct new support staff. Inducts new team members. Participates in training and mentoring of less experienced support staff and students (including apprentices) in respect of tasks and responsibilities within scope of practice. May manage staff and mentor less experienced staff and students, including apprentices. N/A
7.5 Developing Others Participates in team learning. Contributes to colleague’s learning, for example by giving and receiving feedback and contributing to learning resources for others, such as students. Contributes to the learning of the organisation, colleagues and team, for example by giving and receiving constructive feedback and contributing to learning resources for others. Supports students on placement. N/A

Domain 8: Personal and professional values and behaviours

The values required to work in health and social care, and personal learning and selfdevelopment.

Entry Level Intermediate Assistant Practitioner ExR
8.1 Ways of Working Demonstrates, through interactions with others, the core values of the NHS and Our NHS People Promise. Demonstrates, through interactions with others, the core values of the NHS and Our NHS People Promise. Demonstrates, through interactions with others, the core values of the NHS and Our NHS People Promise. N/A
8.2 Health and Wellbeing Understands and acts on own safety and health and wellbeing needs and supports the health and wellbeing of wider team members. Understands and acts on own safety and health and wellbeing needs and supports the health and wellbeing of wider team members. Understands and acts on own safety and health and wellbeing needs and supports the health and wellbeing of wider team members. N/A
8.3 Role of Learning and Development Understands why learning is important and how it improves performance, practice and quality of care. Understands why learning is important and how it improves performance, practice and quality of care. Understands why learning is important and how it improves performance, practice and quality of care. N/A
8.4 Self-development and Learning Participates in learning (including mandatory training) to ensure up-to-date knowledge, skills and behaviours to safely perform role. Actively seeks feedback. Actively participates in learning opportunities to maintain knowledge and inform practice. Actively seeks feedback. Actively participates in learning opportunities and demonstrates self-improvement, for example by actively seeking feedback. Provides a platform for individuals to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills
8.5 Appraisals Prepares for and participates in appraisals and agrees a Personal Development Plan. Prepares for and participates in appraisals and agrees a Personal Development Plan. Prepares for and participates in appraisals and agrees a Personal Development Plan. Trainings can be used for CPD points and addressed on a PDP
8.6 Personal Development Plans Records learning and personal development and is supported to identify areas for improvement. Undertakes reflective practice. Records own learning and personal development. Identifies and articulates areas for self-improvement, including through self-reflection and evaluation of practice. Records own learning and personal development. Identifies areas for self-improvement and actively participates in learning opportunities to maintain and extend knowledge and performance. N/A