Level 3 Apprenticeship In Maternity Support

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The Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship is designed for learners working within maternity services who support women, babies and families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to provide safe, compassionate and person-centred care whilst working as part of a multidisciplinary maternity team.  

Maternity Support Workers play an essential role in supporting health promotion, safeguarding, clinical observations, infant feeding, newborn care and the wellbeing of women and families throughout the maternity journey. Learning is applied directly within the workplace to support positive outcomes for mothers, babies and their families.

The apprenticeship includes a range of core learning units that build the foundations required of a Senior Healthcare Support Worker. Learners participate in remote masterclasses, workplace learning activities and portfolio development designed to support professional growth and workplace competence.

Upon successful completion, learners may progress into a range of specialist and senior healthcare roles including:  

• Senior Maternity Support Worker 
• Nursing Associate Apprenticeship 
• Midwifery Degree Apprenticeship 
• Registered Midwifery Programmes 
• Registered Nursing Pathways 
• Specialist Maternity Support Roles 
• Further Clinical or Leadership Development Opportunities  

This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for learners wishing to build a rewarding career supporting women, babies and families across maternity services.

Maternity services are responsible for supporting women and families through some of the most important moments in their lives. Delivering safe, effective and compassionate care requires skilled support staff who can work confidently within multidisciplinary teams and contribute to positive experiences and outcomes for mothers and babies.  

Maternity Support Workers play a significant role across antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. They assist with observations, support infant feeding, contribute to safeguarding, promote health and wellbeing, and provide practical and emotional support to families throughout their maternity journey.  

The Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship helps develop a knowledgeable and confident workforce capable of supporting modern maternity services. By investing in apprenticeship training, employers can strengthen workforce capability, improve patient experience and support safer outcomes for women, babies and families.

Learners should be employed within a maternity, community health or healthcare setting where they can demonstrate the competencies required by the apprenticeship standard.

No previous maternity qualifications are required; however, learners will benefit from a good standard of written English and the ability to complete portfolio activities and reflective practice. Functional Skills in English and maths are available where required.

The programme combines remote masterclasses, specialist maternity pathway teaching, workplace competency development, coaching sessions and portfolio building through the OneFile e-portfolio system. Learners apply their learning within the workplace while building evidence against the apprenticeship standard.  

Assessment activities may include workplace observations, reflective accounts, professional discussions, presentations, case studies, witness testimonies, learning journals and service improvement projects. Regular coaching and progress reviews support learners throughout the programme and prepare them for End-Point Assessment.  

Although employers may provide dedicated study time, learners should expect to undertake some independent study and portfolio work outside scheduled learning sessions.

• Supporting antenatal and postnatal care 
• Assisting women and families throughout their maternity journey 
• Undertaking clinical observations 
• Supporting infant feeding initiatives 
• Assisting with newborn observations and care 
• Promoting health and wellbeing 
• Supporting blood sampling procedures 
• Contributing to safeguarding activities 
• Working alongside midwives and multidisciplinary teams  

Our delivery team combines extensive healthcare and education experience to deliver engaging, practical and relevant learning that supports everyday practice within maternity services. 

The programme focuses on developing the confidence, competence and professional behaviours required to provide high-quality maternity support. Through specialist teaching, coaching, workplace assessment and regular reviews, learners receive comprehensive support throughout their apprenticeship journey.