Senior HCA takes on new Learning Mentoring Apprenticeship

The “magic of mentoring” is to be celebrated as a brand new apprenticeship programme is launched to improve the skills of Senior Healthcare Assistant (HCAs) while supporting new members of staff too.

The Learning Mentors for Senior HCAs initiative has been launched in partnership with training company Dynamic Training.

Together, St Andrew’s and Dynamic Training has created a bespoke 12-month programme for Senior HCAs who will formalise the mentoring support they provide to new HCA’s through an Apprenticeship.

The Level 3 Learning Mentor Apprenticeship will arm staff with new knowledge, skills and behaviours which are required to support new members of staff working in mental healthcare.

The programme also includes a mental health pathway specifically designed by St Andrew’s Practice Educators from the Clinical Education team.

Robert Foulkes, who is based on Fairbairn ward, is the first Senior HCA to have signed up and will start the apprenticeship next week.

He said: “I am very excited to be part of this initiative and I’m hugely thankful to have been given this opportunity. I have worked at St Andrew’s for three years and I’ve learnt a huge amount in that time and I was fortunate enough to be guided by unofficial mentors who really helped me develop.

“Now I want to pass on my wisdom and skills and show our newer members of staff the magic of mentoring and how it really help personal development.”

Sue Solomons, Apprenticeship Team Leader, said: “We’re thrilled to have Robert on board to launch this scheme, which is another example of how the charity is investing in its staff development.

“We have widened participation of this programme and invited all members of the Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership to apply. We’re really excited that our learners will have the opportunity to network with likeminded colleagues across the Northamptonshire Healthcare system and be ambassadors of St Andrew’s Healthcare.”