Our campuses close on Friday 20th December and re-open on Thursday 2nd January 2025 for the Christmas Break.
Students will return to timetabled lessons on Monday 6th January 2025.
For information on term dates and enquiries please visit our information page using the button below.
A Leader in Adult Care has responsibility for managing community or residential based services. This role has a large element of leadership, whether with other care workers and networks or in leading the service itself. A successful apprentice will have met all the requirements. They have a responsibility to ensure the service is safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well-led. They may be a registered manager of a service, unit, deputy or assistant manager. They will be responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance of the care given and the values and training of staff with established standards and regulations.
Looking for a new career, job or maybe a qualification to take your current role to the next level?
Previously apprenticeships were primarily aimed towards 16-18 year olds but government reforms introduced in March 2017 mean that there is no longer an upper age limit for commencing an apprenticeship, even if you already possess a degree or higher level qualification (all applicants must be eligible for funding).
Starting an apprenticeship is dependent on your age and whether you have secured an offer of an apprenticeship from an employer.
You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school, but you cannot start until you have officially left school and completed your exams.
You need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship. You may start an apprenticeship at 15 years of age if your 16th birthday is between the last Friday of June and 31st August and provided you have completed your exams.
Provided you have left school and have an employment offer in place, then starting employment as an apprentice can occur throughout the year.
If you successfully apply for a vacancy, you may be able to start employment straight away.
Likewise, if you are already in employment and your employer is looking to train you through an apprenticeship, sign-up and enrolment can take place quite quickly.
However, the start date for attending college for training, where required, or if delivered online, when sessions begin, will vary depending on the type of apprenticeship.
Some apprenticeships will have fixed attendance with training on-campus commencing at the start of the autumn term, with no availability for starting the training mid-year.
For other apprenticeships where the training is delivered entirely online, it may be possible to commence the training immediately.
Whichever delivery method applies, this will be communicated to you and your employer post-employment and sign-up.
Leading the care service and managing teams of carers to look after adults with care needs.
Typical job titles include registered, assistant, deputy, unit or service manager.
The Leader in Adult Care will guide and inspire teams to make positive differences to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional, psychological or intellectual challenges. They will be a leader of the care team and will develop and implement a values-based culture at a service or unit level. They may be responsible for business development, financial control, organisational resilience and continuity as well as for managing risk and leading on organisational change.
These are the personal attributes and behaviours expected of all Leaders in Adult Care carrying out their roles:
Leaders in Adult Care may work in residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care, community day centres, a person’s own home or some clinical healthcare settings. The role of Leader in Adult Care in this standard also covers Personal Assistants who operate in a management role but they may only work directly for one individual who needs support and/or care services.
Knowledge | What the Leader in Adult Care on completion must know and understand: |
Tasks and responsibilities |
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Dignity and human rights |
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Communication |
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Safeguarding |
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Health and wellbeing |
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Professional development |
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Leadership |
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Skills | What the Leader in Adult Care on completion must be able to do: |
Tasks and responsibilities |
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Dignity and human rights |
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Communication |
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Safeguarding |
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Health and wellbeing |
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Professional development |
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Leadership |
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This section sets out the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the Leader in Adult Care apprenticeship standard. It is written for end-point assessment organisations who need to know how EPA for this apprenticeship must operate.
Full-time apprentices will typically spend 18 months on-programme working towards the apprenticeship standard, with a minimum of 20% off-the-job training. The EPA should only start once the employer is satisfied that the apprentice is consistently working at or above the level set out in the standard, the pre-requisite gateway requirements for EPA have been met and that they can be evidenced to an EPA organisation.
As a gateway requirement, apprentices must complete the level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care prior to taking their EPA. Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.
The EPA must be completed over a maximum total assessment time of two days, within a three month period, after the apprentice has met the EPA gateway requirements. EPA must be conducted by an organisation approved to offer services against this standard, as selected by the employer, from the Education & Skills Funding Agency’s Register of End Point Assessment Organisations.
The EPA consists of two distinct assessment methods:
• Observation of Leadership
• Professional discussion
It is a requirement for the learner to be able to demonstrate in both end point assessment methods, that throughout the course of the Apprenticeship, they have achieved the required knowledge but have also been able to put this into practice through the evidence of the skills and behaviours. Apprentices should demonstrate this through giving authentic examples of how they have applied these skills. Performance in the EPA will determine the apprenticeship grade of fail, pass or distinction.
Applicants must be employed in a care management role and have passed GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above or achieved Level 2 functional skills in both English and Maths.
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to completion of their Apprenticeship.
For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.#
Undertake the Disclosure and Barring Service process and provide the result.
This Apprenticeship programme is delivered in the workplace, so that apprentices can gain experience and skills from you in conjunction with further online learning. Day-release study days may be required, and will be planned individually with you as an employer. Apprentice attendance at college may be required for interviews, Functional Skills exams and end-point assessment exams.
To apply for this apprenticeship please read through the information below and then click the ‘Apply Online’ button from the menu located further down the page where you will be able to proceed with your application.
In order to enrol onto this apprenticeship programme you must either:
or
If you are unsure about any of the above and would like to speak to our apprenticeships team directly then please contact us using the below:
01206 712043 – Applicant Enquiries or email:
ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
Employer Enquiries
If you would be interested to find out more about how this apprenticeship can work for your business or already have a member of staff who this apprenticeship would be perfect for please contact us using the ‘Hire an Apprentice: Enquire Here’ button in the menu below.
How is my business going to benefit from an apprentice?
Apprenticeships are a means of developing a skilled, motivated and qualified workforce, resulting in increased flexibility of the workforce and increased organisational efficiency. Recruiting apprentices helps you to ‘grow your own’ future talent, enabling individuals without the relevant qualifications to progress their career.
Our occupationally competent and highly experienced assessors will work closely with your staff to support your apprentice as they complete work-based tasks and assignments.
Our staff will deliver high-quality training, regular support, progress reports, workplace observations and action plans to support your apprentice from entry through to the gateway for end-point assessment.
Our flexible and bespoke courses are designed to meet your business needs with tailored delivery methods, including:
E-Portfolio, E-Functional Skills, Regular Communication, Online Learning Resources.
Fill your skills gaps: an Apprentice’s training is tailored to your organisation’s needs, resulting in a loyal, motivated work force Increase productivity by developing staff skills and expertise.
Value for money: a cost effective way to attract new talent and fresh eyes into your organisation.
Cost saving: we can advertise your vacancies and recruit the best candidates for your needs.
An industry recognised professional qualification can be built into the course which your apprentice will bring back to the business, providing value for money and a return on investment in their career as well as bringing back up to date knowledge from college.
When taking on an apprentice, there are certain expectations that must be met by the both the employer and the apprentice. As the employer, you are expected to:
Levy paying employers can access levy funds to pay for this programme, and our blended learning model can contribute to the 20% off- the-job training requirement.
The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017 has changed the way that government funds apprenticeships in England. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3million are required to contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy.
Speak to an Advisor at our employer engagement team on 01206 712043 to make your levy payments work for you.
Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.
Where applicable, non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship.
An employer contribution fee will be required for:
*For non-levy paying employers full government funding is available for an apprentice aged between 16-21 years old and apprentices aged between 22-24 years old who have either an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or has been in the care of their local authority, where the employer employs less than 50 employees.
Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.
Skilled and knowledgeable staff must be available to support the apprentice in the workplace.
College attendance where required will be communicated post-application and enrolment.
Colchester Institute is the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Greater Essex. We are experts at connecting the right people, to the right training, to the right business – and when it comes to Apprenticeships, our Apprenticeship Advisors can support your business every step of the way.
As part of our comprehensive service, we offer:
In addition, our team provides:
Partner with Colchester Institute to unlock the full potential of apprenticeships for your business. Let us help you find the right talent and develop the workforce you need for success.
Off-the-Job Training (OJT) is one of the key requirements for all apprenticeship standards.
Apprentices must spend 20% of their contracted working hours undertaking Off-the-Job Training, which is defined as “learning undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads toward the achievement of an apprenticeship.”
Off-the-Job Training must be directly relevant to the apprentice’s programme and teach them new knowledge, skills and behaviours that will help them reach competence in their occupation and ensure that apprentices are actively learning and working to attain the required knowledge and skills within their sector while enrolled in their placement program.
What does Off-the-Job Training Look Like?
Off-the-Job Training must account for at least 20% of an apprentice’s contracted working hours within their full-time employment as an apprentice.
This means that their time might be broken down like the below:
The above depends on their contracted working hours within the day and/or working week, as well as the length of their programme.
For example, Apprentices working more hours in the day and the week, as well as those whose programmes are longer than 12 months in duration, then their Off-the-Job Training requirement will still consist of 20% of their contracted hours but the total number of working hours and total time dedicated to OJT will be different the above.
Why is Off-the-Job Training Conducted within the Apprentice’s Contracted Hours?
An apprenticeship is a work-based programme, and any training that contributes towards an apprentice’s development should be included in their contracted working hours.
The Department for Education (DfE) has said that it would be unreasonable to expect an apprentice to undertake training that is part of their apprenticeship in their own time, therefore if training must take place outside of the apprentice’s working hours, then this should be recognised by both the Employer and Training Provider.
An example of this would be if an apprentice has to attend a 2-hour lecture scheduled after their working hours, then arrangements should be made by the training provider and employer for the apprentice to make up the time by leaving work 2 hours early.
What does Off-the-Job Training Include?
Off-the-Job Training can include a number of activities that can take place on or off the employer’s normal work premises.
If you are unsure of whether an activity can be regarded as Off-the-Job Training, the below questions form a useful point of reference:
If the answers to the questions are all yes, then this counts as towards OJT. These can include:
The Teaching of Theory
This can include lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning, manufacturer training and so on. Teaching theory should help the apprentice better understand their role, the topics and subjects relevant to their role and their sector in more detail.
Practical Training
This can include shadowing, mentoring, industry visits, attendance at competitions and so on. This training should practically train the apprentice and teach them skills that they can use in their current job or in a future position.
Learning Support
This refers to learning support provided by the Employer or the Training Provider. Some apprentices may require more assistance in their programme to help them reach their best potential. This includes time spent conducting projects, writing assignments and so on.
Learning support counts towards OJT to ensure that all individuals have the support needed and that all barriers to education and training are removed. This could include:
Time spent on assignments is also included in OJT as new knowledge, skills and behaviours can be developed while completing them.
While OJT takes place outside of normal working duties, it is possible to undergo OJT at the apprentice’s workstation. For example, OJT could include learning to use a new machine or undertaking e-learning. While conducting this training, normal working duties should not be required of the apprentice.
Off-the-Job Training can also take place at home via distance learning. If there is a program of study that the apprentice can complete online that contributes to the completion of their apprenticeship, as long as the learning package is included as part of a blended learning programme, this can be counted as an OJT activity.
The activity that the apprentice undertakes is the main focus of OJT. As long as the OJT activity actively contributes to the completion of the apprenticeship, the location matters less than the activity itself.
Essentially OJT is Employers or Training Providers setting aside time for the apprentice to improve themselves, their knowledge and/or their skills.
Off-the-Job Training cannot include:
(*although, as mentioned before, there are exceptions if this time is made up within their working hours)
The government acknowledges that apprentices will inevitably want to spend time outside of working hours to familiarise themselves with their work. However, any personal initiative shown by the apprentice will not count towards Off-the-Job Training.
Any time that an apprentice takes to conduct OJT is counted towards their normal working hours. That means that if an apprentice is interested in undertaking training outside of their working hours, they should ask their Employer and Training Provider first and see if arrangements can be made to accommodate this.
Preparing for Off-the-Job Training?
It is the responsibility of the Employer and Training Provider to ensure that the apprentice spends 20% of their apprenticeship undertaking Off-the-Job Training. Completion of OJT must be documented and evidenced in order for the apprentice to complete the apprenticeship.
In order to comply with the funding rules, each apprentice should receive a commitment statement from the Employer/Training Provider outlining the program of training the apprentice will receive and how the Employer/Training Provider intends to spend the Off-the-Job Training time. The recipient of ESFA funding (usually the main provider) should keep, update and maintain the relevant files.
The ESFA will remain flexible about the type of evidence that should be retained and provided. They want Training Providers and Employers to use naturally occurring evidence where it is available. Many Training Providers have their own systems of collecting and storing evidence. Some examples of naturally occurring evidence might include:
For more details and examples on how to proceed with Off-the-Job Training, you can click here to see the full OJT document from the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
The Government funds apprenticeships using the apprenticeship funding rules in place on the date the apprenticeship started. This applies to all employers, both those who pay the apprenticeship levy and those who do not.
Employers choose the training they would like their apprentice to receive throughout their apprenticeship. All new starts must follow an approved apprenticeship standard.
Each apprenticeship standard is in a funding band. These funding bands range from £1,500 to £27,000 and are paid through the employers digital apprenticeship account.
Employers can get help from the government to pay for apprenticeship training.
The amount you get depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy or not. You pay the levy if you’re an employer with a pay bill over £3 million each year.
Every employer who pays the levy has a digital account where they can access their levy funds to spend on apprenticeship training.
For non-levy paying employers the Government funding pays between 95% and 100% of the apprentice training costs, up to the funding band maximum. This is known as co-investment.
Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.
For new starts from 1st April 2024, employers who do not pay the levy, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training costs, up to the funding band maximum for apprentices who at the start of their apprenticeship training are aged between:
For starts before 31st March 2024, for employers who do not pay the levy and have fewer than 50 employees, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training costs, up to the funding band maximum, for apprentices who at the start of their apprenticeship training are aged between:
Non-levy paying employers taking on an apprentice who does not meet the above age and eligibility criteria will be required to pay the 5% co-investment fee.
An employer contribution fee will be required for:
For more information about funding bands, please visit Apprenticeship Funding Bands.
Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear when you speak with our employer engagement team.
For any agreed associated costs, payments will be made directly to the training provider at the point of enrolment or a payment schedule. Payment schedules can be discussed with our employer engagement team prior to signing contracts. For more information about apprenticeship contribution fees please contact our engagement team on 01206 712043.
A National Minimum Wage for apprentices was introduced on 1 October 2010. The wage applies to all apprentices aged under 19; and apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their Apprenticeship.
As of April 1st 2024 the national minimum wage for apprentices is £6.40 an hour and applies to time working, plus time spent training that is part of the Apprenticeship. This rate applies to apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year of the apprenticeship. Apprentices must be paid at least the national minimum wage rate if they’re an apprentice aged 19 or over and have completed their first year.
Employers who use apprenticeship standards to upskill existing staff should avoid reducing an employee’s salary to place them on an apprenticeship. Instead, successful completion of the apprenticeship standard can serve as an opportunity to raise an employee’s salary. It’s important to note that this salary increase is not mandatory for completing the apprenticeship but is advisable to retain valuable staff.
Employers are free to pay above the national minimum wage and many do so, but employers must ensure that they are paying their apprentices at least the minimum wage. If an apprentice is on a higher wage, the employer must continue to pay that for the remainder of the training or until the apprentice becomes eligible for the full national minimum wage.
You must be at least:
These rates are for the National Living Wage (for those aged 21 and over) and the National Minimum Wage (for those of at least school leaving age). The rates change on 1st April every year.
21 and over | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice | |
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April 2024 | £11.44 | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:
Example: An apprentice aged 21 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £6.40.
Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they both:
Example: An apprentice aged 21 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £11.44.
Government support
Employers are not required to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions for an apprentice, if the apprentice:
Employers with fewer than 50 people working for them will be able to train 16-18-year-old apprentices without making a contribution towards the costs of training. The government will pay 100% of the training costs for these individuals. For individuals aged 22 years and above, the government will fund 95% of the training costs for the apprenticeship, with the employer contributing the remaining 5%. This is known as co-investment.
Levy paying employers with available funds in their digital account will fund all apprenticeship training costs. Where a levy paying employers digital account does not have enough funds to cover training costs, then co-investment rules above will apply.
We recognise that providers face some additional costs associated with training younger learners and those that need additional support.
Providers will get an extra £1,000 payment for supporting apprentices aged:
We pay this over 2 equal instalments at 90 days and 365 days. This is on top of the funds that providers receive for training. It does not come from employer accounts.
Unlock Additional Funding for Apprenticeships in Tendring
In collaboration with Tendring District Council and East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust, an extra £1,500 is now available for employers based in Tendring. Whether you’re hiring a new apprentice or upskilling an existing staff member through an apprenticeship, this funding can be claimed. There are no age restrictions, and it can be combined with the existing funding for 16–18 year-olds. To qualify, the apprentice must be recruited with the intention of closing long term skills gaps, and the employer’s postcode must fall within the Tendring District.
How will this additional funding be paid?
We’ll send the payment in 3 equal instalments for each apprentice.
To be eligible, your apprentice must complete:
Once the apprenticeship information has been checked, we will process the payments.
The apprenticeship levy
The levy was introduced on 6 April 2017 and is charged at a rate of 0.5% of an employers’ pay bill, paid through PAYE on a monthly basis.
Each employer has a levy allowance of £15,000, this is not a cash payment. It works in a similar way to the personal tax allowance.
The impact of the allowance means that fewer than 1.3% of UK employers, those with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million, are liable to pay the levy. Employers in England who pay the levy
will be able to get out more than they pay in, through a 10% top-up to their online accounts.
An employer’s pay bill is made up of the total amount of the employees’ earnings that are subject to Class 1 National Insurance contributions, such as:
– wages
– bonuses
– commissions
– pension contributions
What about non-levy paying employers?
Employers with a pay bill of less than £3 million a year will not need to pay the levy.
At least 95% of non-levy paying employers’ apprenticeship training and assessment costs in England will be paid for by the government. The government will ask these employers to make a 5% contribution to the cost, paid directly to the provider, and the government covers the rest. This cost will be spread over the lifetime of the apprenticeship.
For new starts from 1st April 2024, where the employer does not pay the apprenticeship levy, the government will fund all of the apprenticeship training costs, up to the funding band maximum, for apprentices who are aged between 16 and 21 years old when they start their apprenticeship training. This removes the need for non-levy paying employers to pay the 5% co-investment cost of training if they meet the below:
Non-levy paying employers taking on an apprentices who does not meet the above age and eligibility criteria will be required to pay the 5% co-investment fee.
Apprenticeship funding changes for SMEs
As of the 1st of April 2024, the government will now fully fund apprenticeships in small businesses by paying the full cost of training for anyone up to the age of 22 (previously only up to 18) – reducing costs and burdens to the business and delivering more opportunities for people of all ages to kick start their career or upskill/reskill within their current role.
If you are ready to make an application then please click the Apply Online button in the menu below.
Level | Level 5 |
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Location | Colchester |
Duration | 18 - 24 Months |
Campus / Adult Skills Centre | Colchester Campus |
Apprenticeship Funding Band (Levy paying employers) | £7,000 |
Employer Contribution Fee (Non-levy paying employers) | £350 |
All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2024-25 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.
Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.
The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.