Development of Nursing Associates in Nursing Homes

In October 2022, we contacted you about a proposed project to provide financial support to Nursing Homes who wished to train Nursing Associates within their organisation. We are very pleased that the project has been approved and we are now inviting Nursing Homes in Cornwall to apply to take part.

As part of the wider Cornwall Integrated Care System, we have been awarded £60K from Health Education England’s (HEE) ‘Social Care Repurposing’ grant for upskilling or otherwise enhancing and creating positive changes in the social care workforce. This funding will be used to build on existing work and further support the development of the Trainee Nurse Associate (TNA) role within Nursing Homes in Cornwall.

The project will support three Nursing Homes by contributing to the salary of a TNA during the off-site study time of the two-year apprenticeship course. The Nursing Home will pay the salary during on-the-job protected learning time. The total value of the funding to each successful nursing home will be £18,100 over the two years. Additional funding to cover the cost of the course fees (via the Apprenticeship levy) can also be applied for from Cornwall Council or RCHT.

The course will be delivered by Truro & Penwith College starting in September 2023. More information about the apprenticeship can be found on the Truro & Penwith College website. To find out more about the role of Nursing Associates in social care please visit the Skills for Care website.

We will be holding a drop-in session on Wednesday 29 March (time TBC) with the college to answer any questions you have about the project or the apprenticeship course itself. Email proudtocare@cornwall.gov.uk to receive a calendar invitation and joining link for MS Teams. If you have any questions we recommend you attend this session prior to submitting your application. If you're unable to attend please email your questions to Proud to Care.

Requirements and things to remember:

• You must already employ at least two Registered Nurses who can act as supervisors and assessors to your apprentice. Training can be given by Truro & Penwith College to support your existing staff in these roles.
• Your Nursing Home must have a CQC rating of 'Good' or above
• You (the employer) will pay your apprentice's salary during their protected learning time in the home, roughly 11 hours per week.
• This is a two-year apprenticeship
• Your student will need to spend c.1400 hours away from the Nursing Home to complete college days and external placements over the two years
• Your student must be ready to start the course in September 2023 (due to the funding we are not able to defer this)
• The student must be able to travel within Cornwall for college days and external placements
• The Nursing Associate is an NMC registered role

If you are able to meet all of the requirements, you are invited to make your application by completing the survey below. Where we receive multiple applications, we will try to ensure a spread across different geographical parts of Cornwall and client groups being cared for.

The deadline for applications is end of the day on Wednesday 5th April 2023.