Contemporary Clinical Support Worker Module (Level 4)

An exciting further education programme opportunity for the health care support workforce in Mental Health care settings has been developed for Mersey care. Working in partnership with The University of Central Lancashire (Uclan), we have created a fully online 24-week educational pathway for Clinical Support Workers, due to start delivery in September 2023.   

Motivation for the course

This is an opportunity for existing support workers Bands 2 or 3 who do not currently hold a Level 3 qualification. 

Recognition of the role of the Clinical Support Worker (CSW)Investing in current staff -to be known as the CSW workforce. The NHS Long-Term Plan (2019) identifies the importance of growing the CSW workforce by 6,000 by 2024, an ambition that requires this significant resource to support delivery. Health Education England (HEE) funding will support the development of the course and the training of the CSW workforce. 

Benefits of the course

The aim of the module is to develop your knowledge and skills in the delivery of clinical support to people requiring therapy/ treatment and services during their lifespan. Aligned with the Trainee Nurse Apprenticeship standards so may be considered as a gateway qualification to progress onto theseThe tuition fees will be paid in full for the first three 2022-23 cohorts Also, if you are supported by your team leader/ manager to enrol on this programme, they will endeavour to make sure that you can attend planned study sessions

Who is a Clinical Support Worker?

(CSW)A ‘clinical support worker’ (CSW) is anyone who supports a direct health or care intervention, but is not formally qualified, or registered by a professional body ( for e.g. Nursing & Midwifery Council, or HCPC) Clinical support workers fulfil a variety of clinical support roles, with a variety of job titles. Some of these are universal roles such as healthcare assistant, whilst others have a more specialist focus such as occupational therapy assistant. They are patient facing staff (i.e. not administrative or clerical staff) who do not currently have an associated professional qualification.

The CSW module outline

It will be a 40 credit module, at academic level 4.

This is a PRACTICE MODULE, that will require the student to produce a portfolio that will be witnessed by a practice supervisor.

When is the next cohort? 

The next cohort for the Clinical support work module will start in September 2023.   

Online Learning?

There will be three cohorts; the first will be delivered from September 2022 and take approximately 8 months to complete. To enable you to work and study at the same time, this module will be delivered over a period of 24 weeks. It is proposed that attendance at taught sessions will be fortnightly and delivered over one full day.

Homework? Assessment? Practice?

You will present reflective pieces of work, mini-case studies (wholly anonymised) and records of your competency in all elements of the programme. Your portfolio will build up gradually and include records of your developing practice which will be regularly reviewed by your practice coach and your course tutor. Practice coaches will support your practice development. They will work with you to enable you to get the very best experience for you to meet all the competencies of the programme in the course of your work. Your practice coach will review the completion of your portfolio with you and will confirm when you are competent in the relevant areas.

Entry Criteria 

ADVISORY: Willingness to complete GCSE or equivalent in both maths and English before the end of the programme, if you want this for entry criteria for the TNA programme)Support from your service manager to attend. Commitment to protect time for your study, the in-between session work and to submit the portfolio assignment.