Midwife Degree Apprenticeship - Level 6 - University of Staffordshire

A midwife provides comprehensive care, support, and advice to women and pregnant people during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period.

This occupation is found in a range of healthcare settings offering different models of care. Most midwives are employed by the NHS while others work in the private sector, social enterprise or independently. A midwife may work in the community such as in a woman’s home, community hubs, GP surgeries, clinics, midwife-led units and birth centres or in hospital maternity units. This means that they usually work shifts including evenings, weekends and nights and can be on-call to provide 24-hour care.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to be the first and main contact for a woman, her partner and family. Recognised as a responsible and accountable professional, the midwife acts as an advocate for the woman, working in partnership with her and giving the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. They offer support, care and advice and are responsible for facilitating births and providing care for the newborn. Midwives are experts in normal physiological birth and in supporting the woman through all birth outcomes.

Who is it for?

Individuals working in midwifery units or in the community supporting midwifery services. This could be a progression route for Midwifery Care Assistants. Specific job roles may include Apprentice Midwife; Student Midwife.

Location: Centre for Health Innovation Stafford
Duration: 3 years including a 1-month Apprenticeship Assessment
Start date(s): September

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Course content

This apprenticeship will cover how to provide family-centred and evidence-based care in different settings, including homes, hospitals, communities and midwifery-led units. Apprentices will spend half of their study hours in practice and half in university study. The programme will cover theory of anatomy, physiology and the reproductive cycle as well as clinical skill such as screenings, observations, taking blood and reviewing scans and care plans.

We also have amazing simulation facilities, including wards, interactive manikins and a robotic baby allow apprentice's to practise treating patients and dealing with everything from breech births to suturing.

This apprenticeship is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which means apprentices can apply to become a registered midwife after graduation.

What qualification will be achieved?

BMid (Hons) Midwifery
Midwife Degree Apprenticeship
Eligible to register as a Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Modules

Year 1:

Holistic health across the reproductive lifespan
Introduction to the safe and effective midwife 1
Introduction to the safe and effective midwife 2
Introduction to the safe and effective midwife 3
Professional legal and ethical considerations
Public health in midwifery practice

Year 2:

Altered health in maternity care
Developing the safe and effective midwife 4
Developing the safe and effective midwife 5
Developing the safe and effective midwife 6
Optimising neonatal health
Promoting reproductive health

Year 3:

Midwife as colleague, scholar and leader
The evidence base for practice
The midwife as a skilled practitioner Module 7
The midwife as a skilled practitioner Module 8
The midwife as a skilled practitioner Module 9

Entry requirements

To be eligible, apprentices will need to provide evidence of the following:

Achievement of Level 2 Maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent) OR demonstrate ability at Level 2 in both Maths and English, this would be determined by an initial assessment conducted by University of Staffordshire.

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £26,000 per apprentice.

For non-levy paying organisations there may be a financial contribution of 5% which equates to £1,300 per apprentice.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

This programme is delivered using a blended learning model including face-to-face sessions on campus, complimented by online webinars.

Assessment

Throughout the apprenticeship a variety of assessment methods could be used, these include:

Written assignments
Examinations
Reflective activities
Group assessments
Presentations
Professional discussions
Academic assignments
Critical analysis

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support provided by the course teaching team, our central Academic Skills Team provide resources, group and one-to-one help to support learning in a number of areas. These include:

study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy)
academic writing (including how to reference)
research skills
critical thinking and understanding arguments
revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

The Student Life Team offer support, advice and guidance to apprentices with inclusion requirements. The team can arrange reasonable adjustments to support with learning needs, long term health condition, mental health condition or disabilities

Feedback

Progress feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, written feedback will be made available to all apprentices who take written examinations or assessments.

Responsibilities

Employers must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning.
Ensure apprentices spend at least 6 hours per week of their time on off-the-job training.
Enter into a contract with University of Staffordshire.
Participate in reviews with the apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice.
Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
Recognise that apprentices must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours.
Support the apprentice to gain new skills.

If they are a citizen of the UK or a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area with Pre-settled or Settled status, they must have been an ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
If they are a non UK national or EEA National without pre-settled or settled status, they must hold a visa (not for educational purposes) for the full duration of the apprenticeship at the start of the programme and been an ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours.
Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Be in a job role relevant for the apprenticeship where significant new knowledge and skills are required.
Be in full-time employment for typically 30 hours a week.
Has the right to work in England.
Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs.
Not enrolled on another apprenticeship or accessing other government funding at the same time.
Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.

Administer the funding and running of the Apprenticeship Standard to an acceptable level of quality and in compliance with the DfE’s requirements.
Agree jointly between the University, the Employer and Apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the Apprentice.
Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP.
Provide support on selection of the apprenticeship assessor, if applicable. The apprenticeship assessment will be completed by University of Staffordshire for all integrated degrees.

Careers

Upon completion of this apprenticeship, apprentices will be a qualified Midwife and can continue to work in a variety of workplaces. They may wish to seek out further development opportunities such as specialisms or further postgraduate study.

Apprentices will also have access to career support, our dedicated careers team can support with professional branding, career mapping and accessing potential.

Facilities

Midwifery Skills Lab

These state-of-the-art labs allow a number of clinical procedures to be simulated on mannequins, enabling students to reach a level of confidence and proficiency before carrying out procedures on real patients. Read more

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Lifelike Living Space (Stafford)

The lifelike living space lets you practice your skills in a variety of non-clinical settings, including our configurable house environment.

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Immersive Suites

Our immersive suites can simulate almost any environment from hospital to office and house to roadside. The suite allows 360 projection with realistic sounds from that environment.

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Enquire

To join a higher degree apprenticeship programme or recruit an apprentice for your business, enquire with us today.

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