The Rehabilitation Worker Visual Impairment apprenticeship

The FdSc Rehabilitation Work apprenticeship helps to train the next generation of Rehabilitation Work (Visual Impairment) practitioners. The apprentice works for their employer alongside undertaking off the job training with BCU.

The BCU apprenticeship is designed to meet the standards outlined in the Rehabilitation Work Visual Impairment Apprenticeship Standard.

Apprenticeship - rehabilitation work

Important note: The Rehabilitation Worker Apprenticeship standard is currently under review. Changes made to the standard may affect how BCU delivers the apprenticeship. For example, the requirement for attendance at face to face sessions may change.

What do I need to ensure as an employer?

The apprentice is employed in England and has an employment contract that covers the duration of the apprenticeship (typically two years).
The apprentice is working within an experienced team of Rehabilitation Workers (Visual Impairment) and has a dedicated mentor who is a qualified RW. You will need to identify this person as part of your preparation processes.
The apprentice is paid at least the minimum wage.
Your organisation is a levy payer with a payroll of over £3m per annum. Alternatively, you may be a non-levy payer who can agree a Levy transfer from your Local Authority to fund the apprenticeship. You can find information about funding on the Government’s apprenticeship website.
For apprentices working below a 30 hour week, the length of the apprenticeship will need to be extended pro rata. This may delay the completion of the end point assessment. We recommend apprentices work at least a 30 hour week.

What activities are typically associated with a working week?

Apprentices must be employed within a Rehabilitation Work (Visual Impairment) team alongside experienced practitioners to gain knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to the apprenticeship standard. This team need to be able to provide regular joint working and opportunities to observe practice to support the apprentice’s progression.
All apprentices will need to have a dedicated workplace mentor within the team. This person will be a qualified Rehabilitation Worker Visual Impairment with at least two years’ experience. This person should be confirmed prior to recruiting an apprentice.
The mentor will also need to be involved with tripartite review meetings every 10 to 11 weeks to discuss apprentice progress and offer feedback in end of year reports.
On the job training is to become occupationally competent in the role of the Rehabilitation Worker Visual Impairment.

What time away is needed for training?

Apprentices will need to attend seven block learning weeks in Birmingham. These are spread throughout each of the two academic years of the apprenticeship.

Below is an example of the 2021-22 block learning weeks. This is a guideline only - scheduling and attendance is subject to change.

GL = group learning

GL1 at BCU 6th - 10th September 2021
GL2 at BCU 11th - 15th October 2021
GL3 at BCU 22nd - 26th November 2021
GL4 at BCU 10th - 14th January 2022
GL5 at BCU 7th - 11th February 2022
GL6 at BCU 21st - 25th March 2022
GL7 Assessment weeks at BCU
Groups A & B 9th - 13th May 2022
Groups C & D 16th - 20th May 2022

Apprentices will also need one independent study day per week. This off the job training time will be documented and tracked through the course.

Apprenticeship step by step

1. Set up an account to manage the apprenticeship funding

Visit the government website for information about setting up and registering an employer apprenticeship account.

2. Sign your employer agreement

Before you can start adding apprentices, you’ll need to sign a legal agreement with the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).

This authorises your apprenticeship funding to be paid.

3. Apply to join the BCU Apprenticeship

View the agreement between an employer and the Department for Education (DfE) document.

Ensure you have an experienced Rehabilitation Worker Visual Impairment Practitioner who is willing to be a mentor during the two years of the apprenticeship.
Speak with the BCU course team about your plan for taking on an apprentice.

4. Recruit your apprentice (internally or externally) – ensuring they meet our entry requirements

The apprentice will need to attend a BCU selection day to ensure they have the baseline skills and competence required to achieve the apprenticeship.

Once you have recruited the apprentice/s, add your apprenticeships to your digital apprenticeship account and authorise payment to your training provider.

5. Setting things up with BCU

We invite employers to join Aptem, our online apprenticeship on-boarding process. This will involve:

Providing initial employer information including the name of the mentor you have selected.
Apprentice on-boarding information: The apprentice will join the system and provide their application information, upload evidence of ID / qualifications, complete literacy and numeracy diagnostic assessments and undertake an initial skills scan.
Our Apprenticeship Partnership Unit will contact the employer and apprentice to complete the apprenticeship Training Contract, Commitment Statement and Apprenticeship Agreement.

6. Apprentice undertakes FdSc course

The apprenticeship typically takes two years. Progress is monitored at face to face meetings between the apprentice and their BCU personal tutor during block learning weeks, as well as at three way reviews between the apprentices, employers and BCU personal tutor at quarterly meetings. The apprentice will need to document how they have used their on and off the job training time.

7. Completion of End Point Assessment (EPA)

Following completion of the off the job training, all apprentices must complete the End Point Assessment to achieve the Rehabilitation Worker apprenticeship.
This is a mandatory part of the Apprenticeship and assesses the quality of the training provider.
There will be a three way meeting between the University, the employer and the apprentice to monitor the apprentice’s progress and readiness for the EPA.
At present, the EPA consists of two elements – follow the link for the apprenticeship standard for the full details of this assessment:

Case study exam
Orientation and mobility practical teach and discussion.

The apprentice may need additional time away from their day to day working role to prepare for and undertake these assessments.
The off the job training delivered by BCU supports apprentices with working towards the competence to achieve the EPA.

FAQs

Can our agency up skill our Rehabilitation Work assistants?

Yes, as long as there is substantial new learning. Also, they will need to be employed and have an employment contract that covers the duration of the apprenticeship.

What if my apprentice has already studied at degree level in a different area?

This is okay as long as there is substantial new learning.

Get help

National Apprenticeship Service

Fill in the enquiry form or contact the National Apprenticeship Service for more information about the funding available.

Telephone: 0800 015 0600

Useful contact details

BCU Rehab Work Apprenticeship / FdSc Rehabilitation Work (Visual Impairment)

Peter Cooke: Senior Lecturer/Admissions Tutor

Email: Peter.Cooke@bcu.ac.uk

REHABILITATION WORKER (VISUAL IMPAIRMENT) APPRENTICESHIP

Take a look at the Rehabilitation Worker (Visual Impairment) Apprenticeship course page for more information and full entry requirements.

Rehabilitation Worker Apprenticeship course page