Welcome to the NHSGGC Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) resource and development hub. We wanted a place where all resources for HCSW professional development are in the one place. What’s more, we have links to different support sites such as NHS Education for Scotland (NES), our own development programmes and a sample of training courses and instructions on how to access them.
The Open University Healthcare Support Worker Pathway
HCSW interested in becoming a Registered Nurse with an Open University BSc (HONS) qualification for Adult, Child or Mental Health Nursing?
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Work 26+ hours a week in a permanent post
- Have 12 years’ experience in full time education (including all school years)
- Core communication skills at SCQF Level 5 or Standard Grade English (passed at credit level) or National 5 (or the equivalent) in English at the time of application
- Core numeracy skills at SCQF Level 5 or Standard Grade Mathematics (passed at credit level) or National 5 (or the equivalent) in Mathematics or Arithmetic at the time of application
- Good character and good health and
- Have your line manager’s support
For further information please read the awareness and application presentation 2024.
This information sheet outlines how applicants can check their current level of Numeracy and Literacy, as well as information on potential courses that they can undertake to achieve these qualifications prior to application (please note D&G N5 Numeracy course isn’t open for applications yet on the website, but any interested candidates could register for update/notifications).
Completion and submission of this enquiry form will automatically generate the sending of an application pack when the application window opens. However, you can also ask for an application pack by emailing scotland-nursing-applications@open.ac.uk
OU Pre-Registration Nursing Programmes 2025 awareness sessions dates
Come to an awareness session to find out how you can prepare to study nursing with the OU.
OU BSc (Hons) information for managers and employers:
Information on OU induction:
Watch a narrated OU Nursing Presentation which was presented to new students on year 1 of the programme.
HCSW Resources and Development
NHSGGC HCSW induction and code of conduct
Healthcare Support Worker Central
Support Worker Central | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)
Healthcare Support Worker Central is a key tool for all HCSWs, holding recourses from personal development planning, HCSW learning framework and qualifications.
Their latest news, newsletter, forthcoming events, and webinars can be found here. These include an upcoming launch event: Development and Education Framework for Level 2-4 NMAHP Healthcare Support Workers.
Follow @NES_hcsw on Twitter
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ)
Greater Glasgow and Clyde for SVQ information click the link below:
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) – NHSGGC
RCN Scotland
RCN Scotland has a series of bite-sized video guides for HCSWs working in Scotland! The guides are designed for all HCSWs and they cover a range of topics.
Courses for HCSW
Adult/Paediatric basic life support – Can be booked through eESS in coordination with your line manager and should be renewed every 12-18 months.
ABLS – This 1.5 hour session is appropriate for nursing support staff, some registered nursing staff and allied health care professionals.
PBLS – This 2 hour session is appropriate for nursing support staff, some registered nursing staff and allied health care professionals, some school/nursery staff
Cannulation and venepuncture – Can be booked in coordination with your line manager, a learnpro module is a pre requisite of this course.
Moving and handling competency assessor training – Healthcare support workers can become M & H assessors within their area, promoting best moving and handling practice to ensure patients are moved safely and hopefully reduce staff injury.
HCSW’s would attend a one-day training session with the Moving & Handling team and after this they would be able to carry out the assessments within their ward /dept.
Can be booked in coordination with your line manager.
Basic IT skills available for all: Basic IT Training (sharepoint.com)
Gender based violence training for HCSW and training for trainers provided by medics against violence to support HCSW in the instance of voluntary disclosure:
GBV training for HCSWs – Updated.pdf
HCSW Newsletters
Click here for the latest NMAHP newsletter from NES.
Any comments or questions please email: PracticeEducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Content continually developing, please check in from time to time.
The Competency Programme (TCP)
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Practice Education development programme for nursing healthcare support worker (HCSW), The Competency Portfolio (TCP). TCP is a work based programme aimed at development of the knowledge and understanding required for HCSWs to function in a safe and competent manner in order to protect the public.
The portfolio:
- provides clear understanding of the nursing HCSW role
- evidences competency
- links directly with personal development review
- offers opportunity to grow and develop
- provides introduction to further study
The portfolio has been mapped to the Mandatory Induction Standards (Scottish Government, 2009a) and the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers (Scottish Government, 2009b). It also links to NHS Education for Scotland’s guide to Health Care Support Worker Education and Role Development (NES, 2010) and the NHS Knowledge Skills Framework (Department of Health, 2004). The portfolio competencies reinforce good practice through reflection, building upon the mandatory standards.
Access to the programme
All new members of staff working in a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role, including staff transferring internally to a new post within NHSGGC, will be expected to meet the mandatory induction standards and adhere to the HCSW Code of Conduct after 3 months in post (or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of six months). This must be completed prior to commencing TCP.
New to Post HCSWs
On completion of the mandatory induction standards, HCSWs should commence TCP. The SCN/line manager should contact their PEF to arrange an Introduction to the Portfolio session for the HCSW and their assessor/s. Nomination proforma should be completed and returned to the PEF administrator via PracticeEducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. Candidates should aim to complete the portfolio within the next 9 months.
Existing Employees
HCSWs that have previously completed other competency profiles may not need to undertake the core section of TCP. Depending on their area of employment, the HCSW may only need to undertake Unit 6 competencies which are specific to each specialty within NHSGGC. Role development should be discussed with their SCN/PDP Reviewer and PEF to ascertain learning needs prior to nomination. The nomination process above should be followed.
Existing HCSWs who have not previously had access to TCP or other competency programmes can access TCP following discussion with their SCN/line manager as above.
Employees who have previously attained SVQ level 2/3 in Care or an equivalent/higher qualification should discuss this with the SCN/PDP Reviewer and PEF for the area to determine if these meet the needs of the service. Again, depending on the area of employment and speciality, they may be required to only complete Unit 6 competencies.
All candidates will be supported by work based assessors. Candidates and assessors will be supported by the PEF Team
On completion of the above programme, please contact your Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) or email PracticeEducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. Once confirmed your PEF will issue you a certificate of completion.
Assessors
A key area in the successful implementation and development of the programme will be the commitment and support provided by workplace assessors. A workplace assessor will be a registered practitioner who has been updated suitably prepared for this role. They will have the responsibility for supporting and assessing the HCSW through the programme. Support for assessors in ensuring that appropriate evidence is gathered and documented in the HCSW competency portfolio will be provided by their PEF.
Bank staff
As a result of the transient nature of their employment, bank staff cannot be supported and assessed through the programme.
Nomination Form
Contact
All nominations to Practice Education mail box: PracticeEducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
For further information and advice contact your PEF.
Assistant Practitioner Information
Managers Information:
Band 4 Assistant Practitioner Manager Information Sessions
Candidates Information:
Band 4 Assistant Practitioner Candidate Information Sessions
National Early Warning Score
A new programme for Band 3 Healthcare Support Workers to undertake National Early Warning Score(NEWS) (Acute services and HCSP/Community)/Paediatric Early Warning Score(PEWS) or Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) is available to book via eESS.
Please see link below for Adult NEWS:
Endorsed HNC in Healthcare Practice/Pre-registration Nursing
Opportunity has arisen for HCSWs to become Registered Nurses (Adult, Child, Learning Disability and Mental Health) by undertaking a HNC in Healthcare Practice at a local Further Education Institution and articulating into year 2 of a pre-registration nursing programme at Glasgow Caledonian University or the University of the West of Scotland. Further information can be accessed below:
HNC in Healthcare Practice/Pre-registration Nursing information leaflet