In an important announcement the Department of Health & Social Care has agreed funding over 3 financial years 2026 – 2029 to support level 7 apprenticeships in 5 key health professions:
Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Specialist Community Public Health Nurse
District Nurse (Community Specialist Practice Qualification)
Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP)
Health & Care Intelligence Specialist (PHIS)
You can access the announcement HEREand the NHSE slides HERE
The first possible indications of positive discussions between the NHS and government emerged in UVAC’s ‘The Future of L7’ webinar earlier in July. The session explored a range of activities underway to support L7 delivery from January 2026. UVAC was joined by Lucy Hunte, National Programme Manager – Apprenticeships to explain the discussions between NHS England and their sponsor department tin government, the Department of Health and Social Care. The announcement acknowledges the critical nature of these key apprenticeships to the NHS alongside many other L7 occupations and provides a vital funding route.
The webinar also explored other core possible solutions to maintaining or evolving L7 delivery including the use of alternative qualifications at L6 with top ups, employer fully funded apprenticeships, and building a case for lobbying. Members are also able to download the slides and stream the listen again webcast from the webinar pages HERE
