HCSW Specific Resources:

Here are some resources we have highlighted as most relevant to HCSWs, or those managing HCSWs.

HCSW Development and Education Framework

Microsoft 365 Skills Hub

Available to all NHS Scotland staff, the M365 Skills Hub hosts a range of guided learning modules for all M365 Apps.

Profession Specific Information

HCSW Networks

Online Learning Week 2023

This playlist of around 20 video edits features the best seminars from Online Learning Week and is an easily accessible learning resource for our Support Workforce, i.e. practitioners in business and administration and estates and facilities roles as well as clinical support workforce colleagues in nursing, midwifery, and the allied health professions.

Support Worker Central

Knowledge, Information and Data (KIND) Learning Network

An inclusive and supportive community of practice for staff across the knowledge, information, and data workforce.

HCSW – Workbooks

These optional workbooks can be used to supplement HCSW induction and focus more on practical skills suitable to AHP HCSWs.

Please note – these workbooks belong to NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and may not have been updated in some time. Updated versions of some of the workbooks are available via the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSO) website, however, you must be a member to access.

HCSWs In Changing Roles

Moving from one post to another or starting in the NHS can be very daunting, and it isn’t always easy to find what you need to know. Below, we have organised some resources that we have shared to HCSWs that have asked for our help over the years, and hopefully these are useful to you too. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please email us to ask if there’s anything more

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For those completely new to the NHS/ Health and Social Care, the below resources may come in handy.

Resource	Description
Preparing for work in Health and Social Care (Turas page) must be signed in to access –	Page of resources, information and learning modules to support staff coming into H&SC with minimal experience. Of interest specific to AHP HCSWs: – Who’s Who in Health and Social Care – Introduction to Palliative and end of life Care – Clinical Observations – Acutely unwell and deteriorating individuals
HCSW Induction Standards HCSW Induction Standards Workbook	A set of performance criteria you must evidence as part of your 3 month induction. A workbook for HCSWs to use, with their reviewer/ line manager/ supervisor, to evidence achievement of meeting the induction standards
HCSW Codes of Conduct	The HCSW Codes of Conduct is “a list of statements that set the standard for how you should work on a day-to-day basis” – these responsibilities are defined in a very general sense to suit all HCSWs across all professions/ departments.
Profession Specific Frameworks: – Physiotherapy HCSW Rehabilitation Framework – Occupational Therapy HCSW Rehabilitation Framework	These frameworks are to be used in tandem with the HCSW Mandatory induction standards an HCSW Code of Conduct to ensure effective practice of PT/ OT HCSWs. There are plans to develop further profession specific frameworks for other AHPs – updates are shared via the NES HCSW Newsletter.
DNAT Level 3 (Band 3) DNAT Level 4 (Band 4)	Use this tool to see if you meet all of the standards across the 4 pillars within your level.

Please see the other resources on this page that are appropriate for all HCSWs.

Moving to a B4 from a B3 can mean a step up in learning, responsibilities and expectations. Use the resources below to support your learning in your new role (and good luck!).

Resource	Description
Profession Specific Frameworks: – Physiotherapy HCSW Rehabilitation Framework – Occupational Therapy HCSW Rehabilitation Framework	If you work in OT/PT joint roles, it can be useful to look at the differences in expectations in terms of clinical work across the levels by accessing these frameworks. There are plans to develop further profession specific frameworks for other AHPs – updates are shared via the NES HCSW Newsletter.
Development and Education Framework for level 2-4 NMAHP Healthcare Support Workers Development Needs Analysis Tool (DNAT) Level 4 (Band 4) Learning activities to support each pillar of practice	This framework outlines expectations for each level (2-4) of HCSWs across the 4 pillars of practice Use this tool to see if you meet all of the standards across the 4 pillars within your level. Use these resources, plus the ones on this site, to facilitate your learning in areas you’ve identified as needing worked on using the DNAT
Making Delegation Safe and Effective	As a B4, you may be expected to delegate to B2s or B3s – use this Sway to help you understand your roles and responsibilities regarding delegation.

Please see the other resources on this page that are appropriate for all HCSWs.

Whether it’s clinical, research, leadership or something else, there are lots of resources to help you develop within your role. Some of these are detailed below!

Resource	Description
Profession Specific Frameworks: – Physiotherapy HCSW Rehabilitation Framework – Occupational Therapy HCSW Rehabilitation Framework	If you work in OT/PT joint roles, it can be useful to look at the differences in expectations in terms of clinical work across the levels by accessing these frameworks. There are plans to develop further profession specific frameworks for other AHPs – updates are shared via the NES HCSW Newsletter.
Development and Education Framework for level 2-4 NMAHP Healthcare Support Workers Development Needs Analysis Tool (DNAT) Level 3 (Band 3) Development Needs Analysis Tool (DNAT) Level 4 (Band 4) Learning activities to support each pillar of practice	This framework outlines expectations for each level (2-4) of HCSWs across the 4 pillars of practice. Use this tool to see if you meet all of the standards across the 4 pillars within your level. Use these resources, plus the ones on this site, to facilitate your learning in areas you’ve identified as needing worked on using the DNAT
Making Delegation Safe and Effective	As a B3, it’s important to understand what you should and should not accept in terms of delegation, and how to articulate your role in the process. As a B4, you may be expected to delegate to B2s or B3s, and need to do it effectively to ensure safe and effective practice., while also being delegated to by registered staff. Use this Sway to help you understand your roles and responsibilities regarding delegation, relating to your role as a delegator or delegate.
NES HCSW Promotions: – NES HCSW Newsletter – NES HCSW Networks – Learning on the GO Event Series	Newsletter – updates regarding qualifications, framework updates and other opportunities are shared via the quarterly newsletter – make sure to sign up via the page to receive it! Networks – you can request to join the Healthcare Support Worker Advisory Group or the Healthcare Support Worker Education Network, and contribute to HCSW development, national changes, and local discussions! Every 2 months or so, NES host a learning and development session online (roughly 1hr 30mins long) to explore various parts of the HCSW role, from leadership, to dealing with bereavement, to understanding qualification structures. These sessions are recorded, so if you aren’t able to attend, you can access the recording and materials in your own time.

Our team are currently exploring academic pursuits for existing members of HCSW staff (e.g., Scottish Vocational Awards (SVQs), Professional Development Awards (PDAs)), and will update this site once we have a more comprehensive understanding of what these entail and how to access them.

If you or your team have any experience of either undertaking or supporting any such qualifications, please reach out to our team to discuss your opinions! Email us at: loth.ahppracticeeducation@nhs.scot

Please see the other resources on this page that are appropriate for all HCSWs.

As part of the HCSW Commission 2021, developing “earn as you learn” routes into registered AHP Practice has been identified as a priority, but these have not yet been created.

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is working alongside colleges, NHS boards, and the SQA to develop new qualifications that could be used to articulate HCSWs into 2nd year of certain degree programmes. Updates regarding these are shared via the HCSW Networks and HCSW Newsletters. We will update this site once we know more/ updates have been shared.

Although there is no direct route into registered AHP practice for HCSWs yet, if it’s something you might like to pursue when made available, it’s a good idea to make sure you have lots of experience and learning under your belt. Use the resources in the “B3 or B4 looking to develop in my current role” tab to access resources which will help you to gain the knowledge and skills needed to advance when the time comes.