Support Worker Central

As a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW), you have valuable experience that can help you transition into a registered healthcare role. There are several routes available that combine formal education with practical experience to help you gain the knowledge and skills required for registration. Some, such as the Open University nursing programme, allow you to stay in your current HCSW position while studying.  

These routes have become clearer for entry to nurse education as illustrated in this infographic.  For allied health professions, there is a direct route for occupational therapy, but for other professions it may not be so clear, we recommend having an early conversation with the University providing the programme you are interested in.  

Making this transition is a significant step, so it's important to seek advice from others who have taken this path. Speak with fellow HCSWs, your line manager, practice educators, and practice development teams to gather as much information as possible. Your local college or university can also provide clear guidance on your options for advancing into a registered healthcare role. 

It can also be helpful to discuss your aspirations and seek support from family and friends during this process. 

For more details, visit the Career Pathways page and choose the subsection that best aligns with your area of practice. There, you'll find information on educational pathways and programmes.