Routes for support workers to become registered practitioners

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In this section you will find information and resources which support the transition from support worker to registered practitioner including;

Case study : HCSW career progression to registered practitioner

Amy Finlayson shares her career journey as a HCSW in Physio at Home Team. Hear how the job and ongoing development through modern apprenticeship and SVQ and the support from her team gave her the skills and confidence needed to pursue a physiotherapy degree.

Watch Amy's story

Video transcript available on request - hcsw@nes.scot.nhs.uk

Transitioning to a healthcare student

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.

Resources

Useful resources

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a way of recognising work-based learning and life experiences to support career development.  Learning providers such as Colleges and Universities can assess your evidence to see how much academic credit you can use towards your planned learning. Watch this short animation for more information.