Using apprenticeships to support nursing careers in social care
12 Feb 2025
6 min read
- Apprenticeships
- Learning and development
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we look at how Landermeads Nursing Home is using apprenticeships to support nursing roles in their organisation.
Landermeads is a specialist social care provider that supports people living with dementia and younger adults with a learning disability or complex needs, including mental health and neurological conditions. They are a Care Quality Commission (CQC) ‘Outstanding’ rated provider who have been operating for over 30 years.
Landermeads wanted to provide their staff with clear clinical career progression opportunities. They were confident that they had several members of staff who would make excellent nurses but were unsure how they could support them. Many of their team members experienced barriers such as lack of confidence, negative prior academic experiences, or the inability to leave paid employment to pursue full-time education.
The nursing associate apprenticeship offered the perfect opportunity to help these staff move closer to their nursing goals while learning on the job. Once qualified, nursing associates could balance the emotional and physical health of the residents using their knowledge of the individual, and because of their prior experience in care, would have a great starting point to progress towards becoming fully fledged registered nurses.
Fast forward to the present day, Landermeads is proud to have a team of 17 qualified nursing associates and five student nurses. The apprenticeship route has proven to be a sustainable way for the home to foster clinical expertise from within its workforce.
How do nursing associates continue to progress in their career?
While the introduction of nursing associates has been a success, Landermeads has had its fair share of challenges in progressing its associates. Traditional pathways require them to step away from their roles for extended periods, which can be costly and disruptive. To address this, Landermeads has collaborated with the Open University to offer a degree apprenticeship, allowing their associates to continue working while pursuing further studies with only one day a week dedicated to academic release.
How has the organisation benefitted?
As a result of their commitment to the nursing associate programme, the organisation has seen a notable improvement in retention rates, which in turn has helped ensure better continuity of care from its clinical teams. The nursing associates at Landermeads are given a level of autonomy that allows them to contribute meaningfully to care decisions while being overseen by registered nurses who lead, assess, and plan clinical care delivery. This structure enables them to grow their skills in a supportive environment while maintaining the high standards of care that Landermeads is known for.
What funding did Landermeads access?
Landermeads has accessed several funding streams to support this project. NHS England provides financial support for student nursing associates, offering £8,000 over two years for each learner, with higher funding available for those working with residents with learning disabilities. University fees are covered through the apprenticeship levy scheme, significantly reducing the financial burden on both the employer.
What are Landermeads' future nursing workforce plans?
Landermeads is committed to continuing its investment in the nursing associate apprenticeship. As of 2025, four more members of staff are beginning their apprenticeships, providing them with a great runway for future nursing skills. With some of their current registered nurses nearing retirement, the organisation sees the registered nurse degree apprenticeship as a key opportunity to support this provision.
What do Landermeads nursing associates say about their experience?
Georgia Bowers, a Nursing Associate at Landermeads, reflects on her experience:
Being a nursing associate has been incredibly rewarding. The ability to work with people both emotionally and clinically, drawing from my experience as a support worker alongside my clinical knowledge, is extremely beneficial for the people we care for. I am incredibly grateful to be part of a workplace that invests in this role. Watching each other grow into our roles as nursing associates strengthens our team dynamic, which has a positive impact on those we care for.
This sentiment is echoed by her mother, Caroline Bowers, who also completed the nursing associate apprenticeship:
The nursing associate apprenticeship has been a great investment for both me and my employer. It’s equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality care while allowing me to grow professionally and personally. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is supporting our family members holistically, meeting both their emotional and clinical needs. This gives me a sense of fulfilment and contributes to the overall wellbeing of those we care for.
Make sure to check out our nursing and nursing associate pages to find more information on nursing careers within social care.
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