As a maternity support worker, you will deliver hands-on care to women, birthing people, and their families, and will work alongside midwives and other members of the maternity care team. You will play a key part in the multi-disciplinary workforce that is needed to respond to maternity services.
This programme is available as a two-year full-time apprenticeship (employment based, with part-time university attendance). To apply for the apprenticeship route, you will need to be employed as a health care support worker in a maternity service for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Your employer will need to agree to release you from your work area to achieve off the job learning. This includes identified simulation and study days. Additionally, your employer will need to release you for rotational placements to support you in achieving your competencies. The apprenticeship tuition fees are funded through the apprenticeship levy payable via your employer.
Successful completion of the programme will equip you to work as a qualified Maternity Support Worker. Achieving the FdSc will help you to progress your career within the health and social care sector. Through a combination of theoretical and practice learning you will develop a wide range of specialist and transferable clinical, care and interpersonal skills.
Attendance | Apply | Year of entry |
---|---|---|
2 years full time (employment based, with part-time university attendance) | Enquire via the KU Apprenticeship Team | 2024 2025 |
Please note: this course has a March start date.
Main Location | Kingston Hill |
30 credits
This module will introduce you to the socio-political influences shaping the changing context of maternity care provision. You will develop an understanding of feminist theory, psychology, sociology and public health as it applies to childbearing. This module aims to prepare you for the role of the Maternity Support Worker in improving and promoting public health, including sexual health.
30 credits
This module will enable you to develop and apply a range of skills to participate in the holistic assessment and care of people within maternity services, documenting progress and reporting outcomes. You will be introduced to the required skills and underpinning knowledge so that you can participate in ongoing assessment and recognise when it is necessary to escalate findings to other members of the multidisciplinary team for reassessment.
30 credits
This module explores the foundations of human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology relevant to healthcare practice. You will cover the body's key systems and processes, the mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis and an introduction to human development across the lifespan including the childbearing continuum.
30 credits
This module introduces you to the concepts of being a maternity support worker. The contemporary role and scope of the Maternity Support Worker is identified and defined. The values and culture of maternity care will also be explored. This module will introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Navigate.
30 credits
This module focuses on deviations from normality in maternity care and links relevant theoretical knowledge to practice. You will learn how to contribute to and support a high standard of holistic care for women and birthing people, their babies and their families, inclusive of both physical, social and emotional needs within your role and scope.
You will gain an understanding of policies and guidelines that inform maternity care and learn how to establish and maintain effective communication with service users and the multi-disciplinary team in providing maternity care.
30 credits
This module is designed to build on your existing knowledge and skills to contribute to providing universal care for all women and birthing people, and their newborn infants, and additional care for those experiencing complexity and complications.
30 credits
This module builds upon Enhanced Skills for Maternity Support Worker module. The module provides the knowledge and skills which will allow the Maternity Support Worker to support the multidisciplinary team in caring for women and birthing people in the birth environment. This module will also cover the Maternity Support Worker's role in assessment and triage.
30 credits
This module focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and skills for promoting the delivery of high-quality person-focused care. The module will continue the development and consolidation of your academic practice skills and will support your professional growth. The content will include: leadership and management; supporting learning and assessment in practice; research, development and innovation; policies and frameworks that support effective care. This module will develop your Future Skills through engagement with Explore.
This programme enables you to develop a broad understanding of care needs, relevant to the role of the maternity support worker. It equips you to identify holistic needs and deliver care to a diverse range of individuals.
The integration of theory and practice is achieved through learning, teaching and assessment strategies which require you to reflect on your experiences in practice. Maternity knowledge and evidence are applied to these experiences, with an increasing depth of discussion and analysis as you progress through the course.
You will learn through lectures, seminars and online work in our Virtual Learning Environment (CANVAS). You will also participate in tutorials, workshops, conferences and project work. Your learning in the simulation suite will help you relate theory to practice.
The programme is offered through day release, and supernumerary placements. During your on-the-job learning, you will be able to carry out activities to help you achieve the maternity support worker competencies.
Each apprentice on an approved Apprenticeship Standard is required to take an End-Point Assessment (EPA) to complete the programme. The EPA is delivered by an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) that is registered with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
The EPA is either integrated as part of the apprenticeship or completed after the course element. If an apprentice is completing the EPA after the course element, they must ensure they have successfully completed their learning, achieved the gateway requirements and finished uploading their evidence prior to taking the EPA.
This programme will equip you to work as a Maternity Support Worker and enhance your career in the health and social care sector. You may be able to progress to a shortened nursing degree course.
The programme will enable you to develop a wide range of specialist and transferable clinical, care and interpersonal skills (including medicines management).
Visit NHS Careers for more information about the role of Nursing Associates working in the NHS.
If you are currently employed full time and would like to find out more about apprenticeships, please ask your employer to contact the Kingston University apprenticeship team.
If you are an employer interested in how apprenticeships can support your organisation and employees, please contact the apprenticeship team for further details.
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.