Level 3 Social Prescribing Link Worker Programme
Apprenticeship standard: Community Health and Wellbeing Worker
Make a meaningful difference in community wellbeing and health inequality. Delivered through the Level 3 Community Health and Wellbeing Worker apprenticeship standard, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals, communities and local health systems through compassionate, person-centred care.
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How to apply
How this apprenticeship is delivered
How Buttercups Training will support you and your team
Ready to get started with the Community Health and Wellbeing Worker apprenticeship?
Apply now to register your interest and begin the application process.
Apprenticeship overview
The Level 3 Social Prescribing Link Worker Programme is a nationally-recognised apprenticeship course accredited by the Personalised Care Institute (PCI) which aligns with the NHS England 10-Year Health Plan's shift toward community-focused, preventative and empowering care.
You will develop the skills needed to work holistically with service users, creating personalised care plans and connecting people with the right support at the right time. The programme strengthens core competencies that can be applied across the NHS, while enabling you to grow within your specific role.
Supporting the NHS's neighbourhood model, you'll work with individuals and communities to tackle the root causes of poor health, reduce gaps in healthcare access and enable early intervention to promote positive, lasting change.
Who is the programme for?
This apprenticeship is ideal for those working as Social Prescribing Link Workers or in similar roles that involve supporting people, groups or communities to improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities and prevent ill health.
It is suitable for professionals employed across a wide range of settings, including primary care networks, integrated care boards, NHS trusts, local authorities and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. Apprentices should be in a role that enables them to apply their learning in practice and have access to appropriate workplace support throughout the programme.
Typical job roles for this apprenticeship include:
Social Prescribing Link Worker
Care Navigator or Service Navigator
Community Connecter
Community Health Champion
Health Trainer
How this apprenticeship is delivered
We offer blended learning, combining online activities, videos, self‑directed study and live virtual classrooms. Online learning is hosted on the Buttercups b-Hive platform.
Apprenticeship information
- Duration
- The typical duration for a full-time employee is 15 months in total, which includes 12 months of training delivery, followed by a 3-month window to complete an end-point assessment (EPA) which is delivered by an external organisation.
- Start Dates
- Monthly
- Application deadline
- 6 weeks before start date
- Study modes
- Blended learning (online activities, videos, self‑directed study and live virtual classrooms via the b‑Hive)
- Cost
- 95% government funded for non-levy payers.£7,000levy fundedFreefor Learners
Apprenticeship standard
Community Health and Wellbeing (Level 3)
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Course structure
Introduction to the Community Health and Wellbeing Worker Apprenticeship
Provides a foundation for learners beginning the Community Health and Wellbeing Worker apprenticeship standard.
The purpose of the programme
Structure of learning
Expectations throughout their journey
Roles and responsibilities
Teaching and learning methods
Effective use of the e-portfolio to evidence progress
By the end of the unit, learners will understand how to navigate the programme and identify their next steps to get started confidently.
Working with the Public
This unit focuses on safe, ethical and effective practice when working directly with the public.
Understanding of confidentiality and consent
Responsibilities for protecting individuals and communities
Effective ways of working with communities, recognising diversity, promoting inclusion and supporting community engagement
By the end of the unit, learners will understand how to balance professional responsibilities with respectful, person-centred practice when supporting individuals and communities.
Health Promotion and Personalised Care
This unit focuses on developing communication and practical skills to promote good health and wellbeing.
Effective communication approaches to support engagement
Strategies for promoting positive health behaviours
How to access, use and share appropriate information and resources
Personalised and person-centred approaches to care
The role of volunteers in supporting community health and wellbeing initiatives
This unit consolidates knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to effective health promotion practice.
The Role of the Community Health and Wellbeing Worker
Introduces learners to the responsibilities and professional expectations of the role.
The role in practice
Professional standards, personal conduct and ethical practice
Working safely within role boundaries
Managing caseloads
Recognising risk and escalating concerns
Introduction to public services
Personalised care, evidence-based practice, Making Every Contact Count (MECC), service navigation and signposting
By the end of the unit, learners will have a clear understanding of their role within the wider health and care system.
Determinants of Health
This unit develops learners’ understanding of health and wellbeing and factors that influence health outcomes.
Defining health and wellbeing
Examining health inequalities and analysing the underlying causes
Methods for measuring population health and monitoring health at local and individual levels
Barriers to health
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to understand and consider how determinants of health influence their role in improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities.
Promoting and Supporting Change
This unit develops learners’ understanding of how to support individuals making positive and sustainable changes to their health and wellbeing.
How behaviour change can be enabled and supported
Key theories and models of behaviour change
Practical tools and techniques
Delivering effective, person-centred consultations
The role of social prescribing in connecting individuals to appropriate community-based support
By the end of the unit, learners will be equipped to apply behaviour change principles confidently and appropriately.
Working with Communities
This unit focuses on working effectively with communities to identify and respond to individual and community needs.
Definitions of communities and how different structures, assets and networks influence health and wellbeing
The role of social prescribing and community-based approaches
Communicating information and engaging communities in a clear, inclusive and accessible way
By the end of the unit, learners will understand how to work collaboratively with communities to support health improvement and reduce inequalities.
Preparing for Gateway
This unit supports learners in preparing for Gateway and the End Point Assessment (EPA).
Learner responsibilities, the assessment process and how to prepare effectively
Requirements for Gateway, including readiness checks and evidence submission
Structure and purpose of the EPA, outlining what to expect and how performance will be assessed
By the end of the unit, learners will feel confident and informed about the steps required to successfully complete Gateway and demonstrate competence against the apprenticeship standard.
Service Development
This unit introduces the principles and practice of developing, delivering and evaluating health and wellbeing services.
How services are commissioned, designed and implemented to meet community needs
Service delivery models, monitoring quality and outcomes
Importance of evaluation and audit in demonstrating impact and driving improvement
By the end of the unit, learners will understand how health and wellbeing initiatives are planned, delivered and reviewed to ensure they are effective, sustainable and responsive to local needs.
Entry requirements
For learners
To join this apprenticeship, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out by the apprenticeship standard and Buttercups Training. These requirements ensure that you have the appropriate professional registration, workplace context and foundational knowledge needed to successfully complete the programme.
Learners must:
Be working as a Social Prescribing Link Worker or in a comparable role
Be aged 16 or over
Be employed for at least 21 hours per week with capacity to complete off-the-job training, including online tutorials and workshops
Complete a declaration of good character or health
English & maths
Learners will undertake a screening assessment to confirm whether their current level of maths and English meets the following minimum education requirements:
English: GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent evidence
Maths: GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent evidence
Where these standards for maths and English cannot be evidenced and demonstrated, maths and English training and learning will be included on the learner's training plan. This training could include Functional Skills in maths and English courses or Access courses as required.
Employer responsibilities
Employers must meet specific criteria to support an apprentice on this programme. These requirements ensure that the learner has access to the appropriate supervision, clinical environment and protected training time needed to fulfil apprenticeship and government standards.
Employers must:
Have a workplace in England
Provide a suitable senior colleague working alongside and available to the apprentice to oversee and support the apprentice's training
Provide off-the-job (OTJ) training during the apprentice's normal paid working hours:
This will be approximately 350 hours over the apprenticeship which is the equivalent to 6-7 hours a week
Additional time must be given if the learner needs to undertake additional maths or English training, such as Functional Skills
Provide a workplace environment that allows the learner to:
Have regular client-facing experience (in person) during the programme
Have unrestricted access to freely available online sources of health data and health promotion information
Communicate freely with external organisations, including but not limited to the NHS and other health and wellbeing services, charities, community groups and local authorities
Work alongside other health and care professionals and have the opportunity to collaborate with peers
How to apply
To apply for this programme, please follow the link below.,