How to become Maternity support worker
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
College
You could do a college course to become a maternity support worker.
You could do a:
- Level 2 Certificate in Child Development and Care
- Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
Most health and social care courses include a work placement so this could be a good way for you to get experience.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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Apprenticeship
You could start by doing a Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
After this, you could then do the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. On this apprenticeship, you can choose to specialise in maternity support.
Entry requirements
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Work
You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job. You could move into maternity work by training or applying for a promotion where you work.
Volunteering
You'll find it useful to get volunteering experience either in healthcare or with children and families.
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant skills and experience of working in childcare or healthcare.
Employers may want you to have a qualification in a childcare or healthcare in addition to some experience.
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Career tips
When you apply for jobs, employers will expect you to understand how the NHS values apply in your work.
Further information
You can find out more about how to become a maternity support worker on Health Careers.