How to become an occupational therapy 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 get into this job. Courses include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Work Preparation for Health and Social Care
- Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Health and Social Care
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
Most health and social care courses include work placements so this could be a good way of getting 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 do a Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or a Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
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Work
You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job. You could then do training to move into occupational therapy work.
Volunteering
You'll find it useful to get some voluntary work experience in health or social care.
You can find volunteering opportunities through the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT.
Direct Application
You can apply directly for occupational therapy support worker roles if you've got skills and experience from working in a care or healthcare role.
Employers might want you to have a qualification in a subject related to health, and experience of working with people.
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Career tips
When applying for courses and jobs, you'll be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values apply in your work.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming an occupational therapy support worker from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and Health Careers.