In September 2012, Professional Education launched the “Band 2 Development Programme”. This is a mandatory development pathway for all new HCAs / Band 2 staff coming into our Trust. It was designed in order to empower, develop and improve knowledge and understanding of the role and expectations of a Band 2 non registered staff member, in order to improve the patient experience and patient care.

It starts with a two day clinical skills induction, following on from Corporate and Clinical Induction. The new staff member then starts the Development Programme and completes 10 study sessions – with attendance at a study session each month being the expectation.

The vision of the Band 2 Development Programme is that each study session will provide the Band 2 worker with the rudimentary knowledge of a particular subject, which will be delivered by subject matter clinical experts from our Trust. It is then their responsibility to engage in self directed learning in order to achieve the learning outcomes. This could be anything from literature searches / research to undertaking modules within the Learning4Health platform. The type of learning they engage in will very much depend on the specific learning outcomes, and also their personal level of interest within a particular topic. However, if they are enrolled on the Band 2 Development programme as a Health Care Apprentice or as a Band 2 HCA who wishes to achieve accreditation for this work, then all requirements within each section of this Portfolio are mandatory and the expectation is that this is completed to a high standard in order for them to gain the academic qualification at the end.

The Band 2 Development Programme is designed to enable and empower HCAs to:

1)      Demonstrate both competence and confidence in their role through professional practice and behaviour

2)      Demonstrate how this learning has impacted on their practice, and how they are meeting the knowledge and skills required of them in their job role

3)      Deliver the highest possible patient care in order to enhance the overall patient experience

They will also be expected to work closely with a “Mentor”, who will support them throughout this programme. It is expected that they have regular meetings with their mentor, ideally every month so that they can monitor progress and offer support as and when required / needed.

Over the duration of the Band 2 Development Programme, they will be required to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP), with their mentor. A Personal Development Plan should be carried out every three months from the start of this programme.

New staff are automatically enrolled onto this programme via H.R., and dates are sent out to the individual and also their Manager.

There are a limited number of places available for existing staff who may wish to develop their knowledge and skills further. Should managers wish to enrol an existing staff colleague onto this programme, contact details are below.

Should managers with to enrol existing staff onto this programme, please contact

Di Thomas in the Professional Education Deparrment   or ring Ext 0300 422 6307

Izzy Smith in the Professoinal Education Department  or ring EXT 0300 422 6732