About this role
Job summary
Are you passionate about providing care to children, young people and their families? Do you want to carve out a career in one of the most innovative and research driven paediatric hospitals in the world? Join us as a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) Apprentice! Working within one our specialist units, you will join a multi-professional team throughout the 18 month programme. Have opportunities to learn and build a strong foundation of care and clinical skills within a supportive team, gaining real world experience within a committed environment delivering high quality and compassionate care to children, young people and their families.
On successful completion of your apprenticeship, you will be instated into a permanent Healthcare Assistant (Band 3) role within your placement area, opening the doors to further development and apprenticeship pathways at GOSH.
You must have:
Previous experience in working with the public and within a team GCSE level 4-9 in English and Mathematics or Functional Skills Level 2 equivalent is essential - (these must be clearly stated in your application form and certificates must be provided prior to interview). Able to demonstrate you are caring, compassionate and possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Main duties of the job
The Process:
Please read the Job Description and Person Specification document carefully and all the supporting information.
We are offering a virtual information session where you can find out more about the role and apprenticeship on Monday 19th October 2026 at 12:00 - 13:00
Please email [email protected] to register your place and to be sent the online joining link!
If you are successfully shortlisted for this opportunity, you will be contacted by our apprenticeship training provider, Dynamic Training to vet your eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be invited to attend GOSH for a face to face interview day during week commencing Monday 16th November 2026.
Start Date:
The provisional start date is Monday 22nd February (subject to change depending on service and training provider enrolment requirements).
This vacancy will close earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.
You must also have lived in the UK or the EEA for the past 3 years. For detailed information or exceptions to this, please check the UK government website or refer to the Department for Education Apprenticeship Funding Rules prior to applying for this position. See page 104 onwards of the funding rules. here
About us
We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.
Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.
We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please note:
This is an entry level healthcare role and as such is not suitable for candidates who possess prior healthcare experience in an acute setting either with or without a Care Certificate.
Should your experience include proficiency in any clinical skills (e.g. venepuncture, cannulation, recording vital signs, ECGs, wound dressings, catheter care, blood glucose monitoring, moving & handling or personal cares), this will likely render you not eligible (over-experienced) for this particular entry level apprenticeship.
If you already possess a Care Certificate (via NHS employment, not online) then you are welcome to apply for any of our current Band 3 Healthcare Assistant vacancies which can be found via this link: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/working-here/working-us/current-jobs/
Person Specification
Academic/Professional qualification/Training Essential
GCSE grade 4-9 or Functional Skills Level 2 pass in English and Mathematics or Equivalent recognised qualification
Desirable
Certificate in Basic Food Hygiene
Experience/Knowledge Essential
Experience of dealing with the public Experience of working within a team Knowledge and understanding of the needs of child/young person and their families. Including: oNutrition and hydration oDignity and respect oInfection control oSafeguarding vulnerable people oHealth promotion oConfidentiality
Desirable
Knowledge and understanding of the health service Knowledge and experience of giving care in a multi-cultural environment
Skills/Abilities Essential
Able to communicate accurately and effectively with patients, families and colleagues, verbally and in writing To have good IT skills Able to carry out administrative and clerical duties appropriate to their work area Has the ability to recognise situations that require reporting and demonstrates the ability to escalate to a senior person where appropriate
Desirable
Able to organise and conduct own work
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Address Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
London
WC1N 1BH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)