Early childhood worker Review

I work within the health visiting team as a band 3 and I complete health reviews on children and do pieces of work with families for things like healthy weight, sleep issue, behaviour issues, eating issues. I also help out at clinics where families can weight their babies/ get advice.

I have learned how to measure childrens weight height and head circumference. I have gained great communication skills with both adults and children. I have developed my clinical assessment skills. I have developed my skills on reflection of experiences. I have gained skills in note taking. I have also gained skills in assessment on bonding / mental health.

I really enjoy my job role. I also really enjoy being on placement and learning new skills. I do not enjoy the fact that my learning has all been online so far however this is soon to change. I think it’s important as an apprentice nurse that we get face to face learning.

My programme is set out for the 4 years in advance and all teaching lectures are given out around a year in advance so this is good to know what I am doing when. Sometimes the communication between university and my workplace is poor in order to organise my placements.

My workplace are extremely supportive and understanding. They allow me time to learn and if I need extra time for university, they are very flexible. They also try and find me more learning opportunities. I have regular supervisions and I am able to meet up with other apprentices during work time to discuss our experiences.

My tutor is amazing and responds to me very quickly if I have any issues. I have regular supervisions with my training provider and I believe if I had any major problems they would be dealt with efficiently. I would like to be able to receive more face to face support.

I believe it helps me to an extent. As I am doing child nursing for my degree, I work in a non clinical area and so I am unable to practice my clinical skills at work like other students on my course. However, it has been good at broadening my knowledge around child development.

No, I do not get involved in any of the extra curricular activities, there is a singing group but I have not managed to join this. The trust is very good at organising online wellbeing sessions and has recently started an initiative to get all employees to take an half an hour walk a day.

Yes

I would because I feel so supported and I am able to gain a qualification while being paid and gaining no debt. The company are amazing with students and really make them feel welcome. I also believe they listen to staff and try and make changes to help the wellbeing of the staff.

I would advise them to make sure to take every learning opportunity they are given as there are so many, I would also advise them to look into the apprenticeship routes being offered as more and more employees on lower bands are being offered apprenticeships to allow them to climb the ladder.