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 nursing.jobs@gosh.nhs.uk 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.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main 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 criteria

GCSE grade 4-9 or Functional Skills Level 2 pass in English and Mathematics or Equivalent recognised qualification

Desirable criteria

Certificate in Basic Food Hygiene

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria

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: • Nutrition and hydration • Dignity and respect • Infection control • Safeguarding vulnerable people • Health promotion • Confidentiality

Desirable criteria

Knowledge and understanding of the health service
Knowledge and experience of giving care in a multi-cultural environment

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

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 criteria

Able to organise and conduct own work

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.