Thrive Wellbeing Leadership Level 5
Lead a whole-setting approach to wellbeing and strengthen the impact of Thrive across your school or organisation.
This 14-month apprenticeship helps you develop leadership, management and strategic planning skills, while gaining a Level 5 Operations Manager qualification and Thrive Licensed Practitioner status.
The Autumn 2026 cohort will be the final cohort for this apprenticeship, following government defunding of the Operations Manager standard.
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Ops Manager Level 5 & Thrive Licensed Practitioner
14 months
Live virtual sessions & face-to-face tutoring
£9000
Delivered by Best Practice Network & Thrive Trainers
thrive wellbeing leadership level 5
Overview
Embedding Thrive across a class, department, setting or organisation takes confident leadership, clear planning and a strong understanding of children and young people’s social and emotional development.
This 14-month apprenticeship supports educators to build the leadership and management skills needed to lead Thrive strategically and sustainably.
You’ll develop skills in operational planning, stakeholder engagement, project management and decision-making, while deepening your understanding of neuroscience, child development and attachment theory.
By the end of the programme, you’ll be equipped to lead a meaningful wellbeing initiative that supports pupils, staff and the wider setting.
Delivered with Best Practice Network, an Ofsted-rated ‘Good’ provider.
thrive wellbeing leadership level 5
Benefits
This apprenticeship helps you grow as a leader while strengthening your setting’s approach to wellbeing, behaviour and inclusion.
- Develop leadership and management skills at Level 5.
- Build confidence leading wellbeing across your setting.
- Gain a nationally recognised Level 5 Operations Manager qualification.
- Become a Thrive Licensed Practitioner.
- Develop skills in planning, collaboration, project delivery and decision-making.
- Take the next step in your leadership career.
- Gain training that may support future professional recognition through CMI or the Institute of Leadership.
- Secure your place on the final cohort before this apprenticeship route closes.
- Stronger support for children with social and emotional needs.
- A more consistent approach to behaviour.
- Greater in-house expertise in wellbeing and inclusion.
- More confident, better supported staff.
- A calmer learning environment.
thrive wellbeing specialist Teaching assistant level 5
Why Train With Best Practice Network & Thrive?
This apprenticeship combines Thrive's expertise in social and emotional development with Best Practice Network's training and delivery.
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Programme details
What you'll learn
You’ll explore how to:
- Lead and manage people, projects and change effectively.
- Plan and deliver wellbeing initiatives that support whole-setting priorities.
- Use operational planning to support improvement.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and wider stakeholders.
- Make informed decisions that support pupils, staff and organisational goals.
- Understand children and young people’s social and emotional development.
- Apply learning from neuroscience, child development and attachment theory.
- Use Thrive tools and approaches to support children and young people.
- Embed Thrive within a class, department, setting or organisation.
You’ll regularly reflect on your own setting and apply your learning to real leadership challenges.
What you'll gain
By the end of the apprenticeship, you will:
- Achieve a Level 5 Operations Manager qualification.
- Become a Thrive Licensed Practitioner.
- Build practical leadership and management experience.
- Develop the confidence to lead wellbeing strategically.
- Gain skills in planning, collaboration, project delivery and decision-making.
- Have a clear next step in your leadership career
The programme may also support future professional recognition through the Chartered Management Institute or the Institute of Leadership. See FAQs for more information.
As this apprenticeship route is closing, the Autumn 2026 cohort is the final opportunity to gain this dual qualification through the Thrive Wellbeing Leadership Apprenticeship.
How the apprenticeship works
This is a work-based programme delivered over 14 months, designed to fit around your role.
You’ll apply your learning in your setting throughout the programme, with support from a dedicated apprenticeship tutor and Thrive Licensed Trainers.
You’ll take part in:
- Live online training sessions Independent online learning.
- One-to-one support from an apprenticeship tutor.
- Regular progress reviews with your employer.
- On-the-job application of your learning.
- End-point assessment.
You’ll also complete 20% off-the-job training, built into your working hours, giving you protected time to focus on your development.
The programme combines Thrive’s expertise in social and emotional wellbeing with Best Practice Network’s apprenticeship delivery and wraparound support.
thrive wellbeing leadership level 5
Who this apprenticeship is for
This apprenticeship is for educators who want to develop their leadership skills while taking responsibility for embedding Thrive and improving wellbeing across their setting.
- Middle and senior leaders
- Pastoral leads and inclusion leads
- SENCOs
- Behaviour or attendance leads
- Phase, department or year group leads
- Aspiring leaders looking to progress their career
- Staff responsible for leading wellbeing, behaviour or inclusion initiatives
See our FAQs for full eligibility requirements.
Thrive has enabled us to identify the barriers to learning that pupils have and to remove them. It has improved the culture for staff because teachers want to teach, they don’t want to spend all their time managing disruption. If students are calm and ready to learn, staff feel happier and more fulfilled too.”
Jayne Curd
Senior Leader for Behaviour, Meridian High School
Check eligibility & apply today
This programme is designed for educators looking to advance their leadership and management skills, while building the expertise to strategically lead the Thrive Approach within a class, department, setting or organisation. During the application process, you’ll need to provide evidence of your eligibility, so please ensure you have this ready. Unfortunately, it seems you aren't eligible. Have achieved GCSE grade C (4) or above in English and maths (you will be requested to supply certificates when you apply) OR Be able to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 in these areas whilst on programme (mandatory for ages 16-18). If you’re over 18, you will agree with your setting as to whether you need to complete Functional Skills as part of your apprenticeship. If you achieved your qualifications internationally (outside of the UK) you will need to have a UK ENIC statement of comparability confirming equivalency to grade 4/C in maths & English.Who can apply?
Thank you for confirming that you meet the requirements for the Wellbeing Leadership Apprenticeship Level 5.
Click below to start your application. We look forward to supporting you on this exciting journey!
For more information about the eligibility criteria for this course, please read the detailed FAQs. Or to discuss best-fit alternatives, book a Discovery Call with your regional expert.Key Benefits:
Question 1:
Are you aware that this is a dual-award qualification which comprises the Level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeship and Thrive Licensed Practitioner training as an additional component?
Question 2:
Do you currently hold a permanent education based role in England and have the right to work and study in the UK?
Question 3:
Have you lived in the UK for at least the last 3 consecutive years?
To join this programme you need to have EITHER:
Question 4:
Do you meet the GCSE requirements or are you willing to complete Functional Skills Level 2 in maths and English?
Question 5:
Are you aware that this is a 14-month apprenticeship (or longer if part-time) requiring 20% off-the-job training and agreement from your employer?
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Fees & next steps
Programme cost: £9,000 £0
This apprenticeship is usually funded through the Skills & Growth Levy, so there is typically no cost to your setting. If your setting does not pay into the levy, a small co-investment may apply.
Apply by 13th July to join the September cohort.
To be eligible, candidates need to:
Have a minimum of one year’s experience in a relevant role.
Be employed in a role working closely with children and young people.
Have support from an employer and levy account holder.
Have held UK residency for at least three years.
Be based in England.
Have achieved GCSE grade C (4) or above in English and maths or be able to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 in these areas whilst on programme (mandatory for ages 16-18). If you’re over 18, you will agree with your setting as to whether you need to complete Functional Skills as part of your apprenticeship.
Be in a position to lead the strategic implementation of the Thrive Approach within their class, department, setting, or organisation.
Suitable job roles could be; teachers, SENDCos, DSLs, members of SLT, pastoral leads, support staff, HLTAs, behaviour leads, attendance mentors, mental health leads and other roles where individuals work directly with children and young people and are empowered to lead the implementation of Thrive, such as in care homes or secure facilities. The Thrive Wellbeing Leadership apprenticeship is also well-suited to professionals working with children and young people in social care, youth organisations, charities, across local authorities and multi-academy trusts.
Yes. The Autumn 2026 cohort will be the final cohort for the Thrive Wellbeing Leadership Apprenticeship.
This is because the government is defunding the Level 5 Operations Manager standard, which means this apprenticeship route will no longer be available after this cohort.
Employers will also offer a mentor and facilitate the apprentice’s monthly virtual sessions and overall development.
Yes, this programme is more comprehensive and requires a higher level of commitment. Over 14 months, participants complete the Thrive Licensed Practitioner training with the Operations Manager Level 5 apprenticeship standard. This includes developing the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours for the apprenticeship, alongside dedicating 20% of their working time to off-the-job training.
The Thrive Licensed Practitioner course that's available to do via our self-funded package route is a shorter option, completed in just three months, and focuses solely on Thrive training. This may be a better fit for individuals whose primary goal is to become a Thrive Licensed Practitioner.
However, the apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to build advanced leadership skills, gain a deeper understanding of the Thrive Approach, and achieve a nationally recognised Level 5 qualification. It’s an ideal choice for those ready to make a significant investment in professional development and lead on embedding social and emotional wellbeing at a strategic level.
Yes. Alongside the nationally recognised Level 5 leadership qualification and Thrive Licensed Practitioner status, the Thrive programme aligns with membership of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Institute of Leadership (IoL). If you have 3+ years of management experience, you may also be eligible to apply for Chartered Manager status with the CMI. These memberships and any professional status are not awarded automatically as part of the apprenticeship. They require separate applications to the relevant professional bodies.
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours
This apprenticeship blends Thrive’s proven approach to emotional development with practical tools to elevate your role. You’ll develop a rich set of knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) designed to empower you to better support young people and foster inclusive, nurturing learning environments—all while staying in your current role.
Ready to apply?
Take the next step and apply for the apprenticeship today.
Start your application Download programme guide
Still have questions? Book a Discovery Call with our team and we’ll help you decide whether this apprenticeship is the right fit for your setting.