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Thrive Wellbeing Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 5

Take the next step in your role and deepen the impact you have on children’s wellbeing every day.

This 18-month apprenticeship helps you build specialist knowledge in social and emotional development, while gaining a Level 5 qualification and Thrive Licensed Practitioner status.

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Qualifications icon
Qualifications

Specialist TA Level 5 & Thrive Licensed Practitioner 

Duration icon
Typical Duration

18 months

Training method icon
Training Method

Live virtual sessions & face-to-face tutoring

Funding icon
Funding Value

£12000

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Delivery

Delivered by Best Practice Network & Thrive Trainers

 

thrive wellbeing specialist Teaching assistant level 5

Overview

Children don’t always show what they need in obvious ways, and you’re often the one supporting them in those moments.

As needs become more complex, it can be difficult to know how best to respond. This 18-month apprenticeship builds your confidence and skills in supporting children’s social and emotional wellbeing, while working towards a Level 5 qualification (equivalent to a foundation degree) and Thrive Licensed Practitioner status.

Delivered with Best Practice Network, an Ofsted-rated ‘Good’ provider.

Apply now

 

 

thrive wellbeing specialist Teaching assistant level 5

Benefits

This apprenticeship supports you to grow in your role while strengthening support for children across your setting.

  • Develop specialist skills in supporting children’s social and emotional wellbeing.
  • Feel more confident responding to behaviour in a calm, relational way.
  • Gain a nationally recognised Level 5 qualification.
  • Become a Thrive Licensed Practitioner.
  • Take the next step in your career.
  • 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.

BPN and Thrive Co-branded delivery

 

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Programme details

What you'll learn

What you'll learn

Throughout the training, you will reflect on your own setting and consider how the Thrive Approach could strengthen relationships, improve consistency and support emotional wellbeing across your school community.

You’ll explore how to:

  • Understand children’s social and emotional development and how it links to behaviour.
  • Recognise and respond to unmet developmental needs.
  • Plan and adapt activities to support pupils’ needs.
  • Build positive relationships with children and young people.
  • Work with teachers, families and other professionals.
  • Use Thrive tools to assess and monitor progress.
  • Advocate for pupils so they can thrive personally and academically.
What you'll gain

What you'll gain

By the end of the apprenticeship, you will:

  • Achieve a Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant qualification.
  • Become a Thrive Licensed Practitioner.
  • Gain practical experience you can use straight away.
  • Feel more confident supporting a wide range of needs.
  • Have a clear next step in your career.
How the course works

How the apprenticeship works

This is a work-based programme delivered over 18 months, designed to fit around your role.

You’ll apply your learning in your setting throughout the programme, with support from a dedicated tutor and structured training sessions.

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.

 

thrive wellbeing specialist Teaching assistant level 5

Who this apprenticeship is for

This apprenticeship is for teaching assistants and support staff who want to deepen their impact and specialise in supporting children’s wellbeing.

  • Teaching assistants
  • Higher level teaching assistants
  • Learning mentors
  • Pastoral or inclusion staff
  • Behaviour or attendance leads

See our FAQs for full eligibility requirements.

Poppy quote mark

“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

Who can apply?

If you're an experienced teaching assistant or in a similar role supporting pupils and ready to specialise further, this apprenticeship offers the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and become a specialist in social and emotional wellbeing.

 

Thank you for confirming that you meet the requirements for the Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 5.

During the application process, you’ll need to provide evidence of your eligibility, so please ensure you have this ready.

Click below to start your application. We look forward to supporting you on this exciting journey!

Apply

Delivered in partnership with Best Practice Network

 

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Unfortunately, it seems you aren't eligible.

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.

Book a Discovery Call

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Key Benefits:

  • Hands-on experience specialising in social and emotional wellbeing in a classroom
  • Advanced skills to better support the diverse needs of pupils
  • A nationally-recognised Level 5 qualification as a Specialist Teaching Assistant
  • Certification as a Thrive Licensed Practitioner

Question 1:

Are you aware that this is a dual-award qualification which comprises the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship and Thrive Licensed Practitioner training as an additional component?

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Question 2:

Do you currently hold a permanent education based role in England and have the right to work and study in the UK?

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Question 3:

Have you lived in the UK for at least the past three consecutive years?

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To join this programme you need to have EITHER:

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.

Question 4:

Do you meet the GCSE requirements or are you willing to complete Functional Skills Level 2 in maths and English?

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Question 5:

Are you aware that this is an 18-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: £12,000 £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.

Apply now

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 in a classroom environment.
  • 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.

Suitable job roles may include; teaching assistants, attendance mentors, behaviour leads, higher level teaching assistants, social and emotional wellbeing teaching assistants, specialist learning assistants, specialist learning support and other support roles in a classroom environment.

Employers will need to allow full-time apprentices six hours per week of off-the-job training. Part-time apprentices must allocate 20% of their working hours for this purpose. Employers will also offer a mentor and facilitate the apprentice’s monthly virtual sessions and overall development.
It’s fully funded for those working in local authority schools or those paying into the apprenticeship levy. For non-levy payers, the government offers co-funding, covering 95% of the cost, or levy transfers are available for additional support.

Yes, this programme is more comprehensive and requires a higher level of commitment. Over 18 months, participants complete the Thrive Licensed Practitioner training with the Specialist Teaching Assistant 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 broader development opportunity for those in classroom support roles, equipping participants with the tools to support the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people while achieving a nationally recognised Level 5 qualification. It’s ideal for individuals ready to deepen their expertise and make a meaningful impact in their roles.

Need more information? Head to our course FAQs page for all the details. Or book a Discovery Call with our Apprenticeships Team.

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.

 

Knowledge

K1: Statutory and non-statutory curriculum frameworks relevant to the provision.

K2: Statutory and non-statutory health, safety and well-being frameworks relevant to the provision, including safeguarding.

K3: Policies, processes, and procedures related to the collecting, storing, and sharing of information.

K4: The principles of equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion, and why these are important.

K5: The principles of sustainability within the education context.

K6: Theories of learning, their application and implications for learning.

K7: Typical patterns of child development and age-related expectations. How these differ for individual learners and the implication of these.

K8: Sources of information on research informed evidence-based practice.

K9: The difference between curriculum, assessment and pedagogy and why this is important when planning.

K10: Rationale, methods, and approaches to planning for learning.

K11: Teaching strategies to advance learning.

K12: Barriers to learning and strategies to overcome them.

K13: Principles and different methods of assessment and observation.

K14: Methods of recording and reporting on assessments.

K15: The features of enabling environments.

K16: The principles of behaviours for learning.

K17: The principles of and approaches to learner voice.

K18: The purpose, impact, and safe use of equipment and resources to advance learning.

K19: The additional professional support available for learners.

K20: The additional professional support available for their specialist role.

K21: The principles of effective teamwork.

K22: Know how and when to escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice.

K23: The principles and impact of relationships, effective working and communication with learners, parents or carers and stakeholders.

K24: The principles of effective coaching and mentoring and the difference between them.

K25: The principles and importance of reflective practice.

K26: Know and understand strategies to develop resilience in self and others.

K27: Know how research findings are used to inform practices in education.

K28: The importance of social cultural context on learning, including the factors that may lead to inequalities in access to education.

K29: The appropriate digital and emerging technologies, and their applications to support learning.

K36: National and local policies, practices, processes, and procedures related to social and emotional well-being of learners.

K37: The theoretical background to support social and emotional well-being in educational contexts.

K38: Principles and approaches to the promotion of social and emotional well-being in educational contexts.

K39: The tools available to promote social and emotional well-being to advance learning.

K40: The impact of social and emotional well-being on children and young people’s learning and development.

K41: Strategies to advance social and emotional well-being in learning and assessment contexts.

 

 

Skills

1: Act in line with policies, processes, and procedures related to statutory frameworks and non-statutory guidance, including safeguarding, implementing the setting’s behaviour policy.

S2: Establish a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment for learners.

S3: Establish nurturing, effective working relationships with learners, parents or carers and stakeholders.

S4: Demonstrate understanding of equality and diversity and sustainable development

S5: Undertake dynamic risk assessment of the learning environment.

S6: Respond to and mitigate potential hazards that may adversely affect a learning environment.

S7: Contribute to the planning of learning and assessment activities.

S8: Apply teaching strategies to advance learning, for example scaffolding.

S9: Select and use safely, appropriate equipment and resources to advance learning.

S10: Apply an appropriate range of assessment methods, including formative, summative and individual needs-based assessments.

S11: Analyse assessment outcomes to inform reporting and future planning.

S12: Provide ongoing feedback to learners and support them to respond to feedback.

S13: Record and report information related to learners’ progress to a range of stakeholders.

S14: Collaborate with colleagues and other professionals.

S15: Advocate for and champion the needs of learners.

S16: Use a range of research to critically evaluate teaching and assessment approaches and practices.

S17: Critically evaluate a variety of teaching and assessment methods depending on the learning environments and learners’ needs..

S18: Improve own practice by undertaking continuous self-reflection including seeking and responding to feedback from varied sources.

S19: Update and maintain their own knowledge and skills as part of managing their own continuing professional development.

S20: Communicate information and analysis in a variety of forms to reflect the needs of the audience, for example by providing appropriate advice and guidance to parents or carers.

S21: Support the development of effective practices in others, for example through mentoring and coaching colleagues.

S22: Identify, action, and challenge issues and undertake difficult conversations where appropriate.

S23: Recognise signs of vulnerability in self or colleagues and the appropriate actions required to minimise risks to professional well-being.

S24: Implement strategies to support the social and emotional well-being of learners.

S25: Select and use technologies safely and effectively to promote learning.

S26: Prioritise and manage own workload, for example recognising the importance of capacity.

S30: Implement national and local policies, practices, processes, and procedures related to social and emotional well-being.

S31: Identify and signpost learners in need of social and emotional well-being intervention.

S32: Apply strategies to support the social and emotional well-being of learners.

 

Behaviours

B1: Model ethical, fair, consistent, and impartial behaviours, by valuing inclusion, equity, equality and diversity within professional contexts.

B2: Act professionally, positively, and proactively.

B3: Show respect, care, approachability and empathy for children, colleagues and stakeholders.

B4: Adaptable and resilient.

B5: Eager to develop as a practitioner, by being receptive and open to challenge and constructive criticism.

B6: Model appropriately aspirational practices.

 

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.

 

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