A new funded pathway for education professionals looking to develop inclusion expertise, support pupil wellbeing and become a Thrive Licensed Practitioner.
Schools are navigating increasingly complex challenges. From supporting pupils' emotional wellbeing and strengthening inclusion to managing attendance and behaviour concerns, there is growing demand for skilled professionals who can turn insight into action and help create positive outcomes for children and young people.
To help meet that need, Thrive is launching the Inclusion and Wellbeing Project Lead Level 4 Apprenticeship: a new dual-qualification programme that combines Thrive Licensed Practitioner training with the nationally recognised Associate Project Manager Level 4 qualification.
Designed for education professionals who work directly with children and young people, the apprenticeship develops both the specialist knowledge and practical leadership skills needed to strengthen inclusion and wellbeing across a setting.
Why launch an Inclusion and Wellbeing Apprenticeship?
Schools are increasingly recognising that improving outcomes for children and young people requires more than individual interventions.
Creating an inclusive environment where every child feels safe, supported and able to learn requires skilled people who can:
- Understand social and emotional development
- Support children with a wide range of needs
- Build strong relationships across the school community
- Lead inclusion and wellbeing initiatives
- Help embed sustainable improvements across their setting
The Inclusion and Wellbeing Project Lead Level 4 Apprenticeship has been developed to support exactly this type of professional development.
What makes this apprenticeship different?
At the heart of the programme is the opportunity to become a Thrive Licensed Practitioner, developing expertise in relational practice and gaining a deeper understanding of children's social and emotional development.
Alongside this, apprentices build the skills to successfully plan, coordinate and implement inclusion and wellbeing initiatives within their organisation.
This combination of practitioner training and implementation skills helps bridge a challenge many schools face: knowing what children need and having the capacity to embed approaches consistently across a setting.
By the end of the programme, apprentices will have developed the confidence to support children directly while contributing to wider improvements in inclusion, wellbeing and school culture.
Who the Inclusion and Wellbeing Apprenticeship for?
The apprenticeship is suitable for education professionals who are passionate about supporting children and young people and want to develop their expertise further.
This may include:
- Teachers
- Teaching assistants and HLTAs
- SENDCos
- Pastoral and inclusion staff
- Behaviour, attendance or wellbeing leads
It is particularly suited to those looking for a structured route into becoming a Thrive Licensed Practitioner while developing skills that can benefit their wider setting.
Learn while you work
Like all Thrive apprenticeships, the programme combines structured learning with workplace application.
Apprentices can immediately apply what they learn within their role, helping to strengthen practice while continuing to support children and young people.
For schools and trusts, the programme offers a practical way to develop internal expertise in inclusion, wellbeing and relational practice. Funded through the Growth and Skills Levy, it enables organisations to invest in professional development, strengthen workforce capability and build long-term capacity to support children and young people.
Building capacity for inclusion and wellbeing
Creating a culture where all pupils feel a sense of belonging is becoming an increasingly important priority for schools. Alongside academic outcomes, leaders are expected to demonstrate how they are supporting pupils' personal development, wellbeing and participation in school life.
The Inclusion and Wellbeing Project Lead apprenticeship helps settings develop the internal expertise needed to meet these priorities, equipping professionals with both the specialist knowledge and practical skills to implement and sustain effective inclusion and wellbeing strategies.
A new professional development pathway
For professionals looking to expand their impact, the Inclusion and Wellbeing Project Lead Level 4 Apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to gain recognised qualifications while making a difference in their day-to-day role.
Combining Thrive Licensed Practitioner status, inclusion and wellbeing training, and Level 4 project leadership skills, the programme is designed to support the next generation of inclusion and wellbeing leaders.
Find out more
If you're looking for inclusion and wellbeing training, SEND and inclusion professional development, or a route to becoming a Thrive Licensed Practitioner, the Inclusion and Wellbeing Project Lead Level 4 Apprenticeship could be the next step.
Explore the programme and discover how you can help build a more inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
