We’re working with Medr to review the apprenticeship frameworks for Health and Social Care and Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development (Wales).
The consultation closes at midday, Friday 10 October 2025.
Why are we reviewing the frameworks?
The frameworks were developed in 2019 and 2020, so it’s now time for them to be reviewed.
Medr has asked us to lead the review as we’re the regulatory body for social care in Wales and an important partner.
Qualifications Wales has already reviewed the vocational qualifications included in the apprenticeship frameworks and they’ve been extended until 2029. This means they won’t be included in this consultation.
The latest data tells us that healthcare and public services apprenticeships are the most popular sector for people starting an apprenticeship. In 2024 to 2025, they accounted for 48 per cent of new apprenticeship starters. This data includes health and social care and childcare apprenticeships.
Throughout June and July 2025, we spoke to people delivering apprenticeships to workers and managers, and other regulatory bodies. We asked for their views about the information within the apprenticeship framework, including:
- the purpose of the framework
- entry requirements
- job roles
- qualification pathways
- essential skills
- progression routes
- equality and diversity.
Overall, they felt the current frameworks could be combined into one framework for Health and Social Care and one framework for Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development.
What’s changing?
As part of our work with sector colleagues, they suggested:
- making the general information more up to date
- making the language more active to promote anti-discrimination, and strengthening how reasonable adjustments may need to be applied to apprenticeships
- lowering the Essential Skills level for Application of Number for some of the level 3 apprenticeships
- making clear links with the qualification framework for health and social care and early years and childcare
We’d like to know what you think about the proposed changes.
What’s next?
- After the consultation, we’ll work with Medr to change the framework documents.
- Medr will publish the updated frameworks on its website.
- The current frameworks will remain in place until the new frameworks are published.
Who’s this consultation for?
We want to hear from anyone interested in apprenticeships for the health and social care and early years and childcare workforce.
We’re particularly interested in hearing from:
- people who work in health and social care and early years and childcare in Wales
- employers of people who work in health and social care and early years and childcare in Wales
- people who access and use health and social care and early years and childcare in Wales
- families and carers
- volunteers
- learning providers who offer health and social care and children’s care, play, learning and development apprenticeships in Wales
How to respond
You can read the updated frameworks here:
Send us your feedback
You can send us your feedback through our online form.
Or, you can download the consultation questions as a Word document and email it to us at AFRconsultation@socialcare.wales
You can also send us your views in a different format if it’s easier for you. For example, you can write to us, or send a video or audio recording.
If you need a copy of this consultation in a different format or have any questions, please contact us at AFRconsultation@socialcare.wales
The closing date is Friday, 10 October 2025.
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