NHSE has agreed that ARRS funding can now be used to support apprentices on the nursing ‘Top up’ apprenticeship i.e. those who are a Nurse Associate and wish to ‘top up’ to become a fully registered nurse
Nursing Associate to General Practice Nurse funding
October 2022
NHS England have expanded the list of roles that are eligible for funding under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). This now includes reimbursing training time for Nursing Associates to become General Practice Nurses.
Please see flow chart below for an illustration of how ARRS funding can support an individual to go from a Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA) to a registered General Practice Nurse (GPN).
Apprenticeship training is a great way to develop new or existing members of staff. An apprentice is an employee who receives funded vocational training directly relevant to their role.
How and when this training is delivered is flexible. The tri-partite nature of an apprenticeship, with its close working relationship between the employer, training provider and apprentice, promotes development that benefits the practice, the staff team and individual. Many roles are available, including Assistant Practice Manager, Healthcare Support Worker, and many others. Further details here.
Employers must pay the apprentice’s salary but in the case of the Nursing Associate and Trainee Nursing Associate, funding for the salary can be drawn down via the local Primary Care Network through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS).
Further details can be accessed here. (These are currently the only roles that attract ARRS funding when pursued via an apprenticeship route).
As well as dedicated Health Education England staff, there are significant further resources available to support you with implementing apprenticeship training. For further details, please visit the Skills for Health Primary Care page.