Meet Cennet, a Dietetic Assistant Practitioner and Dietetic Apprentice at Alder Hey.
Cennet has worked at Alder Hey for over three years as a Dietetic Assistant Practitioner and with the encouragement and support of her colleagues as well as the apprenticeship team, was able to join the course at Sheffield Hallam University in March 2024.
Her first placement lasted two weeks and provided Cennet with the opportunity to observe and learn from experienced dietitians, enabling her to pursue her career goals while continuing to earn and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Her role involves helping with assessments and providing support for patients and families regarding their diet or feed plan. She also attends multidisciplinary team meetings, where the team discusses treatment plans and ensure that patients’ nutritional needs are being met. As Cennet is currently in her first year of the apprenticeship, she is observing these meetings while continuing to learn and develop her skills.
Cennet says the apprenticeship provided a fantastic opportunity, enabling her to pursue her career goals while continuing to earn and gain valuable hands-on experience.
“From a young age, I was interested by how the food we eat can influence both physical and mental health. This curiosity led me to dietetics, where I could combine my passion for science with my desire to make a direct, positive difference to people’s lives.”
Cennet, Dietetic Assistant Practitioner and Dietetic Apprentice at Alder Hey
Cennet said: “I’m grateful to have the chance to work in such a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team. The learning environment is both supportive and inspiring, and it is rewarding to see how everyone’s expertise comes together for the benefit of the patients.
“It has also been a great opportunity to improve my organisational skills and find ways to integrate learning into my daily practice.
“The Dietetics service at Alder Hey has been fantastic in supporting me throughout my placement. The team has created a welcoming and encouraging environment where I can learn and grow. I’ve been able to observe clinical practice closely and have received continuous guidance and feedback from the dietitians. The commitment to supporting their staff is evident. I’ve felt supported every step of the way, and this has really boosted my confidence as I continue my apprenticeship journey.”
Being awarded the international Matrix Standard in 2022 and retaining it in 2023 and 2024, Alder Hey remains one of the first NHS Trusts to be awarded Matrix accreditation for the IAG service, as their sole purpose.
To date, we have almost 300 staff who have enrolled onto an apprenticeship programme, across 50 different apprenticeship subjects, ranging from level 2 up to level 7 (Masters).
52% of apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship have gone on to gain a promotion, which proves that by doing an apprenticeship it has supported their development and career progression.
In 2024, a further 37 staff started an apprenticeship; 14 of these were new staff joining the Trust as an apprentice, which is an increase of 42% from the previous year; proving that the IAG Service is going from strength to strength as more opportunities are being offered, which supports local people and social mobility
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