ACP Training

ACP Training in Primary Care

*The 25/26 ACP commissioning round is now closed. Next year’s commissioning round is due to open in Jan 26 – click here to send in your EOI.*

The ACP Training Programme aims to support primary care employers in South Yorkshire to grow the advanced practice workforce of the future. It is aimed at practices, PCNs or Federations that have identified the need for an ACP role within their organisation and wish to either recruit to post or upskill an eligible existing member of staff.

ACP Commissioning Round 26/27 – OPENING SOON

The NHSE ACP Commissioning round 26/27 will be opening around Jan 26 for courses starting in Sep 26 or Jan 27.

Application process:

Read the NE&Y Faculty for Advancing Practice handbook
Read the Clinical Salary Support Guidance
Book a Teams call to discuss a potential application
Employer to submit funding application via the ACP Portal (not yet live)
Employer to submit a trainee ACP job description to: neyadvancedpractice@nhs.net Sample version available in ‘Helpful Resources’ section below.
Application reviewed by ACP panel
Outcome of application sent to employer within 6 weeks of receipt
Successful applicants sent link to apply for ACP course.

Discuss an Application

Primary Care employers who are interested in ACP training for a member of staff or recruiting to an ACP post are offered the opportunity to discuss a potential application with the SY Primary Care Workforce & Training Hub.

Appointments last approximately 30 minutes and are done over Teams.

Book a slot to discuss an application

ACP Training Programme Summary

MSc Advanced Clinical Practice 3-year apprenticeship, 95% of course fees paid by levy and 5% paid by employer. Possibility of 100% levy transfer from local partner organisations if available
Alternative Fees Funded route for candidates not eligible for apprenticeship or requiring less than 2 years study.
Trainees need 1 day per week protected study time plus 1 day per week clinical supervision time
NHSE Training Grant provided to employers – £10,710* per year, per trainee ACP for new starters (*26/27 amount TBC.)

Who can train to be an ACP in primary care?

Advanced Practice is multi-professional and open to range of experienced, registered healthcare professionals from a variety of roles.

Examples include:

Nurses
Paramedics
Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists
Dietitians
Podiatrists
Clinical Pharmacists* (must not be currently undertaking an NHSE-funded programme, e.g. CPPE)

What ACP training routes are available?

ACP training will differ according to the level of previous experience and/or qualifications that the individual brings to the role of a trainee ACP. As a result of this, three different routes are available:

(1) MSc ACP Apprenticeship (Preferred Route)

Course length: 3 years

Course funded by: employer levy if applicable. For non-levy paying organisations, 95% government co-investment & 5% employer contribution.

Good to know: trainees must have certificate evidence of GCSE passes in Maths & English at Grade C or above & must work at least 30 hours per week in accordance with apprenticeship rules. Training grant paid to the employing organisation for the duration of study.

(2) MSc ACP Traditional (Fees Funded Route)

Course length: 3 years

Course funded by: 100% NHSE

Good to know: available by exception for trainees who are not eligible for apprenticeship route. Training grant paid to the employing organisation for the duration of study.

(3) MSc ACP Top-Up (Modular Route)

Course length: varies from 1-2 years

Course funded by: 100% NHSE

Good to know: available for trainees who have already completed significant Level 7 study & require only ‘top up’ modules to complete an ACP qualification. Training grant paid to the employing organisation for the duration of study.

How much is the clinical salary support/training grant?

The ACP Training Grant for 2025-26 was £10,710 per year, per trainee up to a maximum of 3 years. This is £892.50 per month and is paid quarterly, in arrears.

The ACP Training Grant for 2026-27 has not yet been confirmed.

What does my organisation need to provide?

The employer is required to provide:

A defined ACP role at the end of the training period
A good quality, supportive learning environment involving the whole practice team
Named clinical supervisor/s with the skills & capacity to support the trainee ACP (training & support available if required)
1 day per week for the trainee ACP to attend university/protected study time

1 day per week (minimum) for the trainee ACP to work alongside their clinical supervisor

When does the next ACP Commissioning Round open?

The ACP Commissioning round for 2026-2027 will open at the start of January 2026. To submit an EOI (employers only) please click here.

What ACP courses are available in South Yorkshire?

MSc Advanced Clinical Practice – Sheffield Hallam University (Sep 26/Jan 27 starts)

MMedSci Advanced Clinical Practice (General Practice) – The University of Sheffield (Sep 26 start only)

Both of these courses are available as an apprenticeship course (course fees paid by NHSE.)

How do I report a change of circumstance in ACP training?

The NE & Yorkshire Faculty of Advancing Practice is required to keep up to date records of trainee ACPs for the purposes of training grant administration. The NHSE training grant can only be paid to employers with trainees who are currently on programme and making progress with no issues.

Trainee ACPs are strongly advised to discuss any changes in circumstance that will affect their training (e.g. pause in study due to illness, maternity leave, change of employer etc) with the NE&Y Faculty of Advanced Practice before any action is taken. Please note that changes of employer will require a re-application for funding from the new employer, as funding is not attached to the individual trainee.

Change forms can be downloaded from the links below, please complete the appropriate form and return to england.neyadvancedpractice@nhs.net at your earliest convenience.

REPORT A BREAK IN STUDY REPORT A RETURN TO STUDY REPORT A CHANGE OF EMPLOYER

Helpful Resources

ACP Application Process Map Multi-Professional Advanced Clinical Practice Framework Workplace Supervision for Advanced Clinical Practice Clinical Salary Support guidance North East and Yorkshire Governance and Best Practice Guidance Download the SY ICB Adapted Governance Maturity Matrix Download an Example Advanced Practice Business Case Trainee ACP Job Description/Person Specification Guidance notes for annual ACP Appraisal ACP Audit Tool ACP Appraisal Tool Workplace Supervision for Advanced Practice

Contacts

NE & Yorkshire Regional Faculty for Advancing Practice – NEY Faculty for ACP