Health and Care Academy
Training the next generation of healthcare professionals
Welcome to the MET
We are proud to be working in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to educate and support the next generation of healthcare workers through a new Health and Care Academy.
The aim of the academy is to further enhance the learning experience for students studying a number of healthcare courses including Access to Nursing and Medicine, Level 3 health & Social Care and professional diplomas. The academy will provide students with work placement opportunities, professional mentors and access to guest lectures and workshops delivered by experienced NHS staff.
Funding for the partnership has been secured from Health Education England, to help extend the number of routes into working for the NHS through courses and work placements, which will complement what is already on offer through other traditional routes. This is only available to Access students and they have to be 19+ due to health and safety.
We offer a wide range of courses that can help individuals begin their career in the healthcare sector or progress in their chosen field, many with part-time or evening options.
-
What is the Health and Care Academy?
The launch of the Health and Care Academy is the first of its kind in the South East region and enables students to work with Sussex Partnership, who provide specialist mental health and learning disability services across south east England, to gain valuable work placements and support from their dedicated healthcare mentors.
The scheme is currently being successfully piloted by students on the Access to Higher Education nursing programme who have been able to experience working in a mental health setting through a series of placements at Mill View Hospital in Hove and Meadowfield Hospital in Worthing. After a successful pilot, we are now introducing a rotation across wards and community work for a broader experience.
The Health and Care Academy will grow over the next few years, increasing the number of opportunities within the NHS for students across the wider health and social care programmes offered by the College.*
*Please note: we can only offer this to students aged 19+ due to the nature of the care. -
How do I get involved?
In order to benefit from the invaluable experience the Health & Care Academy will provide you must be studying a relevant course. The following courses are currently working with the Health and Care Academy:
All Access courses including:
Plus:
-
What are the benefits of studying a course with the Health and Care Academy?
Studying a course with the Health and Care Academy will provide many benefits for your future career in the health and social care sector. Benefits include:
- Work placements
Access to Nursing students have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in a mental health setting with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The enables you to gain valuable healthcare experience to help build your confidence and prepare you for your future career. You'll receive support from a dedicated NHS mentor during your placement, as you work on rotation within various wards and within the community.
- Talks from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Students on our Access to Nursing course and Level 3 Health and Social Care Diploma will receive talks from people who work for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. They regularly visit our College to deliver presentations about career opportunities in the NHS, and more specifically, roles within a mental health setting.
- Recruitment opportunities
Advice and support from staff at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust about careers in the NHS. After placement you will have an opportunity to take part in interviews for Bank Staff within the two hospitals.
Find a healthcare course
Progression routes
Studying a healthcare course at the MET leads to a variety of career opportunities:
- health care worker
- nursing (adult, child, mental health or learning disability pathways)
- midwifery
- paramedic practice
- physiotherapy
- occupational therapy
- operating department practice
- social work
- youth work
- nutritionist

Access to Nursing
Students on Access to Nursing courses have access to support from the Health and Care Academy. This includes:
- Healthcare placement opportunities in mental health settings with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Talks by our NHS colleagues in Mental Health Awareness and from those working in Mental Health
- Recruitment opportunities and additional recruitment support from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Level 3 Health and Social Care Diploma
Students on the Level 3 Health and Social Care Diploma receive support from the Health and Care Academy. This includes access to:
- Talks by our NHS colleagues in Mental Health Awareness and from those working in Mental Health
- Recruitment opportunities and additional recruitment support from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

HNC in Healthcare Practice | Level 4
This Level 4 qualification will equip you with the healthcare practice skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to achieve high performance in the global health and social care environment

Cody's experience (Access to Nursing)
Cody studied Access to Nursing at Brighton MET. Find out more about her experience of the course and her healthcare placement with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Read about the academy
Contact us
- Email: admissions@gbmc.ac.uk
- Call: 01273 667788 | 01903 273060