Level 2 Animal Care Apprentice (Veterinary Care Support role)
GODDARD VETERINARY GROUP
Essex, Kingston Upon Thames, London, Northolt, Pinner
Closes on Thursday 14 January 2027
Posted on 4 November 2026
Contents
Summary
Work in a veterinary practice while completing the Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant apprenticeship with GVNC. Gain hands-on experience caring for animals, supporting patients, maintaining clinical areas and developing professional skills.You will earn a salary, gain real veterinary experience and achieve a recognised qualification
- Wage
-
£20,800 a year
- Training course
- Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday- Friday 40 hour week on a shift pattern between 8.00am and 7.30pm. Some weekend work though this is taken into account over the 40 hour week.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 2 March 2027
- Duration
-
1 year 1 month
- Positions available
-
12
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
The apprentice will work as part of the veterinary team, supporting the day-to-day care and welfare of animals.
Duties may include:
- Feeding, grooming and caring for animals
- Safely handling and restraining patients
- Preparing and cleaning clinical and animal areas
- Following infection-control and biosecurity procedures
- Supporting pre- and post-operative care
- Assisting with inpatient care and monitoring
- Recognising and reporting changes in health, welfare or behaviour
- Supporting routine veterinary procedures
- Communicating professionally with clients and colleagues
- Maintaining accurate records
- Working safely and professionally within the veterinary environment
- The apprentice will gain practical experience while developing the skills and behaviours needed for a Veterinary Care Support role
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- Claygate House Manor Road, (The Old Police Station), Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 8BX
- 8 Park Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 6BN
- 84 New Wanstead, London, E11 2SY
- 17 Bruce Grove, London, N17 6RG
- 117 Grove Road, London, E17 9BU
- 612 Kings Road, London, SW6 2DX
- 5-7 Well Street, London, E9 7QX
- 15 Mandeville Road, Northolt, UB5 5HD
- 83 Field End Road, Pinner, HA5 1QG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
GODDARD VETERINARY GROUP LIMITED
Training course
Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- comply with UK and EU Animal related legislation
- work effectively in a safe and healthy working environment following current / relevant health and safety legislation and work place policies
- identify and report potential hazards and breaches of security within animal accommodation/enclosures
- clean and maintain animal accommodation/enclosures/environment and equipment and provide appropriate resources including species specific enrichment (e.g. hiding, perches and areas to dig)
- maintain hygiene, bio security procedures and infection controls when working with animals including quarantine and isolation
- dispose of waste in a safe and appropriate manner in line with legislative and workplace requirements
- store, use and administer medication in line with legislative and veterinary instructions as appropriate
- monitor, record and report the health and welfare of animals in line with animal welfare legislation and workplace policies
- observe and be aware of the behaviour of animals and take appropriate actions
- approach/handle/restrain/move/recapture animals as part of routine husbandry appropriate for the species and individual
- exercise/socialise animals and provide appropriate enrichment relevant to their specific needs
- provide appropriate care, for example coat, skin, scales, plumage and feet to ensure good health and appearance
- provide food and water to animals and monitor the intake
- store and care for foodstuffs
- identify and describe animals using appropriate methods to the species involved (e.g. scanning for microchips)
- maintain, update and reference correct records in accordance with current legislation
- deliver customer experience (internal and external), where applicable, in line with workplace policies and procedures
- respond to animal first aid, urgent, ongoing and preventive care requirements as appropriate
- Beyond routine animal husbandry as listed in the core i.e. for animals with specific needs, unknown or unpredictable behaviour: i.e. animals recovering from routine operations such as neutering, or who may be obese, pregnant or fearful. Behaviour such as barking or pulling on the lead or who react unpredictably when meeting other animals.
- follow a prepared interaction/handling plan to prepare the animal and resources required i.e. muzzle, collar leads, harnesses, head collars, crush cage, grasper, snake hook, hoods
- undertake interaction/handling activities and use methods such as desensitisation and socialisation in accordance with the interaction/handling plan
- handle the animal throughout the interaction/handling to promote the animal’s health, normal behaviour and physical and emotional welfare
- monitor, report and record the response and welfare of the animal throughout interaction/handling activities
- apply techniques which take into account the animal’s welfare and emotional wellbeing, such as positive reinforcement to interact/handle the animal
- contribute to the assessment of an animal’s readiness for rehoming
- provide advice to customers/clients on the suitability of animals according to their circumstances and experience in line with the workplace policies and procedures
- support customers/clients during the rehoming/intake process and provide direction to further sources of information and guidance following rehoming of an animal
- contribute to the assessment of the animal during the intake process
- contribute to the matching process
- prepare means of transport appropriate for animals, ensuring serviceability and cleanliness
- prepare animals for movement and/or transportation taking into consideration their welfare potentially dealing with sick or injured animals
- use of appropriate equipment and methods to move and transport animals ensuring their safety and security
- monitor the physical and emotional health and welfare of animals during and after movement and transportation
- identify route and contingency plans
- identify if an animal required veterinary care and take appropriate action
- present a safe, friendly and welcoming reception for internal and external customers/clients/animals as appropriate
- provide information, advice, support and guidance on a range of topics such as animal care and welfare to customers/clients and seek advice when necessary
- use appropriate methods of technology for internal and external communication such as telephone, walkie talkies, email and scanning documents
- prepare, receive and store deliveries of goods including animal related products such as food stuffs and sundry items
- prepare and display stock for sale, including stock rotation
- take payment for goods, services and charitable donations
- process customer and animal registrations and bookings
- keep records for individual animals and people in line with the organisation’s procedures
- prepare animals and environment for mating
- monitor animals during parturition, recognising signs of difficulty
- carry out general care of animals through gestation
- prepare and manage pregnant animals pre and post parturition
- provide appropriate care and monitoring of neonates
- carry out procedures for caring for the young (once weaned) and introducing them to new environments
- socialise young animals appropriately
- fit and maintain appropriate equipment, ensuring the dog can operate safely
- conduct refresher/maintenance training with the support of a helper and dog trainer at an appropriate frequency to maintain the minimum standard of operational performance.
- interpret the dog’s behaviour and indications and react accordingly to the operational situation
- ensure that the dog team (handler and dog) maintains the minimum standard of operational performance as determined by national standards or the employers’ policies and procedures
- operate the dog team within the legal and ethical framework associated with their employment
- transport working dogs
- respond to collection requests
- identify wild animals that are suitable for rehabilitation and release
- plan and undertake rehabilitation for release into the wild
- capture and handle healthy and casualty wild animals
- move and transport wild animals appropriately
- release and monitor wild animals as appropriate
- carry out the hand rearing of wildlife species
- identify a range of different species (wildlife) or breeds (domestic) in order to understand the behavioural and ecological needs of the animal as well as be aware of the potential risks it may pose
- support, as directed, a veterinary surgeon / veterinary nurse in a clinical environment with: dealing with potential and actual emergency situations pre and post-operative care patient monitoring for example anaesthetic monitoring in-patient care diagnostic care/tests/X-rays – positioning and exposing the dispensing and administration of medication end of life care for pets and providing support for the owner
Training schedule
Training will be delivered by Goddard Veterinary Nursing College (GVNC) through a blended learning programme combining workplace experience, structured online teaching, face-to-face college sessions and practical skills development.
Most of the apprentice’s time will be spent working in veterinary practice, where they will be supported by experienced colleagues and a Clinical Supervisor to develop practical skills and confidence. GVNC typically structures apprenticeship learning around approximately four days in practice and one day of lessons or study each week.
College days may be delivered online, in person or through structured self-directed study, depending on the subject and practical requirements. The Level 2 college day normally runs from 9.30am to 4.00pm, with regular assessments and learning activities throughout the programme.
GNVC Apprentices will also complete practical assessments, written assignments, portfolio evidence and preparation for their end-point assessment. Practical skills are reinforced through face-to-face teaching and supervised experience within the veterinary workplace.
GVNC also uses Microsoft Teams Education to support online learning, communication with tutors and access to digital resources.
This approach allows apprentices to earn while they learn, combining a paid role with a recognised qualification and real experience in veterinary practice.
More training information
Goddard Veterinary Nursing College (GVNC) is a specialist veterinary training provider supporting learners across the UK. Apprentices benefit from experienced veterinary educators, small class sizes, practical skills training and a supportive hybrid learning environment.
GVNC provides a purpose-built training centre in Woodford Green with modern classrooms, a dedicated clinical skills facility and access to digital learning through Microsoft Teams Education and Office 365.
Learners receive regular tutor support, practical skills development and workplace visits, with tutors working closely with apprentices and Clinical Supervisors to monitor progress and support learning in practice.
The Level 2 Veterinary Care Support programme is designed to develop the practical skills, knowledge and professional behaviours needed to become a qualified Veterinary Care Support Assistant, with opportunities to progress into further animal-care roles or Level 3 Veterinary Nursing.
More information can be found at www.gvnc.co.uk.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
Goddard Veterinary Group (GVG) is a long-established veterinary organisation providing high-quality care across London and the surrounding areas. The group has been caring for pets for more than 70 years and now includes 46 veterinary practices, three veterinary hospitals and its own veterinary nursing college. Goddard Veterinary Group
GVG places strong emphasis on teamwork, learning and colleague wellbeing. Apprentices are supported by experienced veterinary teams and dedicated apprenticeship tutors, gaining practical experience in a busy professional environment while developing the skills needed for a career in veterinary care. Goddard Veterinary Group
The organisation also offers a range of colleague benefits and supports ongoing professional development and progression within the veterinary sector
https://www.goddardvetgroup.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
We have a cash back benefits scheme, staff discounts and health care plan scheme.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful completion of the Level 2 Veterinary Care Support qualification can lead to a role as a qualified Veterinary Care Support Assistant within veterinary practice. Learners may also progress into other animal-care roles, including kennels, catteries, animal charities and pet-care environments.
For those who meet the relevant entry requirements and wish to continue their veterinary career, the Level 2 qualification and workplace experience can provide a pathway towards the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, with the aim of becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
GVNC supports learners to build confidence, practical experience and professional skills throughout their training, helping them progress within veterinary practice and the wider animal-care sector.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
GODDARD VETERINARY GROUP LIMITED
Liz Frankland
recruit@gvnc.education
020 4551 9473
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062489.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 14 January 2027
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.