Apprentice software developer

Band 4 · Software developer · 276 job evaluation points

UK GDaD PCF level: Apprentice developer

Most often performed at Civil Service grade AO or EO.

An apprentice developer attends certified training and develops skills on the job.
At this role level, you will:
spend a substantial portion of time shadowing others
work with other developers to write code and tests
build your knowledge
follow a test-driven approach
write code that is automatically tested

Contains public sector information from the UK Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (https://understand-digital-data-roles-skills.service.gov.uk/), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.

Responsibilities

Learn the team's languages, tools, and ways of working through structured training and pairing.
Write and test small, well-defined pieces of code under close supervision.
Follow secure coding, information governance, and clinical safety procedures.
Take part in team ceremonies such as stand-ups, planning, and retrospectives.
Work towards an apprenticeship or equivalent qualification.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Availability and capacity managementUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain availability and capacity management processes
Information securityUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain information security and the security controls available to protect solutions and services
Modern development standardsUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the importance of using modern development standards
Programming and build (software engineering)UK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: design, code, test, correct and document simple programs or scripts under the direction of others
PrototypingUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain what prototyping is, and why and when to use it understand how to work in an open and collaborative environment (by pair working, for example)
Service supportUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: help with the investigation and fixing of service faults, completing defined activities under direction
User focusUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: show an awareness or understanding of user experience analysis and its principles explain the purpose of user stories and the focus on user needs
Understanding health and care servicesThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: describe the main parts of the health and care system and the services the organisation supports explain why patient safety and confidentiality matter in your work
Clinical risk managementThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain how health IT systems can harm patients, for example through wrong, missing, or delayed information report a possible clinical safety issue through the right route
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: follow the organisation's rules for handling personal and health information recognise and report a data breach or near miss

Typical qualifications and experience

Enrolled on, or working towards, a software development apprenticeship or equivalent.

Band 4 outline

Knowledge: Detailed knowledge of the work area, typically from a foundation degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience.
Autonomy: Works within guidelines; resolves most day-to-day problems; manager available for advice.
Scope: Own work and a defined service or process.
Leadership: May supervise a small team or coordinate others' work.
Accountability: Delivery of a defined service or process.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	3	Gives routine information needing tact or persuasion, or complex or sensitive information, or straightforward training to groups.	21
Knowledge, training, and experience	4	A range of procedures, mostly non-routine, needing intermediate theory (for example a foundation degree or equivalent experience).	88
Analytical and judgemental skills	3	Judgements on a range of facts or situations needing analysis or comparison of options.	27
Planning and organisational skills	2	Plans straightforward tasks or activities, some ongoing.	15
Physical skills	3	Developed skills needing speed or accuracy, such as advanced keyboard use.	27
Responsibility for patient and client care	1	Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.	4
Responsibility for policy and service development	1	Follows policies set by others; may comment on changes.	5
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	1	Takes personal care of equipment and resources used in own work.	5
Responsibility for people	1	Shows own work routines to new or less experienced colleagues.	5
Responsibility for information resources	4	Adapts or designs information systems to others' specifications, or runs information systems for a department as the main duty.	24
Responsibility for research and development	2	Regularly does research, development, trials, or equipment and system testing as part of the job.	12
Freedom to act	2	Follows standard procedures and precedent; someone is usually available to ask; work may be checked.	12
Physical effort	2	Frequent sitting or standing in a restricted position, or occasional light to moderate effort.	7
Mental effort	3	Frequent concentration on unpredictable work, or occasional prolonged concentration.	12
Emotional effort	1	Rare exposure, or occasional indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.	5
Working conditions	2	Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.	7
Total (Band 4: 271 to 325)			276

Knowledge is scored at the level the job needs once training is complete enough to do the work; information resources reflects work on systems designed by others.