Annual Report extract: External Engagement

Sue Beacock, Associate Dean

Sue Beacock

2013 has been an exciting year for the external engagement team. We have been involved in several key developments in the Faculty and with our partners and others externally.  The biggest internal change has come in terms of admissions with the development of the team of admissions tutors for the pre-qualifying programmes. We now have Sheila Wright as overall admissions co-ordinator; Benita Wilson for the adult field; Lolita Alfred for mental health; Mary Dearing for learning disabilities and Jackie Wright for children. Nicky Clarke is continuing her role for midwifery as is Paul Jeffries for Operating Department Practitioners. In November we welcomed the admissions staff for SSPRD into the Faculty meaning that the process of applying for our post qualifying courses is more streamlined and there is a single point of contact within the Faculty.

With the development of Health Education Yorkshire and Humber (HEEY&H) and the associate local training and education board as our commissioners, we have had a clear steer in the direction of the Faculty portfolio. With the support of our partners, we have developed a new approach to the structure and delivery of our Specialist Skills – Post Registration Development (SSPRD, formerly Continuing Professional Development) provision

With new and flexible frameworks for both the Masters and Associate Practitioners we are now able to align professional development to the needs identified by the NHS and other providers.  One example of this development is the MSc in Advanced Practice where this year we have worked with two provider National Health Service Trusts to tailor a programme to meet the needs of advanced clinical practitioner roles. The MSc Health Studies framework now has stepping off points at post graduate certificate and diploma levels enabling us to work with students and their managers to develop specific skills as they relate to practice areas, examples of developments being critical care, mental health dementia and  long terms conditions. The masters has a naming process allowing for student determined awards depending on the pathway being undertaken.

Supporting clinical and service areas in workforce issues and development is becoming a strong feature in the Faculty and we are developing new ways of such joint working such as agreeing an annual SSPRD plan with some partner organisations and this is something we are hoping to build on.  This year we have also developed an extended portfolio in terms of specific and bespoke work, using the flexibilities that have been built into the SSPRD contract we are able to respond to requests from our partners for study days, consultancy and practice development activity. Please come and talk to us if you need any help in developing yourself, your staff or your organisation.