There is a recognised need to create and provide specialised and accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and allied professionals.
CPD improves the career prospects and career progression of individuals, and the quality of services they can deliver. It also provides managers with a tool for ensuring their workforce has the full range of competencies required to deliver the high quality services which commissioners demand.
A number of drivers of change in working practice in the NHS, Education, Social Care and in the Professions have created a focus on improving quality through an agenda of responsive, applicable and high quality CPD.
Such drivers include: High quality care for all (Darzi, 2008); Bercow review of services for children and young people (0-19) with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (Bercow, 2008); Modernising allied health professions careers (DoH 2008) ;The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS KSF) (October 2004).
The Speech & Language Sciences Section of the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, in partnership with North East Regional Speech and Language Therapy Managers and the Regional Strategic Health Authority is working to develop a framework of CPD modules, for this group of professionals which are accessible and which meet identified CPD needs.
This framework aims to provide flexible, accessible, specialist and accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and professionals allied to their work in education, social care and health contexts, supporting them to advance their careers through the delivery of Masters level qualifications which are tailored to align with professional commitments.
The framework is designed in order that it can be to be responsive to the identified CPD needs of the professions and to changing agendas in education, health and social care.
The first wave of modules relate to Children with Speech Language & Communication Needs (SLCN), Leadership for Allied Health Professionals, and Evidence Based Practice. Further modules are in development in partnership with North East Regional Speech and Language Therapy Managers.
All modules are designed to be accessible to busy working practitioners and so are delivered in concentrated blocks to fit around normal working practice, with contact teaching time of between 2 and 4 full days for each module. Approximately 8-10 additional days self-study is required in order to complete the module requirements.
The modules vary as to whether they are exclusively designed for SLTs or whether they are also suitable for other professionals. This information can be found for each module below.
Applications are welcomed from across the UK and from outside of the UK. (See entry requirements below). For students attending from outside of the North East of England a range of affordable accommodation is available in Newcastle, please get in touch for more information.
Participants on these modules and those in development, can receive academic credits for their work. In order to receive a University Certificate of Credit Achieved you would need to apply for entry onto one of the CPD framework’s stand-alone modules, be accepted, enrol at the University and successfully complete the module and associated assessment. Each of the modules would be worth 20 credits at Postgraduate level. This proposal is subject to Faculty approval.
The University is also considering developing programmes which would allow participants to accumulate credits from a minimum of 60 to a maximum of 180 credits and so be awarded a Certificate, a Diploma or a Masters in Professional Practice in Allied Health.
Potential routes through the CPD Framework
Routes |
|
Outcome |
1 |
Attend and complete 1 CPD module (20 credits) |
University Certificate of Credit (Masters level Accredited CPD) |
2* |
Attend and complete 3 CPD modules (60 credits) |
Certificate in Professional Practice in Allied Health |
3* |
Attend and complete 6 CPD modules (120 credits) |
Diploma in Professional Practice in Allied Health |
4* |
Attend and complete 6 CPD modules including Research Methods Complete Dissertation (60 credits) |
Masters in Professional Practice in Allied Health |
*These routes are currently subject to approval.
The following modules are currently approved. Please click on the module titles below for more details and to check the next available dates of the individual modules. (Please note the availability of all modules is subject to sufficient student numbers). Further modules continue to be developed in response to identified CPD needs and will be added to the menu of modules offered.
Research Methods in Assessment and Intervention - SPE8306
Suitable for: SLTs, Specialist Teachers, AHPs
Module Leader: Professor David Howard
Dates: 30th, 31st, January 2012; 1st, 2nd February 2012
Closing date: 31st July 2011
Critical Appraisal for Evidence Based Practice - SPE8300
Suitable for: SLTs, Specialist Teachers, AHPs
Module Leader: Dr Helen Stringer
Dates: November 21st; 22nd, 23rd 2011
Closing date: 31st July 2011
Advanced communication practice for school-aged children with autism - SPE8311
Professionals: SLTs, Specialist Teachers
Primary module contributor: Melanie Wilkinson
Advanced theory & practice in developmental language difficulties - SPE8309
Professionals: SLTs
Module Leader: Dr Cristina McKean
Dates: Autumn 2012 dates to be confirmed
Advanced assessment of children with speech language and communication needs (SLCN) - SPE8310
Professionals: SLTs, Specialist Teachers
Module Leader: Dr Helen Stringer
Dates: 19th, 20th and 21st March 2012
Effecting change in multi-agency contexts: influencing and leadership - SPE8314
Professionals: SLTs, Health Professionals working in multi-agency environments.
Modules Leader: Dr Liz Kemp
Dates: 14th & 15th March 2012, 3rd May 2012
Topics in speech and language management in Parkinsonian syndromes - SPE8040
Professionals:
SLTs; other professionals who work with people with Parkinson’s and related disorders
Module Leader: Professor Nick Miller
The fees for the academic year 2011 – 2012 are £550 for each 20 credit stand-alone module. A contribution to fees via bursaries for SLTs in the North-East region may be available for the academic year 2011-12. Please contact Dr Cristina McKean or Ruth Daglish for more information.
We strongly encourage applicants who are unsure whether they meet the entry requirements to discuss their application with the CPD Framework Director, Dr Cristina McKean cristina.mckean@ncl.ac.uk or Head of Section, Dr Julie Morris julie.morris@ncl.ac.uk
Applications are now open for the modules listed below. Please use the application guide to support you with this process. If you have any queries please contact Cristina McKean or Ruth Daglish If you wish to be notified when applications are opened for other modules then please register your interest with Ruth Daglish
When applying please quote the module codes listed at the end of the module title (i.e. SPE83XX).
If you have any queries or questions please get in touch.