The aim of the AHP Career Framework for Dorset is to provide guidance for HCPC registered AHPs and their managers in the development and progression of professionals through their careers. The framework is laid out to demonstrate progression from AfC bands 5-9 (NHS)/newly qualified – strategic managers (LA) across the four pillars of clinical practice (professional practice, education, leadership and research).
The Dorset AHP career framework builds upon the below listed national frameworks attempting to bring elements from each into a single framework.
- Health Education England – Multi-professional consultant-level practice capability and impact framework
- Health Education England – Multi-professional framework for advance practice in England
- Council for Allied Health Professions Research (CAHPR) – Research practitioners framework
- NHS England and NHS Improvement – Developing Allied Health Professional Leaders: A Guide for Trust Boards and Clinicians
The objective of an AHP career framework for Dorset is to provide a practical tool to guide appraisal discussions that support the aspirations and development of individual AHPs; to provide a framework to aid workforce planning and a steer for continuing professional development. It is anticipated that individuals will achieve at different career levels for the different pillars, and that using the document to map career progression will enable AHPs to plan their future career development. We acknowledge that elements of the framework relating to advanced practice need to be updated to include the requirements for consultants roles.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our work together (listening, understanding and responding to the diversity of our people’s needs in such a way that people feel understood, valued and have a sense of belonging to our organisations).
If you are an AHP support worker (not HCPC registered), this career development framework will not be helpful. Further information about developing the careers and competencies of AHP support staff.
A variety of materials have been employed to support the development of this draft framework.
- The Career Development Framework: Guiding principles for Occupational Therapy.
- Dorset Health Care Professional Clinical Career Framework
- Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice
- HEE Clinical Academic Career Framework
- Shaping Better Practice Through Research: A Practitioner Framework CAHPR & NIHR
- Developing Allied Health Professional Leaders: a guide for trust boards and clinicians
- A Digital Framework for Allied Health Professionals
- UK AHP Public Health Strategic Framework 2019-2024
Following the initial review of materials, a draft framework was compiled around pillar areas of Professional Practice, Education, Leadership and Research. It was determined that each pillar should include a set of Core Competencies with subsequent band specific competencies from bands 5-9. The draft framework was send to AHP colleagues across the region in the form of a questionnaire. This sought to assess whether any of the competencies were considered ‘Inappropriate, Irrelevant, or Not Achievable’. Additional free-flow comments were accepted.
The results enabled the draft framework to be altered in regard to areas of significant feedback. Following this, a number of focus groups were undertaken which considered the most appropriate way of implementing the framework. Additionally, colleagues were asked how they could be better supported in achieving some of the Research Competencies, a matter highlighted as being challenging and not achievable in the questionnaire responses. These discussions supported a further revision of the framework whilst providing feedback to HEE on how this could be best implemented.
Over 40 Allied Health Professionals supported us in the development of a Career Framework. We are so grateful for their help and commitment, especially during the current period of increased workloads due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Without their support and professional input we could not have brought the framework together.
Many thanks to Jennifer Catlin for managing this project which was finance by HEE, to Caroline Jones for creating the final document; and Hilary Hall (AHP Council Chair) and Prof Lesley Haig (Vice Chancellor AECC UC) for their support in enabling this project to progress.
Professor Carol Clark
Head of Department – Rehabilitation and Sports Science, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University