Delivering a bespoke education programme and learning framework for the integrated speech & language therapy head and...

The Cheshire and Merseyside (C&M) integrated head and neck cancer (HNC) speech and language therapy (SLT) service based in Liverpool in the UK successfully developed and delivered an in house, fast-track education programme for the primary purpose of advancing SLT clinicians from specialist to highly specialist roles to deliver care to the C&M HNC population as part of a novel integrated service. The bespoke curriculum, competency and assessment framework were intensively delivered through a range of workplace-based training.The aim of this review is to share the principles underpinning the developed frameworks.

The development of the bespoke SLT HNC education programme and competency framework was informed by Macmillan AHP competencies, the Aspirant Cancer Career Education and Development (ACCEND) programme and with reference to the four pillars of practice as described in the advanced clinical practitioner framework. The C&M framework was centred around evidence based principles of medical education specifically Constructivist Learning theory and included foundation theory teaching, self-directed learning, technical skills mastery, delivered by blended and workplace-based learning events. The assessment framework incorporated peer and clinical supervision, viva and case reviews and workplace-based assessment including Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) with entrustable professional activities (EPA).

The education programme was successful in progressing SLT staff within 18 months to achieve appropriate competencies to deliver a new integrated service across C&M. The detailed competency and assessment frameworks developed spans the whole of the HNC patient pathway. Next steps are sharing the success of this work and further development of the learning programme for C&M and other services.