New return-to-practice courses for allied health professionals
By Gemma Raw
Birmingham City and Coventry universities have launched two new courses aimed at allied health professionals who've taken a career break and want to return to practice.
The NHS is facing huge pressures and workforce challenges. Healthcare professionals may choose to leave their profession for many different reasons. However, many are simply taking a temporary time out, perhaps to raise a family or care for elderly relatives. With many allied health professional vacancies across the UK, it's vital that practitioners who are ready to return to practice are given every opportunity to do so.
Funded by Health Education England (HEE), these two new return-to-practice courses offer flexible online learning with academic support available as and when needed. They're aimed at a wide range of allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, dietitians, physiotherapists, radiographers, and speech and language therapists. In the future, it's hoped that the scheme can be extended to include provision for other allied health professions, including those who want to return to biomedical science roles and psychiatry jobs.
“Our aim is to give allied health professionals who’ve taken a break from practice the most flexible and supportive route possible back to work, " said Paul Chapman, HEE's AHP Programme Manager. "The courses have been designed specifically to help meet the demands of busy lifestyles."
Who can apply?
If you're an HCPC-registered allied health professional but you haven't worked for two years, or if you didn't register to practise within five years of qualifying, you need to update your knowledge and skills before returning to practice. HCPC recommends 30 days of study if you've not practised for two to five years, or 60 days of study if you've been out of your profession for more than five years. The two new courses are designed to meet these requirements.
Is funding available?
Yes, HEE can provide you with £800 to support your out-of-pocket expenses.
Because people's learning needs vary, a personalised return-to-practice action plan will be devised for you, with support and guidance from your personal tutor. You'll be able to access learning materials which are relevant to your field of practice, whether you're an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, radiographer or you specialise in another allied health role.
Comprising both academic and clinical practice elements, this course focuses on practice-based skills , as well as the theoretical underpinning of current developments and influences on the allied health professions. Course content is aligned to the HEE four pillars: Clinical Practice, Leadership, Education and Research. It's also mapped to the relevant HCPC Standards of Proficiency.
More information on returning to practice is available on the HEE website here.
