Important Update: Credential Specifications Are Now Area-Specific Capabilities Frameworks
NHS England has updated its terminology to better reflect the purpose and clarity of advanced practice resources.
To find information and all the Centre endorsed frameworks please visit the all new Area-Specific Capabilities Frameworks section.
Why This Change?
To improve clarity and consistency what were credentials are now area-specific capabilities frameworks. This change:
- Aligns terminology with the frameworks’ purpose and practical use.
- Enhances transparency for practitioners, employers, and education providers.
- Supports clearer communication and easier navigation of advanced practice expectations.
What This Means for You
This shift reflects a commitment to greater transparency and consistency within advanced practice. The new terminology provides a clearer, more intuitive description of what these frameworks entail, aligning language with their purpose and practical application. The renaming marks an important step forward in making advanced practice resources more accessible and user-friendly.
- For practitioners
- Easily identify and develop the capabilities required in your specific area of advanced practice. The new terminology avoids confusion with other uses of the word “credential”.
- For employers
- Gain a clearer understanding of the competencies expected in various roles, aiding in workforce planning and development. Frameworks are adaptable, enabling alignment with local needs.
- For education providers
- Supports education providers by providing greater flexibility in how they implement area-specific capability frameworks within accredited MSc advanced practice programmes or as specific named pathways to meet system and population needs.
Recognition: Continues through the existing digital badging system. The ‘Advanced’ badge still represents the level of practice, not the specialty.
Looking ahead, this change in terminology is just one part of a wider shift in advanced practice in England. The Centre for Advancing Practice is aligning language with purpose. The goal is a clearer, more effective framework. One that supports both practitioners and employers.