On this page you will find guidance, resources and information regarding the development of Advanced Practice in a number of specialities.
Learning Disability and Autism
This work is being supported by Haley Whelpton, Specialist Advisor in Learning Disability and Autism. Haley’s role is to support the development and implementation of advanced practice within learning disability and autism services, in both specialist and mainstream provision (including secondary and primary care). Advanced practice is available to practitioners from social care and third sector organisations who deliver NHS services and are able to meet the governance requirements. Haley is the first point of contact in NEY for advanced practice in learning disability and autism.
Background
In recent years, the learning disabilities and autism workforce has been the focus of much attention, the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) Programme has highlighted the persistence of preventable health inequalities and that people with a learning disability die, on average, 15-20 years sooner than people without a learning disability. LeDeR emphasised the need for healthcare coordination for people with complex or multiple health conditions and assurance that effective, reasonable adjustments are being provided for people with a learning disability and their families
The NHS Long Term Plan (2019) seeks to ensure that people with learning disability and/or autism get better support.
Developing the workforce to meet these aims requires a review of roles, teams and associated education and training, advanced practitioners in learning disability and autism will provide the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are needed for workforce transformation and improved outcomes for the people that we serve. (Adapted from the introduction of Capabilities framework, HEE, 2020)
In 2020 the national Advanced Clinical Practice: Capabilities framework when working with people who have a learning disability and/or autism was developed. At a similar time, a post-graduate certificate in learning disability and/or autism was developed and piloted by two universities (Edge Hill and Cumbria). A formal evaluation has been commissioned and is expected in 2023. Feedback has strongly suggested a requirement to separate learning disability and autism; to provide education/training specifically regarding the needs of people who are autistic but have no learning or intellectual disability.
Two credentials have been developed:
1. The Advanced Practice Credential Specification: for Supporting People with Learning Disabilities, Including People with a Learning Disability who are Autistic was released 16th November 2022 and is available here.
2. Multi-professional Advanced Practice Credential in Autism (children, young people and adults of all ages) is currently in HEE’s assurance process awaiting ratification of endorsement. The document will need to be finalised and release is expected early 2023.
Enquiries are most welcome form Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) who may be interested in developing modules to deliver the credentials
In the North East and Yorkshire (NEY) region Sheffield Hallam University will be delivering the first credential as part of their Advanced Practice MSc. Further information about the development of the autism credential can be found here.
The post graduate certificate can be studied and be presented to HEIs as prior learning providing credits towards the Advanced practice MSc (each HEI has its own policy regarding this). Once the trainee has completed the Advanced Practice MSc the PG Cert becomes a credential. Currently work is planned to retrospectively endorse the PG Cert to enable this to happen.
Speciality numbers
In the North East and Yorkshire for 2021/22, 5 trainees started the Post Graduate Certificate in Learning Disability and Autism at University of Cumbria or Edgehill University. Sheffield Hallam University are developing modules for the learning disability credential (see ‘1’ above), NEY Regional faculty is working in collaboration with them.
The national target for 2022/23 is 250 trainees.
The new offer for learning disability and autism is expected early 2023 and we will post the information.
Regional Learning Disability and Autism Advanced Practice Operational Group
The NEY Regional Strategic Learning Disability and Autism Advanced Practice Reference Group has been established to provide strategic direction and support for a coordinated and consistent approach to developing the Learning Disability and Autism advanced practice workforce across the region. This forum is open to all stakeholders who are interested in growing the Advanced Practice role in Learning Disability and Autism, please email neyadvancedpractice@hee.nhs.uk for further information or to join.
Prior and upcoming events
Career Development: Come and Find Out About Advanced Practice in Learning Disability & Autism
Do you want to be an Advanced Practitioner in Learning Disability & Autism? Do you want to develop Advanced Practice in your organisation? The North East and Yorkshire Faculty for Advancing Practice are planning our first engagement event on Friday 27th January 2023 from 09:00 – 12:30 at Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Campus, Heart of the Campus.
The event is for practitioners from Health and Social Care Learning Disability and Autism services or practitioners from Secondary/Primary Care organisations that work with people with Learning Disabilities and Autism who want to develop their careers and are curious about Advanced Practice, and for employers to find out how they can support Advanced Practice in their organisation.
The event will provide: • Background of the development of Advanced Practice in Learning Disability & Autism • The process for applications and funding offers • Supervision of Advanced practitioners in the workplace • Sheffield Hallam University Advanced Practice Programme • Building system readiness for Advanced Practice roles • CPD session for aspiring Advanced Practitioners • A light lunch. This is a face-to-face event, but if there is enough interest, we may consider additionally holding the event virtually. There are currently limited places available. If you are interested in attending the event, please complete the registration form here.
Developing ACPs in Learning Disabilities and Autism Webinar
The North East and Yorkshire Faculty for Advancing Practice will be hosting a webinar on 09/02/2023 at 12:30 – 13:30 via Microsoft Teams around Advanced Practice in Learning Disabilities and Autism. The purpose of the webinar is to explain the rationale for developing credentials and provide an overview of their content and how they may be delivered as modules within an ACP MSc. A summary of the evolution of the credentials will be provided and the new funding offer will be presented together with a clear description of criteria required to qualify. For further details and to register to attend, please click here.
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The Centre for Advancing Practice National Conference, 7th, and 10th November 2022.
NEY Specialist Advisor in Learning Disability and Autism and the Workforce Race Equality Standards Champion presented jointly – Culture change: why must Advanced Practitioners champion equality for our people and the people that we serve – The session and presentation will be available to view soon. The presentation included practical resources for all practitioners working with people with a learning disability and/or autism – please explore the links in the resources section below.
Developing Advanced Practitioners in Learning Disability and Autism Webinar
A regional webinar ‘Developing Advanced Practitioners in Learning Disability and Autism’ was aired 15th of February 2022. Speakers included:
Julie Perrin – Regional Faculty Lead North East and Yorkshire Faculty for Advancing Practice; Marie Lancett – Workforce Specialist Learning Disability and Autism; Tim Devanney – National Learning Disability and Autism Programme Manager; Christina Edwards – studying the Post Graduate Certificate in Learning Disability and Autism; Natalie Hewitt – Advanced l Practitioner & Juliet McGilligan – Regional Programme Manager Learning Disability and Autism. To view this webinar, email neyadvancedpractice@hee.nhs.uk for access.
Guidance and reports
The Learning Disability Improvement Standards for NHS Trusts
v1.17_Improvement_Standards_added_note.pdf (england.nhs.uk
LeDeR 2020 Report
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/university-of-bristol-leder-annual-report/
Inclusion North’s Stop People Dying Too Young Group – Response to LeDeR 2020 (Video)
Leder 2021 Reports
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/leder
NICE Learning Disability Clinical Knowledge Summary
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/learning-disabilities/background-information/complications-prognosis/
Mental health Foundation – Research and statistics – Autism
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/autism-and-mental-health
Research Study – Autism and death by suicide
The Down Syndrome Act
The Down Syndrome Act – Downs Syndrome Association (downs-syndrome.org.uk)
Learning Disability Research and Statistic – Mencap
Learning Disability Research and Statistics | Mencap
The National Autistic Society (What is Autism Video)
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism
Resources – Practical suggestions and information on how to make reasonable adjustments
Information for Professionals from above resource website
Free resources at Makaton
Resources for Professionals from Mencap
https://www.mencap.org.uk/learning-disability-explained/resources-healthcare-professionals
Health Guides, Hospital Passports and Summary Care Guides at Mencap
https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/health-coronavirus/health-guides
Download the Pre Hospital App:
Anyone can download and use the App for free! Its available on iOS, Android and Blackberry.
– iOS – search for ‘PreHospApp’
– Blackberry – search for ‘pre hospital app’
– Android – search for ‘Pre-Hospital Communication App’
To find out more about this work or to get involved, please contact Haley on H.Whelpton@shu.ac.uk.
New virtual network for advancing practice in learning disability and/or autism (multi-professional)
Our new network for qualified advanced practitioners and consultants in learning disability and/or autism (including those aspiring to be or in training) is currently being piloted. This pilot will enable network members to connect, work together to find solutions, share best practice and more.
The network, offers its members the opportunity to influence the development of advancing practice roles. Recognising that members will work within a multi-disciplinary team to take a holistic approach to individual’s care and support, it will also give aspiring, trainee and qualified advanced practitioners and consultants a space in which to consider ways to support educational development for themselves and the future workforce.
The network is accessible 24/7 and we hope it will provide a platform for members to get advice and peer support. We will also be running a number of virtual events, including an official launch event on 7 March 2023 – more information on this in due course.
The network is free to join. To become a member complete the virtual network registration form. We look forward to seeing you there!
Mental Health
The Centre for Advancing Practice has launched a new online Advanced Practice in Mental Health Community of Practice pilot which is aimed at qualified ACPs in mental health as well as those aspiring to or training toward becoming an ACP in mental health. This pilot will enable members to connect, share best practice and influence the development of advanced practice roles. For more information, to become a member and to register for the events visit here
We have developed a NEY Regional Mental Health Advanced Practice Operational Group to provide strategic direction and support for a coordinated and consistent approach to developing the Mental Health workforce across the region. This forum is open to all stakeholders who are interested in growing the Advanced Practice role Mental Health. If you would like further information or join the stakeholder group, please email neyadvancedpractice@hee.nhs.uk.
Midwifery
The regional faculty has developed a regional Maternity ACP Operational Group for all interested stakeholders across the region to operationally deliver requirements of the Advanced Practice programme relating to Maternity. This forum is open to all stakeholders who are interested in growing the Advanced Practice role in Midwifery, please email neyadvancedpractice@hee.nhs.uk for further information or to join.
The Advanced Clinical Practice in Midwifery: Capability Framework has been produced in order to help create the new midwifery roles required to meet the health needs of the population. This framework has been produced following analysis commissioned by Health Education England and the recommendations that came from it. The framework is a culmination of the work done to undertake a deep dive into the use and development of Advanced Clinical Practice in maternity services. There is a clear need for highly experienced clinicians who are trained to an advanced level with an ability to manage clinical care in partnership with childbearing people and families. This framework will support how midwives can advance their careers and we look forward to seeing the associated improvements in safe and personalised maternity care.