FAST is currently drafting a feasibility study
for a workforce development strategy for the field of AT, including a
review of the current gaps in relation to an AT framework for workforce
competence.
The draft study is currently out with the planning groups (the
sector skills councils (care and health) Department of Health and Children's
Workforce Development Council) and the reference group (mainly AT Forum members
and other education providers who have been providing input over the last couple
of years. Once its been tidied up and a summary written (as the potential
application is hugh and consequently the draft study is pretty hefty) then we
can get it up on the FAST site (and perhaps that of the Sector Skills Councils)
for wider comment. Then its a matter of securing the funding for the proposed
work.
The framework approach is built on exactly the range of
skills/ competence that you describe and which is at the heart of the Trusted
Assessor approach. I think it is also likely that in the competence
demonstration and related education provision we would want to ensure people had
support to build hands-on technical competence and confidence (if they don't
already have it) (this is something we have talked about previously
Geoff and in fact your comments kicked off this proposal for me).
The wide application of the framework is required to address
the problems with career development that have developed and which were
highlighted in the FAST/ AT Forum report from last November (available to
download on the FAST website). This has implications for the amount of work
required to gain consensus on taking it forward.
I have little doubt that something along the lines we proprose
will be implemented - if only because, the changes that are likely as a
result of the service remodelling for community services and wheelchair services
will require regulation/ standardisation of workforce competence agross
statutory/ voluntary and industry providers. It therefore goes wider than the
KSF but will need to relate to this framework of course.
I can send through a copy of the draft report to anyone who
emails me - but you need to bear in mind that it is draft (several typos and
text a bit clunky in places) and also has yet to receive the endorsement of the
planning and reference groups.
Cheers.
Keren
---------------------------------------------------------
Keren
Down
Director
Foundation for Assistive Technology - FAST
12 City
Forum
250 City Road
London EC1V 8AF
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 3303
Fax: +44
(0) 20 7253 5990
Reg. Charity Number: 1061636
Why not go to the FAST website at http://www.fastuk.org to find out more about
FAST and how you can be involved.
-----------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 5:13
PM
Subject: KSF for Assistive
Technologists
Dear All.
I am trying to get my head round this whole business of the KSF
competencies.
Is anyone working on one for Assistive Technologists, because it seems to
me that we need an unusual mix of skills in order to do what we do. This being
medical and technical skills along with clinical skills such as assessment for
EC and AAC equipment, let alone weird and wonderful solutions for new and
difficult problems.
Throw in postural management, IT, computer and SLT skills, and none
of the existing competency sets seem to be completely applicable.
And when you have got a profile, what do you do with it, do you just go
around documenting and justifying all the things you have been doing for years
anyway - can't quite see the point in it.
There is no position where I am, higher than the one I have got now to
move up to, so what would I be working towards? Can I go up a pay band on the
basis of advanced competencies earned?
I am perplexed !!
What do people think?
Geoff Harbach
Clinical Technologist
WMRC