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
