Latest apprenticeship standard consultation opens

^{The scheme could allow CSP members to develop into advanced practice roles}

The consultation follows a series of proposals to develop apprenticeships at various levels for physiotherapy staff and allied health professionals.

This consultation is on the standard for a Level 7 advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) apprenticeship. If approved, the apprenticeship could offer CSP members the opportunity to develop into advanced practice roles by pursing a Master's level (level 7) route, financed by their employer.

Apprenticeships must be employer-led and are supported by education providers. They must also adhere to nationally-agreed standards, signed off by government bodies.

The ACP consultation is the first-stage exercise to establish what the standard should be.

Supporting diversity

Sally Gosling, assistant director at the CSP said: ‘We are keen to ensure that the standard takes full account of the diversity of physiotherapy advanced practice and roles across all settings and sectors.

‘We need it to support the development of the physiotherapy workforce, reflecting changing patient care needs and service delivery models.’

She stressed it was important that the standard:

• allowed sufficient flexibility in the education that supports physiotherapists’ advanced practice development
• recognised and built on the knowledge, skills and capabilities that all registered physiotherapists bring to advanced practice roles from their pre-registration education and subsequent professional experience

Submit your views

Dr Gosling encouraged members to respond to the consultation via the online survey.

‘It is extremely important that views are fed in on how the ACP standard is developed further, so that, once it has gone through formal approval, it can be implemented by employers to meet skills development needs.’

She said the CSP would be submitting a response, as well as coordinating a response from AHP organisations.