A new online learning platform co-developed at the University of Winchester aims to combat a shortage of workplace educators in the NHS.
The interactive resource is aimed at members of the 14 Allied Health Professions (AHPs) – including physiotherapists, radiographers, and paramedics – who wish to become qualified practice educators able to supervise students on work placements.
According to the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, 25% more training places for AHPs will be needed by 2030/31, bringing the total to 18,800. This in turn will require more AHP workplace educators to supervise trainees.
A 2023 report by the Council of Deans of Health stated: “The demand for and expectations of the AHP workforce have never been higher. Securing the future and current professional workforce is dependent upon a sustainable and high-quality education workforce both in practice and in academic settings.”
NHS England South East commissioned the Universities of Winchester, Southampton, and Canterbury Christ Church to develop a single point of entry learning platform to support AHP educators.
The new platform, which aims to support implementation of the existing AHP Educator Career Framework, will be launched at an online event on 8th October at 1pm.
88 AHPs from a variety of professions and career levels participated in a stakeholders meeting in March at Winchester, which provided input for the interactive learning resource.
Participants asked for resources for all career levels, including support workers and learners, educators, strategic leaders, and senior managers, and the new resource has ‘personas’ developed for learners at different career stages alongside vignettes from a range of professionals so that AHPs can access relevant information.
Alongside the platform hosted on the Learning Hub, the team has been developing the Future NHS Practice Education Training Workspace, which contains training and shared resources to support practice education.
The project was led by Tai Frater, senior lecturer in practice education at Winchester’s Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Jo Kileff from the University of Southampton and Professor John Hammond of Christ Church Canterbury.
Tai said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Canterbury Christ Church and Southampton University to develop this exciting new platform for AHP educators across the South East and beyond. We hope this new platform will prove an essential tool for all AHPs seeking to develop their capabilities as effective educators able to support a diverse range of AHP learners.”
