The Assistant Practitioners Conference

Wednesday, 12^th November 2008
Royal National Hotel
Bedford Way
London WC1H 0DG
Registration 9.30am, 10.00am - 4.00pm

The Assistant Practitioners Conference, Wednesday 12^th November 2008 at the Royal National Hotel, London. The aim of the day was to bring delegates together from around the UK to share best practice from a range of settings.

The format of the day was a mixture of presentations and interactive sessions with a focus on reflective practice and multi-disciplinary working.

The day saw the launch of the RCSLT National SIG for Assistant Practitioners, which provides delegate with the opportunity to connect with colleagues nationally online through a dedicated website after the conference. The Assistant Practitioner Education and Standards Working Group presented on their progress to date and welcomed feedback from delegates.

Learning Outcomes:

After attending the day, delegates were able to:

• Collaborate with other Assistant Practitioners throughout the day and gain contact information for others in local services
• Have your say in the consultation process in the work of the Assistant Practitioner Education and Standards group
• Share your knowledge, expertise and offer your support using the newly formed RCSLT Assistant Practitioner SIG online tool
• Return to your service with many fresh and workable ideas you can apply to tackle challenges in your service
• Undertake robust reflective practice with your colleagues in your service to support CPD locally.
• Use the materials from the day (which will be available online) to hold a similar event in your service.
• State key points concerning the political landscape relevant to Assistant Practitioners.
• Contact one of two Assistant Practitioner representatives now appointed in the RCSLT Governance structure
• Apply knowledge from the event when you return to your services to evaluate your role, in terms of uncovering areas of personal development that you would like to develop further
• Communicate the history of the Assistant Practitioner role to others with greater confidence
• Describe the value of Assistant Practitioners and promote the expertise you bring to the development of services

Comments from Delegates 2007

`Enjoyable and informative day.'

`Found networking opportunities invaluable and the diverse experiences of SLTAs.'

`Great opportunity to put names to faces; to feel more part of a professional body and to know that support is there.'

Full details can be found on the agenda.

Presentations

• Assistant practitioners and the RCSLT - Vanessa Owens, member of Professional Development and Standards Board, RCSLT and Sharon Hambley, member of Membership and Communications Board, RCSLT
• The assistants of steel - Liz Holmes, SLT assistant, Sheffield PCT
• The assistants of steel - Heather Austin, Lead SLT assistant, Sheffield Speech and Language Therapy Agency
  
• From bed pans to boardmaker - Harry Gerrard, SLT assistant, Ayrshire and Arron NHS Trust
• A career changing opportunity - Chris Hughes, SLT assistant, North Tyneshire PCT
• Assistants' roles in East Lancashire - Sharon Westhead and Debbie Banks, SLT assistants, East Lancashire NHS
• Writing for Bulletin - Steven Harulow, Communications Manager and Bulletin editor, RCSLT
• Assistant practitioner working group session - Paula Saint, assistant practitioner in speech and language therapy special needs, North Bristol NHS Trust and Michele Kelly, operational lead SLT Early Years, Buckinghamshire PCT

Find out more about the Assistant Education & Training policy statement and consultation