The South East has 6 Integrated Care Boards (ICB), also referred to as Integrated Care Systems (ICS). Each has an AHP Faculty who work together co-ordinating and driving forwards workstreams such as National Support Worker Programme, Return to Practice, profession specific work and leadership, to name a few.
The Faculties are made up colleagues who work for NHS organisations, Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), ICS and Local Authorities. Working collaboratively helps us learn from each other, share good practice and address the needs of the workforce wherever they work. This also helps further develop the relationship between Health and Social Care. The videos below explain the faculties further.
There are lots of ways for our Support Workforce to get involved, with the work of the faculties as well as networking and learning from those who work is other parts of the system. Some of the AHP Faculties have Support worker networks already set up and running, others are in the process of doing so. You can find information below about what is happening in your ICS.
There is a National network too.
Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire (BOB)
The support worker network is an opportunity for all AHP support workers to meet across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West and have a forum for training, professional development and opportunities to network outside of their department/Trust.
Aims of AHP Support Worker Network
- To value and recognise the important role of AHP Support Workers
- Focused topics each session to aid learning e.g. health coaching, social prescribing
- Share learning and development opportunities and discuss CPD/ career development
- Enable you to network and connect with colleagues
- Learn about other AHP support worker roles across BOB.
Contact: Helen Burgess BOB AHP Faculty Support Workforce Programme Manager helen.burgess19@nhs.net for teams link.
Please see padlet below for further information on BOB AHP Faculty
Frimley Health
Contact W.Firth@nhs.net or Caroline.Reynolds@nhs.net
Hampshire and Isle of Wight (HIOW)
Please contact Suzzanni.Strickland@nhs.net
Kent and Medway
Surrey Heartlands
Please contact Laura.Bandara1@nhs.net
Sussex
The Sussex AHP Support Worker Network aims to provide information, education, support and networking opportunities to empower support workers both in their working life and their career progression.
We meet monthly and alternate between Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12-1.
If you are interested in joining the Network please email sxicb.sussexahpfaculty@nhs.net.
The Support Worker Voice is a free virtual network facilitated by Health Education England, set up specifically for the Support Worker workforce. It consists of regular meetings with an agenda driven by Support Workers.
The network gives Support Workers the chance to meet their counterparts from across the country so they may feel connected, share values and opinions and most importantly have their voices heard.
To register your interest and receive your invitation please email us on supportworkervoice@hee.nhs.uk
Some of the professional bodies also have resources and networks for those working within that field. Each professional body is at different stages in their journey for this – below you will see a list of the bodies and a link to their website landing page.
Professional body landing pages:
- Art Therapists – The British Association of Art Therapists
- Dieticians – The British Dietetic Association
- Dramatherapists – The British Association of Dramatherapists
- Music Therapists – British Association for Music Therapy
- Occupational Therapists – Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- Orthoptics – British and Irish Orthoptic Society
- Paramedics – College of Paramedics
- Physiotherapists – Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Podiatrists – Royal College of Podiatry
- Prosthetits and Orthotists – British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists
- Radiographers (Diagnostic & Therapeutic) – Society of Radiographers
- Speech and Language Therapists – Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists