It is important to have a well-trained workforce and this is especially so in mental healthcare services. This article is the first of four looking at mental healthcare services and the apprentice assistant practitioner (AAP). The background to the introduction of assistant practitioners (AP), both in generic terms and more specifically their potential in mental health provision, will be explored. The present situation in mental health services will be examined, along with how the AP role might help mitigate some of the critical challenges faced in this area of health. The development of higher apprenticeships will be discussed in relation to standardisation of the AP role and how universally recognised apprenticeship standards around knowledge, behaviours and values will aid a more consistent understanding of the AP position and their consequent deployment in services.
This briefing paper is about delivering 'more for less' within the public sector. A crude cost-cutting approach is rejected and instead it is recommended that councils and their professional advisors develop a deep understanding of what is required for people to live civilised lives. It is argued that only when these questions are properly understood can the issue of affordability be addressed. In order to achieve this, the engineer needs to do many things: keep up to date with technological developments; collaborate with others to ensure that materials and processes are widely available and economically produced; and ensure that all procurement decisions are made with regard to the wholelife cost of the project. In order to develop this approach the Municipal Engineering Expert Panel has published case studies on the Institution of Civil Engineers website and provided links to other websites where best practice is available. In addition they are seeking data about the public perception of the quality of local infrastructure and the boundaries between which economic activity is encouraged and those places that people avoid visiting. By understanding this relationship, the engineer can make better recommendations about the investment required to make a project both a success and affordable.
It is important to gain understanding of how apprentice assistant practitioners (AAPs) have an impact in mental healthcare services. This article is the second in a series of four looking at AAPs in mental healthcare services, focusing on the experiences of a group of AAPs now working towards their qualified AAP role. The challenge mental healthcare services face and the subsequent need for growing the workforce will be introduced in terms of the developments in the AAP's role. A small group of AAPs approaching completion of the foundation degree in health and social care (FdA H and SC) were voluntarily recruited to take part in filling out a questionnaire, followed by participation in a focus group. All participants work in mental healthcare services and consented to take part. They were asked to outline in the questionnaire how long they had worked in the service, alongside the specific area they specialise in. This was followed by a focus group, which explored their experiences of engaging in the AAP programme and how this affects their role and that of the wider team. They were asked to give their opinion on the development in their role, from the start of the programme up to the final stages of the apprenticeship.
In understanding the impact of apprentice assistant practitioners (AAPs) on mental healthcare services, it is important to understand the role of the practice trainer (PT). This article is the last in a series of four looking at AAPs in mental healthcare services. It will focus on the experiences of the PTs as they support AAPs working towards their qualified AAP role. The challenges faced by mental healthcare services and the role of the PT in supporting workforce development via the AAPs will be introduced. Semi-structured interviews were carried out on two PTs working in the north west of England and employed at the University of Bolton. Both participants work with AAPs employed in mental healthcare services and consented to take part. During the interview, the PTs were asked to outline how long they had worked in role, followed by an exploration into their experiences of supporting AAPs within mental healthcare services. The PTs were asked to give their opinion on the development of their role, throughout the programme, with particular reference to the restrictions and changes COVID-19 had made to their role.
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