The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

Education Resources

Educator Workforce Resources

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BAPO Learner Hub

BAPO Ran Short Courses



Around 15% of the population is estimated to have a neurodevelopmental difference, such as ADHD, dyslexia, or autism. This number tends to be significantly higher in industries that champion creativity and lateral thinking – such as P&O. 
This virtual webinar offers an introduction to the topic of neurodiversity, from a neurodivergent perspective.

It explores the most common neurodivergent conditions and seeks to explain why we think, feel, and act the way we do. It looks at practical, holistic ways to accommodate and work with neurodivergent traits – not just for neurodivergent patients, but for neurodivergent staff and other stakeholders too.

This will be followed by a discussion on the NHS England project, what inclusive design looks like in higher education and how this can be applied in Prosthetic and Orthotic placement settings and the workplace to provide equity and inclusion for Disabled people. 

This course will be useful for Placement Educators, Managers, Service Leads in P+O and the wider AHP community, Clinical staff, and anyone wanting to learn more about neurodiversity, inclusive design, and Disability in the workplace.

For information on this course, contact enquiries@bapo.com

Tabby Heely

BAPO Clinical Standards Officer

Tabby graduated from the University of Salford in 2017 and began her career working as a prosthetist across the West Midlands and North Wales. Tabby is a Clinical Skills Tutor at the University of Salford and has also taken on the Clinical Standards Officer role within BAPO. She continues to enjoy practising prosthetics as an NHS prosthetist one day a week in Wrexham.

Tabby is openly autistic, and has a special interest in neurodiversity; through her work with the University and with BAPO, she hopes to challenge perceptions of autistic people both within our profession and in the wider world.

    Gemma Cassidy

    BAPO EDI Lead

    I gained my qualification in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Salford University in 2004. I have worked as an Orthotist for NHS trusts and private companies in the public and private sectors. I gained my diploma in Hypnotherapy and Advanced Psychotherapy in 2013. My interests lie within P+O, the impact of AHP’s in the healthcare space, in addition to health psychology and health inequalities. I am proud to be a member of the P+O community. I am the BAPO EDI lead, I aim to contribute to a holistic and equitable culture in P+O.

    Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-cassidy-9a49a16a 
    Facebook: Compass health, Orthotics and Counselling | Facebook
    Twitter: @gemmacassidyba1

      Lilit Movisisyan

      Account Management LeadDiversity and Ability (D&A)

      Lilit is an amputee (who has the pleasure of using both prosthetic and orthotic devices!). She will share her lived experience and insights into inclusive practice in healthcare, education, and the workplace. Diversity and Ability is an award-winning social enterprise led by and for disabled people. We champion intersectional neurodiversity and disability inclusion, creating positive and lasting culture shifts through bespoke technology, workshops, consultancy, and support. Lilit is a lead Account Manager at Diversity and Ability (D&A), responsible for supporting organisations such as the NHS and Transport for London to remove barriers and create inclusive environments. Her role includes managing AXS Passport, our free digital tool for sharing access needs.

      LinkedIn (Diversity and Ability)
      Twitter (@DandA_Inclusion)
      Instagram (@diversity_and_ability)
      YouTube (Diversity and Ability)
      Facebook (@dnamatters)

         

        Other

        Virtual Assessment

        DEBOP

        Links to the Directory of evidence-based practice and its individual nodes

        Career and Education Guides

        BAPO Careers Development Framework for Prosthetists and Orthotists

        This framework is written for the prosthetic and orthotic workforce, both the regulated and non-regulated sectors, from support workers and technicians to consultants and Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP).

        Funding to develop this resource has been provided to support the NHS and its workforce.
        However, because of the unique commissioning of service provision for P&O, any guidance must also extend to the industry and commercial sector, which partners with the NHS to provide prosthetic and orthotic services to NHS patients.

        The framework could be used by individuals and organisations, team leads, and managers who wish to support and engage with career development. It is not prescriptive, nor does it favour a single model of career development.

        It favours a growth-based approach to careers that may be hierarchical or heterarchical, and so applies to a diverse range of groups and individuals as well as to different organisational structures.
        Prosthetists and Orthotists Preceptorship Guide 

        A guide to improving confidence and enhancing competence following professional registration.
        2022-joint-principles-for-cpd-and-lifelong-learningDownload
        BAPO Curriculum Guidance for the pre-registration education of prosthetists and orthotists

        This is the first publication of Curriculum guidance for the pre-registration education of prosthetists and orthotists. It was written as part of a programme of work by the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) funded by NHS England (formerly Health Education England) as part of a wider Allied Health Professions (AHPs) initiative to identify workforce reform priorities for the 21st century relating to the prosthetics and orthotics occupations. It is part of the programme area “AHP modernisation and reform” which also covers modernising the career framework to optimise the professional body and the profession’s engagement in advancing practice and clinical academic careers.
        BAPO Early career guidance framework for prosthetics and orthotics

        Welcome to the Prosthetics and Orthotics Early Career Guidance Framework, a
        comprehensive resource designed to help enhance the support made available to newly
        qualified practitioners as they navigate the transition from university to the workforce.
        The framework has been developed in response to the identified need to more effectively
        support preparedness among early career professionals, to help them build strong
        professional foundations and to go on to enjoy productive and fulfilling careers.

        It is crucial that we invest in the development of a capable and resilient workforce to
        better meet the needs of patients and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape. A
        recent workforce survey highlighted the contemporary career expectations of students
        and newly qualified professionals, which underline the need for ongoing support to
        improve workforce retention in prosthetics and orthotics
        BAPO Advanced Practice in Prosthetics and Orthotics-Updated July 2024Download
        BAPO Leadership programme

        We also have some introduction presentations available to view:

        BAPO Introduction to gait for support workers

        BAPO Introduction to lower limb orthoses for support workers

        BAPO Introduction to lower limb prosthetics for support workers

        BAPO Introduction to upper limb orthoses for support workers

        BAPO Introduction to upper limb prosthetics for support workers

        BAPO Practice-Based Learning Framework