Education Working Group Development of an Education and Training Programme Ed Passant

Education Working Group Structure Ed Passant – Chair of group Isabel Coe – Centre Manager Adrian Dobson – Centre Manager Colin Barnett – Centre Manager Paula Quinn – Information Officer Debbie Murgatroyd OT – Driving Adviser Ron Spence DSA ADI – Driving Adviser Gary Jones DSA ADI – Driving Adviser

Group changes Colin Barnett Ed Passant Liz Whiteman Jean Bish Yvonne Brown

Aims of the education working group Key Aspects To develop and implement a training system to address the varying needs of staff within Forum accredited mobility centres. To explore and develop a professional qualification for Driving Advisers

Review of the education process The role of the Driving Adviser (core competencies) The need for a validated professional qualification for Driving Advisers. Future training options.

The Context Skills development within the assessment field Quality assurance/consistency of outcome Need to link competency of staff to the accreditation process Improvement in standards across sector

The need for training and education The diverse role of the Driving Adviser Most Driving Advisers are either Occupational Therapists or Driving Instructors. Are we equipped with the necessary skills?

Core competencies of a Driving Adviser Understanding of the musculo-skeletal system. Understanding of the central and peripheral nervous system. Understanding vision as it relates to driving. Understanding cognition as it relates to driving. Understanding vehicle control solutions. Understanding vehicle design.

Core competencies of a Driving Adviser Understanding ergonomic principles. Understanding “normal” driver behaviour. Measuring on-road driver performance. Managing on-road risk during assessment.

A review of training options Driving Standards Agency week intensive training to administer a “standardised” process. Training within Europe, Australia and America – various approaches taken. Previous Forum education programme – low uptake, not flexible, not supported by member centres, administration difficulties. Forum short courses – valuable complementary training but not an alternative. No independent validation, no measure of learning outcomes.

Outcome of Review There is an essential need for a validated professional qualification for Driving Advisers. Any future education programme must be meaningful, academically endorsed, flexible and achievable by all staff working within driver assessment. The future training programme must be implemented in conjunction with a standardised assessment process and a more relevant accreditation process.

The proposed future of our training A validated academic and practical approach to study. A 3 stage approach to qualification. Compulsory element of training for all Driving Advisers.

Problems with the “Greenwich” Course Volumes Course Content Dependence on key individuals as tutors Marketing to wider industry Administrative problems

New Model Based on a Competency framework Many competencies not specific to our sector - we just concentrate on those that are. Up to 50% of content can be credited via schemes, such as APEL - experiential learning Local delivery Flexible

New Model Three possible qualifications: Foundation degree Honours Degree Diploma

Next Steps Work on Core Competencies Negotiations with potential academic partner Seek Funding BUT FIRST - A MANDATE FROM THE AGM