COURSE OUTLINE

This module addresses a range of transferable professional and clinical skills, knowledge, values and attitudes relevant to speech and language therapy practice and promotes the integration of theory and practice, with particular reference to working with children/young people. Learning takes place both in college and on clinical placements.SLAN0003: Professional Studies 1 links closely to SLAN0004: Management of Communication Disorders 1: Language and Cognition; SLAN0005: Management of Communication Disorders 2: Speech and Hearing, and also to all other modules in year A, as it supports the integration of theory and practice.  It also has close links to a number of year B modules, particularly SLAN0008: Professional Studies 2.  This module is relevant to many of the Health and Care Professions Council’s ‘Standards of Proficiency’ for speech and language therapists.

AIMS 

To develop transferable professional and clinical knowledge, skills, values and attitudes required to meet the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for speech and language therapists
 To integrate the knowledge, understanding and skills developed in the other modules of the programme within practice settings
 To develop knowledge and understanding of the speech and language therapy profession and service and its relationship with other services
 To develop knowledge and understanding of ethical guidelines, professional codes of practice and the law relating to clinical practice
LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module the students will be able to do the following within the role of the speech and language therapist with children and young people:

Knowledge and understanding

evaluate and apply relevant professional guidelines, codes of conduct and the law;
 describe the impact of social, linguistic, cultural and environmental factors;
 describe how SLT services are commissioned, delivered and evaluated, within the context of education, health and social care services in the UK.
Skills

meet all relevant professional competencies as specified for Year A of the programme;
 devise and apply strategies to evaluate and adapt own practice and the practice of others in order to maximise professional effectiveness; 
 demonstrate an awareness of mutual respect, empowerment and partnership with children and young people with SLCNs, their relevant others and other professionals;
 apply appropriate clinical decision making to assessment, intervention and management;
 demonstrate emerging skills in professional leadership and caseload management; impart and share knowledge effectively.
These outcomes will be achieved through:

integration of theory with practice in clinical tutorials, practical workshops and work-based clinical placements;
 making links across modules;
 professional engagement in clinical tutorials, workshops, pre-clinical and clinical placements;
 guidance and professional formative feedback from tutors, peers and practice educators on all aspects of performance;
 students' management of their own learning, including reflection and recording of their developing skills, knowledge and understanding;
 guided reading, use of web-based resources and independent study to consolidate and supplement learning and to broaden knowledge and understanding of professional practice