The SoR has launched an online hub supporting the developmental needs of radiography clinical support workers and assistant practitioners (SWAPs) and those who work with them.
Promising to be a ‘one stop shop’ for all resources needed to recruit, manage, train, develop and effectively deploy this important part of the workforce, the hub was commissioned and funded by NHS England.
Resources include guidance on delegation and supervision, roles and responsibilities, model business cases and recruitment advice, as well as information and links to all occupationally relevant learning available for SWAPs – such as the Care Certificate, e-learning for health modules, apprenticeships and the Higher Development Award.
'The first of its kind'
Research suggests SWAPs can sometimes experience barriers to their full deployment and career progression. A 2024 survey conducted by the SoR found that while SWAPs value their work (with nine in 10 saying they felt ‘enthusiastic’ about their job), 73 per cent believed they had the potential to contribute more to service delivery.
Sue Johnson, SoR professional officer and project lead, said: “We know that services investing in their unregistered workforce benefit in numerous ways, notably through improved patient flow, continuity of care, heightened patient satisfaction and the freeing up of registered staff time.
“Appropriately trained and supervised SWAPs can undertake non-complex projection radiography, fluoroscopy or DXA/CT/MR/NM scans, perform clinical tasks such as cannulation, or support students, apprentices and young people on work experience placements.
“In recent years, the SoR has collaborated with the profession and stakeholders to create the resources needed to help all services, and those who utilise them, benefit from the contributions made by SWAPs. The hub consolidates these resources in one location. It is the first of its kind.”
'Brilliant suite of resources'
The hub is divided into four areas:
- Clinical practice
- Recruitment and retention
- Education and training
- Governance
General information relevant to the workforce can also be found, with a summary of recent academic research and other relevant strategies – such as NHS England’s allied health professions’ support workforce strategy and the Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development cancer workforce programme.
Since its inception in 2021, the project has been guided by a profession-led expert group that has grown to around 120 members.
Kate Knapp-Tabbernor, a radiographer, expert group member and South West London AHP education and workforce lead, says: “It’s been hugely rewarding being part of the expert group – working in collaboration with like-minded colleagues and offering steer and expertise towards the development of the brilliant new suite of resources available in the online hub to enable and empower our incredible support workforce in their roles.”
'A community of practice'
Sue added: “The society will continue to champion the needs of all its members, including those of the supportive and assistive workforce. We hope the hub will help services maximise SWAP’s contribution as well as allowing staff to plan their careers, identify their developmental needs and have rewarding careers.
“Getting this right will benefit service users. The SoR is encouraging SWAPs who are not members to join; we plan to continue building these resources, develop a dedicated network and evolve the expert group into a community of practice.”
Access the online hub here.
(Image: (L-R) Penny Owens, Sue Johnson, Richard Griffin and John Gale)