There is nothing more important than motivated, happy team working well together.
The ACCEND Framework lays out the essential Cancer Competencies in Practice (CiPs) and an educational structure tailored to each stage of professional development within the cancer care career path. Its goal is to facilitate the delivery of safe and efficient cancer care that aligns with the four pillars of professional practice.
This self-assessment tool empowers practitioners to gauge their knowledge, comprehension, and proficiency levels. It facilitates the identification of evidence showcasing the attainment of these competencies and pinpoints any areas necessitating ongoing professional development. The ultimate outcome is an action plan that not only addresses current roles but also paves the way for future career aspirations. In essence, it's a dynamic tool that fosters growth and excellence within the realm of cancer care.
How to use the SSCA ACCEND Framework Portfolio
The primary objective of this portfolio is to provide practitioners with a centralised platform for documenting their formal education, hands-on experience, and ongoing professional development. It serves as a comprehensive tool for practitioners to reflect holistically on their journey, aligning their accomplishments with the Cancer Competencies in Practice (CiPs) outlined in the ACCEND Framework. When a CiP has been attained through formal education, it is entirely appropriate to explicitly state its acquisition through the relevant course, e.g., "gained through (insert course name)." In instances where a gap in knowledge or experience is discerned, the portfolio becomes a catalyst for action. Practitioners can construct targeted action plans aimed at filling these gaps, thereby advancing toward higher levels of practice. This approach ensures a proactive and strategic approach to professional development, fostering continuous improvement within the practitioner's career trajectory. 1
Capabilities in Practice and Education Framework
This Career Pathway, Core Cancer Capabilities in Practice and Education Framework for the Nursing and Allied Health Professions Workforce (the ‘Framework’) has been developed as part of a UK wide programme called the Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme (ACCEND). The ACCEND programme aims to provide transformational reform for the career pathways and associated education, training, learning and development opportunities for the workforce providing care to people affected by cancer.
Purpose of the Framework
To support the development of the workforce providing care to people affected by cancer by providing guidance on:
- routes to working and career progression in cancer care
- the core cancer related knowledge and capabilities in practice for pre-registration nursing and allied health professions providing general cancer care and specialist services/roles across the UK nations
- the range of learning, development, training and education opportunities to meet the requirements and aspirations of the cancer workforce
- enabling and supporting employers and systems to deliver high quality services to people affected by cancer by supporting workforce transformation
Structure of the Framework
The framework is made up of three components, a career pathway component, a core cancer-specific capabilities in practice component and an education framework component. Combined, these components support practitioners at all levels of the career pathway to develop the core knowledge, skills and behaviours to care for people affected by cancer.
