Allied health professions (AHPs) form the third largest clinical workforce in the NHS and are professionally autonomous practitioners educated to at least degree level standard. They comprise of 14 different occupations. AHPs work across all areas of health and social care; supporting people from birth to end of life. They focus on the prevention of ill-health alongside improving health and wellbeing to maximise the potential for people to live full and active lives within their family circles, social networks, education/training settings and the workplace (Allied Health Professions Strategy for England, 2022-27).
Allied Health Professionals (AHP) play a key role within Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (DHCFT). Within Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust there we have Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Social Workers.
AHPs at Derbyshire Healthcare
Within Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust there are around 175 AHPs and nearly 50 social workers. We have AHP colleagues in the following occupations:
Dieticians
"Dietitians assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public-health level. They use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices." British Dietetic Association
To qualify as a dietitian you are required to undertake an approved programme at a university. All dietetic programmes are approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and may also apply for accreditation by The British Dietetic Association (www.bda.uk.com).
There are three types of programme available to qualify as a dietitian:
- Full-time undergraduate BSc (Hons) programme: these are either three or four years in length.
- Full-time postgraduate programme: these are two years in length and can either lead to a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in dietetics or a Masters (MSc) qualification in dietetics.
- Apprenticeship (see separate information below regarding the apprenticeship route)
Entry requirements for universities do vary, so we advise you to contact the universities directly for specific entry requirements.
Applicants must satisfy the following entry requirements for approved courses:
- Applicants will usually have qualifications in biology and chemistry at advanced level where students take A-levels or the national equivalent.
- Approved institutions may accept candidates with other qualifications of equivalent standard to those above e.g. International Baccalaureate, Access to Science, BTEC Diploma, and Foundation courses in Science.
- Candidates are usually expected to have GCSE at Grade C or above in English, mathematics and a science or equivalent qualifications.
For a postgraduate programme you will be required to have successfully completed an undergraduate degree which contains an acceptable level of human physiology and biochemistry.
A good command of spoken and written English is essential. All successful applicants will be required to undertake occupational health and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
Apprenticeship Route (not currently available at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Trust)
The dietetic degree apprenticeship is a route that will allow an individual to work as an apprentice in a dietetic setting with an income, as well as study at university to complete a dietetic degree programme.
All apprentices are employed by an employer; they are not learners. Apprentices are recruited by employers in close consultation with HEIs and will have a combination of lectures, practical learning and assessments at their university, as well as 1,000 hours of practice-based learning. Successful completion of the apprenticeship programme will enable application to the Health and Care Professions Council for registration to practise using the protected title ‘Dietitian’.
Coventry University began delivery of the first ever level 7 dietetic apprenticeship programme in December 2022.
Find out more about the course here and get contact details for the course provider on the GOV.UK website here.
Other dietetic apprenticeships at undergraduate and post graduate levels are in development and the BDA webpage (www.bda.uk.com) will be updated as soon as more information on these apprenticeship schemes becomes available.
They work in the NHS and in private clinics. They work with healthy and sick people in a variety of settings. They can work in the food industry, workplace, catering, education, sport and the media. Other care pathways they work in include mental health, learning disabilities, community, acute settings and public health.
They often work as integral members of multi-disciplinary teams to treat complex clinical conditions such as diabetes, food allergy and intolerance, IBS syndrome, eating disorders, chronic fatigue, malnutrition, kidney failure and bowel disorders. They advise and influence food and health policy across the spectrum from government, to local communities and individuals.
In Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, we currently have dietitians working within the following specialities:
- In-patient Mental Health
- Adult Eating Disorders
- CAMHS Eating Disorders
Our dietetic jobs are advertised on NHS Jobs (www.jobs.nhs.uk), Indeed (www.uk.indeed.com) and within our local networks.
For further information about the role of a dietitian and training routes, please refer to the British Dietetic Association website: www.bda.uk.com
There are opportunities available for shadowing. Please contact the work experience team in the first instance: dhcft.workexperience@nhs.net
For further information regarding returning to practice, refer to the BDA website: Returning to Practice | British Dietetic Association (BDA). Please contact us to see if we are able to support you with this process.
Occupational Therapists
"Occupational therapy helps you live your best life at home, at work – and everywhere else. It’s about being able to do the things you want and have to do. That could mean helping you overcome challenges learning at school, going to work, playing sport, or simply doing the dishes. Everything is focused on your wellbeing and your ability to participate in activities." Royal College of Occupational Therapists
Who’s who?
- Fiona Rushbrook – Occupational Therapy Lead and Professional Lead for Community, Children’s, Specialist, Adult Neurodevelopmental and Corporate services. Contact: email - fiona.rushbrook@nhs.net or tel: 07909 921195
- April Saunders - Occupational Therapy Lead for acute In-Patient Services, Older adults, Forensic and Rehabilitation. Contact: email - april.saunders@nhs.net or tel: 0717506475.
Occupational Therepists need a BSc or an MSc in Occupational Therapy and registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
Occupational Therapists (OTs) work in lots of different settings providing occupational therapy assessments and interventions with a wide range of people. Our OTs work in inpatient and community mental health care with adults and older adults, forensic and rehabilitation units, complex children’s therapy, child and adolescent mental health, perinatal services, crisis teams, eating disorders, learning disability services, talking therapies, education and training. There are lots of opportunities to use OT skills in all these different settings and network with OTs in all the teams to develop professionally. We also work with partner organisations in the community and across the Derbyshire system.
We advertise our vacancies on NHS jobs, TRAC jobs, Indeed and on social media (Twitter, Facebook and Linked In).
If you would like to talk over career options in Derbyshire Healthcare for Occupational Therapists, please contact dhcft.ahpandsocialwork@nhs.net
Yes, we provide shadowing opportunities for school children between 14 and 18, and work experience for people who have an interest in OT as a career once they have finished school.
Apprenticeships
We are also running the degree apprenticeship scheme provided by Sheffield Hallam University. You will currently need to work for us for 30 hours a week minimum in a support role, and the course takes just over 3 years to complete. For more information, please visit the Sheffield Hallam Website.
Please note: Tuition fees will be paid by DHcFT via the apprenticeship levy, however financial arrangements for any backfill needed will have to be negotiated with your line manager.
Yes, we run a return to practice programme and are always happy to support people back into our profession.
Physiotherapists
"Physiotherapists work with people to identify & maximise their ability to move & function. Functional movement is a key part of what it means to be healthy. This means that physiotherapy plays an important role in enabling people to improve their health, wellbeing, and quality of life." Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
‘Physiotherapist work in a variety of settings, inpatients, outpatients, schools and in the community. Our physiotherapists work in paediatrics, learning disabilities and mental health and work closely with neighbouring organisations. We are committed to leadership at all levels, and you will be supported to develop as an individual and part of a team. We have an individualised preceptorship programme for new graduates and CPD opportunities throughout your career.’
For Physiotherapy you need a BSc or MSc in a recognised Physiotherapy degree and when qualified, to become a member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Visit this Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) page for more information.
In
DHCFT we work in many different settings to provide SLT assessment and intervention to a wide range of people. SLT’s here work in inpatient mental health with adults and older adults; with people with intellectual disability and those who are neurodiverse.
There are lots of opportunities to use SLT skills in all these different settings and work with others in the multidisciplinary team and across services. We work with a wide range of partner organisations across the Derbyshire system. There are opportunities to develop professionally, source internal and external training and liaise with professional SLT networks.
Check out this webpage for more information about where SLTs can work.
We are very keen to provide work experience or shadowing opportunities wherever possible. Contact dhcft.workexperience@nhs.net if you are interested.
There is more general information here Back to work | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (csp.org.uk)
Apprenticeships
We currently have a physiotherapy apprenticeship in the Trust and is towards the end of the training and qualifying as physiotherapist. The degree apprenticeships are new to 2022/2023 in Physiotherapist and system wide offering at Sheffield Hallam University (Physiotherapy Degree Apprenticeship | Sheffield Hallam University (shu.ac.uk). We actively encourage and support staff to train through a degree apprenticeship. Staff on this course work for us for 30 hours a week minimum in a support role, and the course takes just over 3 years to complete. Physiotherapy apprenticeships | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (csp.org.uk)
Please note: Tuition fees will be paid by DHcFT via the apprenticeship levy, however financial arrangements for any backfill needed will have to be negotiated with your line manager
We would be keen to support someone to return to SLT practice. There is more general information here Return to practice overview | RCSLT
You can find all our AHP vacancies on the Trust website - Current vacancies :: Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (derbyshirehealthcarejobs.co.uk)
Speech and Language Therapists
"Speech and Language Therapists assess and treat speech, language and communication difficulties in people of all ages to help them communicate. They also assess, treat and develop personalised plans to support people who have eating and swallowing problems”. Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
For Speech and Language therapy (SLT) you need a BSc or MSc in a recognised Speech Therapy degree and when qualified, to become a member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Visit this Royal College of Speech Therapists (RCSLT) page for more information. Speech and Language Therapy University Courses | RCSLT. Become a speech and language therapist | RCSLT
There are posts in DHCFT for SLTs to work with people with intellectual disability and those who are neurodiverse, in inpatient mental health settings with adults and older adults; and with adults within the Forensic and Criminal Justice, Liaison and Diversion team.
There are lots of opportunities to use SLT skills in all these different settings and work with others in the multidisciplinary team and across services. We work with a wide range of partner organisations across the Derbyshire system. There are opportunities to develop professionally, source internal and external training and liaise with professional SLT networks.
Check out this webpage for more information about where SLTs can work.
You can find all our AHP vacancies on the Trust website - Current vacancies :: Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (derbyshirehealthcarejobs.co.uk)
We are very keen to provide work experience or shadowing opportunities wherever possible. Contact dhcft.workexperience@nhs.net if you are interested.
Apprenticeships
We actively encourage and support staff to train through a degree apprenticeship. There are a number of courses to choose from including those at Sheffield, Birmingham, and Lincolnshire universities. Staff on this course work for us for 30 hours a week minimum in a support role, and attend their courses one day a week. Courses takes around 4 years to complete. There is more information here Speech and language therapy apprenticeships | RCSLT
Please note: Tuition fees will be paid by DHcFT via the apprenticeship levy, however financial arrangements for any backfill needed will have to be negotiated with your line manager.
We would be keen to support someone to return to SLT practice. There is more general information here Return to practice overview | RCSLT
Social Workers
"Social workers aim to improve people’s lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights and wellbeing. Social workers protect children and adults with support needs from harm. From helping keep a family under pressure together to supporting someone with mental health problems, social work is a varied, demanding, often emotional and very rewarding career”. British Association of Social Workers
Social work has a distinctive contribution to make to the current challenges in care through its focus on the whole person in their social context and the significance of social networks to mental wellbeing. Social work often supports the NHS directly by linking the acute phase of someone’s journey with the larger (often public health) objectives that promote health. These include connecting people to the lives they want to live, and focusing on what matters to the individual in their journey to recovery. Inclusion, empowerment, and strength-based practice is the core of our professional skill. This helps us to address the social determinants of health- which are so important- and our mix of legal, practice, and academic knowledge that we bring to the NHS is vital. The new NHS Long Term Plan also asks for new ways of working with people that are co-produced and highly personalised, which is exactly how we are trained to work. It is these skills that make social workers so useful in the NHS.
Useful links for more information about Social work.
There are many routes into social work, which range from apprenticeships to Masters level entry. Entry to the profession is regulated by Social Work England, who accredit courses and match non-UK qualifications against their professional standards. Once they are satisfied that you have undertaken the appropriate training, they can enter you onto the professional register. Click the link to find out more about Social Work England: Home - Social Work England
Social work happens everywhere. It is most commonly thought of as the work that happens in statutory local authority teams, where care packages are made and reviewed. It also has a large role within the criminal justice system, social enterprise, and of course, the NHS. Social work therefore can be very varied. You may have heard about child protection teams, but within the mental health arm of the NHS we work in therapy services, community and ward teams, forensic services, crisis intervention, hospital discharge, and many other roles. We also work across all ages, and all forms of diagnosis or neurodevelopmental need. A common role in mental healthcare is that of a “mental health practitioner”. These roles tend to offer planned therapeutic contact over a set period of time. The advantages these roles is that they bring professional diversity into teams, and a cultural view of the world that compliments medical approaches. They support recovery, choice, and personalisation. Social work also has a strong focus on rights- based practice, and helps healthcare teams meet the larger public health level aims of policy within a local team. Some of these aims include inclusion into communities of choice, building up supportive and resilient networks, and of course, safeguarding people from abuse. In short, social work connects people to the things that matter to them. This link may show a broader view: What we do (basw.co.uk)
You can find all our AHP vacancies on the Trust website - Current vacancies :: Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (derbyshirehealthcarejobs.co.uk)
We are very keen to provide work experience or shadowing opportunities wherever possible. Contact dhcft.workexperience@nhs.net if you are interested.
Return to practice is possible and is governed by Social Work England. There are many things to consider and no formal programme to follow, so please see the Social Work England advice on this topic: SWE: Apply for restoration to the register