Annual Report 2015 Speech Pathology Australia

2 Strategic Imperative PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS 2.1 Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) is the organisation that sets, monitors and regulates standards of speech pathology practice across the continuum – from entry level to advanced practice. 2.2 SPA sets and upholds recognised standards for self- regulation. 2.3 SPA sets the standards for ethical professional practice and supports members to be evidence-based in their practice. 2.4 SPA supports members to achieve excellence in professional standards.

Ms Karyn Johns

Professor Sharynne McLeod

Dr Janet Beilby

Awards and Recognition It was a year of achievement for a number of members of Speech Pathology Australia. Professor Sharynne McLeod was awarded a Speech Pathology Australia Life Member . Ms Karyn Johns was awarded the Speech Pathology Australia Elinor Wray Award . Dr Janet Beilby was awarded a Speech Pathology Australia Fellowship . The Wollongong Catholic Education Office was awarded the Speech Pathology Australia Community Based Innovation in Speech Pathology Award for its voice support program’s use of evidence-based strategies to prevent voice problems occurring with teachers through induction education, and early intervention strategies to reduce the impact of voice disorders on the teaching workforce, such as access to speech pathology sessions. Each year a prize is awarded to an article, published in the Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, which, in the preceding 12 months, is judged by the journal’s editorial committee to be of the highest research merit . In 2015, the prize was awarded to Dr Kathryn Crowe and Professor Sharynne McLeod for their article titled, ‘Communication choices: Translating research to practice for professionals working with children with hearing loss’. Ms Rachel Hull was awarded the prestigious 2014 HESTA Student of the Year Award. Ms Ruth Hartman and Ms Wesley Heights were awarded a Better Practice Award by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency. Strengthening Self-Regulation Recognition of the qualifications, standards and quality of members of the Association has continued to be strengthened through changes in the PSR program and alignment with the national standards for self-regulation, as adopted by the National Alliance of Self-Regulating Professions (NASRHP), of which SPA is an active member. In 2015, provisional PSR status was introduced for new graduate members, setting additional requirements that must be met before being eligible to transfer to full CPSP status. Communication with members throughout 2015 also occurred in advance of CPSP status being a requirement for practising membership of SPA as of 2016. In conjunction with NASRHP, advocacy also occurred to gain recognition, by Government and third party funders and providers of service, of the robust nature of self-regulation and member certified credentials as being comparable with statutory registration.

Dr Kathryn Crowe and Professor Sharynne McLeod receive their editorial committee award from JCPSLP Editor Dr David Trembath.

Continuing Professional Development

In 2015, there were a total of 64 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events, including 10 CPD live online events. The average ‘quality of presentation’ rating for Branch events was a very high 4.6 out of a maximum possible of 5. Total registration numbers were also at a record level, with 1240 registrations for Branch CPD events plus 1358 registrants for CPD live online events. Associate Professor Jane McCormack delivered a National Tour incorporating an online event and six workshops in various Branches on ‘Kids, communication and context: Providing holistic and evidence-based care to children with speech and language difficulties’. Monthly CPD live online events covered an array of clinical areas, presented by a number of highly experienced and respected speakers. The Ethics Education Package was accessed by 336 members and the Evidence-Based Practice Resource was accessed by 561 members. 173 items were hired from the CPD Events Library. The Association’s online (Facebook) Member Communities continued to grow, with an average of 603 members per group (up from 432 in 2014). The APPropriate Apps community had the highest number, with a record high of 1858 members (up from 1330 in 2014).

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2015 ANNUAL REPORT Speech Pathology Australia