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2015 ANNUAL REPORT Speech Pathology Australia
9
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).
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.
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.
Dr Kathryn Crowe and Professor Sharynne McLeod receive their
editorial committee award from JCPSLP Editor Dr David Trembath.
Ms Karyn Johns
Dr Janet Beilby
Professor Sharynne
McLeod
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.