Speak Out
December 2014
11
SPOTLIGHT ON
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Mentoring update
First off,
a big thank you to those of you who registered
as mentors after reading the October
Speak Out
. We now
have mentors available in nearly all states, although we
will need many more as students begin to graduate, find
employment and discover they need more support.
As the year draws to a close we have tallied 41 mentoring
partnerships this year. Increased success of partnerships
has been observed, in terms of ongoing regular contact
between mentee and mentor, relative to other years, due
to the new more mentee driven processes in place for
establishing partnerships.
Evaluations of the program will be sent out to participants
as they reach the 12 month mark, although partnerships
may continue beyond this point if they are still meeting the
needs of the mentee and mentor.
We are anticipating increased uptake of the mentoring
program with the introduction of Provisional Certified
Practicing Speech Pathologist status, so please consider
mentoring as a form of professional development for
yourself in 2015.
Mentoring – Not just
for new graduates
While many new grads take up the opportunity of some
extra professional support through joining the mentoring
program, more experienced speech pathologists can
also benefit from mentoring both as mentees and
mentors. Speech pathologists who have worked for
several years and are now:
•
relocating;
•
changing field of practice;
•
new to a senior role; and/or
•
undertaking a research project.
can benefit from the support of a mentor who has skills,
experience and local knowledge in the desired location
and field of practice.
It’s also important to remember that mentors gain
much themselves, through participating in mentoring
partnerships including:
•
increased confidence;
•
reduced professional isolation for sole therapists;
•
new knowledge of resources, practices and work
places which the mentee shares;
•
sense of contribution and giving back to the profession.
To join the mentoring program, as either a mentee or
mentor, please go to the Mentoring Program webpage:
For any
queries regarding professional support (supervision and
mentoring) please don’t hesitate to get in touch –
Meredith Prain
Professional Support Advisor
The final Board
meeting for 2014 was held on the 14–15
November 2014. An important component of the meeting was the
review and approval of the Association’s Budget for 2015. A range
of budget proposals for the operational and strategic activities of
the Association were presented for consideration, with the Board
accepting the final budget, following some amendments. Aged
care, disability, data governance, website re-development and
supporting enhancements to professional development delivery
are just some of the key strategic focuses included within the 2015
budget. Further information on these important strategic activities
will be communicated with members over the coming year.
Some further highlights from the meeting include:
•
The Board agreed to maintain active involvement in the
International Communication Project
into 2015 and
beyond. Strategic Goals and Key international collaborations
for the project are currently under consideration by the
International Strategic Advisory Group and Working Party.
•
It was noted that a range of meetings have been established
with Ministers, Shadow Ministers and Ministerial Advisors
following the release of the
Senate Inquiry
into the
prevalence of different types of speech, language and
communication disorders and speech pathology services in
Australia report and associated recommendations. The main
aim of these meetings is to secure a positive Government
commitment to the Senate Report’s recommendations.
•
Advocacy priorities
have been determined for the ensuing
period, bearing in mind the Senate Inquiry and key areas
of required lobby. These include:
Aged Care, Disability,
Primary Health Networks, School-aged services, and
Data improvements and governance
.
•
The Association continues to lobby, on behalf of the
profession, for inclusion within the
National Registration
and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS)
for Health Professions,
with a further submission put forward for consideration within
the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council Review of
the scheme. A report on the review of NRAS has not been
released at this time.
•
2015 will see significant work undertaken in relation to
development of
Models for Clinical Education, Models
of Professional Development
and the profession’s
2025
Blueprint
, and has been supported by budget approvals.
•
Investment Strategies
and the
National Office premises
were carefully considered, with the input of a financial services
consultant, with the current premises unable to cater for an
expanding level of staff required to meet the needs of the
membership. Re-location options were discussed.
•
Methods of highlighting and celebrating Speech Pathology
Australia’s
Award Recipients
were discussed, with a range
of ideas proposed for 2015.
•
The Board noted the high level of positive feedback being
received from the membership in relation to
CPDLive
Events
. These events will continue to run through 2015.
The next Board meeting will be held in February 2015.
Board Meeting Report
