Entering the Workplace
Proposal for a support group for
Newly qualified therapists in the North East:
2002/2003
- The need for a group to support newly qualified
therapists working in the North East was highlighted at
a recent training course where therapists were given
opportunities to discuss issues related to working with
different client groups, case discussions, sharing
resources, assessment and therapy ideas.
- Therapists, many of whom were newly qualified,
reported that these group discussions were very useful
in providing additional support to that already
received by their departments.
- Several therapists discussed the desire for further
opportunities for discussion and support from those
having similar experiences.
- This highlighted the need for a support group for
newly qualified therapists working in the North
East.
- A similar group is run in the Surrey/Sussex area
called PIGLETS (previously inexperienced graduates
learning everything together- slowly!). This group has
been successful in providing opportunities for
therapists to share experiences and learn from each
other.
Aims:
- To provide support to newly qualified therapists by
newly qualified therapists additional to that provided
by their own departments.
- These groups would include peer support, discussion
about experiences, caseloads, resources, therapy
techniques, training courses and other issues relevant
to the roles of newly qualified therapists.
- These groups would also provide therapists with
opportunities to make contacts with other speech and
language therapy departments and other therapists
working with similar client groups.
Who would attend:
- Newly qualified therapists in their first two years
of working, with the aim of providing continuity to the
group.
I propose to organise an initial group in January
2003.
- Meetings would last for one session, to allow for
travelling time.
- The meeting venue would be rotated around
departments in the North East.
- The frequency of the meetings would need to be
agreed.
- A chairperson and secretary would be appointed and
minutes would be circulated to all group members and
heads of departments.
- Agenda topics for subsequent meetings would be set
at the initial meeting.
- Some topic areas may require input from more
experienced therapists e.g. statement report
writing.
- Other Speech and Language Therapists would be
invited to meetings when appropriate.
Ruth Card
Speech and Language Therapist
North Durham and Chester le Street PCT
Speech and Language Therapy department
Stanley Health Centre
Clifford Road
Stanley
DH9 0XE
E-mail:
