Professional Standards |
Professionals are trained to broad criteria laid out within the Sensory Services National Occupational Standards (NOS). The NOS were published in 2008 by Skills for Care and are available here https://socialcare.wales/nos-areas/sensory-services
Four of the eleven standards relate directly to rehabilitation/habilitation work and working with deafblind people. Standard nine is the most relevant to defining the skill-set of rehabilitation and habilitation work.
Professional Standards - rehabilitation The knowledge, skills and behaviours specified in the government's Apprenticeship Standard underpin qualification to become a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist. Professional Standards - habilitation The Quality Standards: Delivery of Habilitation Training (Mobility and Independent Living Skills) for Children and Young People with Visual Impairment underpin the qualification to become a Habilitation Specialist. |
Standards
Qualification courses base the content of their courses on the 2008 Sensory Services National Occupational Standards. All registrants must adhere to RWPN Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and undertake mandatory CPD.
RWPN Practice Guidance for Qualified Professionals Vision Rehabilitation and Habilitation professional risk matrix This matrix is designed to highlight the hazards and proposed safeguards linked to various areas of professional practice contained within the two disciplines. It is essential to understanding why employing unqualified or unregistered professionals pose a risk to our clients. Newly Qualified & New Starter Guidance For an example of specific local authority guidance for newly qualified VRS look at this policy form Bridgend County Borough Council in Wales. Professional progression For an example of a local authority progression route, post qualification this policy for VRS staff within Oxfordshire County Council may be of interest. Guidance: The Role of Sensory Assistant/Assistant Rehabilitation Officer This guidance is to help managers and their teams reach sound and safe conclusions about how services can be delivered using this supporting role, alongside qualified professionals. Driving and CVI Guidance on what to do when being aware of a certified/registered individual who is driving Peer Review Guidance for use in peer group case-work discussions Peer Review Reflective Learning Statement CVI registration card guidance Mobility Scooters The use of mobility scooters by sight-impaired people can create professional dilemmas for the workforce and it is not a clear-cut issue. We are grateful to Sight Scotland Veterans for permission to share this information leaflet that they have prepared and which sets out some considerations for the client. Considering getting a mobility scooter (1).docx |
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements
RWPN's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the National Occupational Standards require that professionals demonstrate continued learning in their professional practice. To do this we require that registrants document and submit, when required, CPD under a formal scheme CPD.
The document RWPN CPD scheme description provides an outline description of the requirements, examples of what might make for good CPD, how we encourage reflective practice and guidance on how we monitor and assess portfolios.
Guidance for managers and commissioners on statutory service provision
Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) Statement on Vision Rehabilitation
RNIB 10 Principles of Good Practice in Vision Rehabilitation
The Visual Impairment Benchmarking Summary Report, published by the Welsh Local Government Association was intended to: develop service and practice standards that can be recommended nationally; and help local government understand current levels of capacity and provide evidence of service impact and outcomes. As part of the project four good practice guides were published. Number 3 relates directly to Rehabilitation.
Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
To be a deemed as a competent professional, registrants need a combination of knowledge, skills and behaviours. These are learned through the qualification process and subsequently by undertaking continuing professional development. However, these elements alone are not necessarily enough to make you a good or safe professional. RWPN's Rehabilitation Worker Code of Ethics provides our members and registrants with a framework for promoting and maintaining good and safe professional behaviour and practice.
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