Student Satisfaction with Work-based Learning: Evaluation of a Foundation Degree Health & Social Care Programme

This paper presents findings from an evaluation of student satisfaction with work-based learning as experienced by 57 Foundation degree (Fd) Health & Social Care students. The study participants were all employed by the National Health Service (NHS) in a range of clinical settings in the English Midlands. Three cohorts of students completed a questionnaire which sought to uncover the individual circumstances, behaviour, attitudes and beliefs of work-based learners. Students undertaking the acute care, long-term conditions, children and mental health study pathways were supported by a workplace mentor and assessor, while students studying the diagnostic radiography, radiotherapy and mammography pathways had their work-based learning supported by a clinical learning facilitator (CLF). Most of the participants were undertaking the Fd to make the transition from radiography helper or healthcare assistant (HCA) to assistant practitioner (AP). The findings distinguish the individual circumstances of students in the context of their study pathways and on the basis of their contracted hours and the role that they hoped to fill on completion of the programme. Student behaviour was characterised by the regularity with which students worked with their mentors, assessors or CLFs and their engagement in a range of work-based learning activities including practice-based assessments, knowledge and skills acquisition and, with particular regard to radiography students, the learning of new procedures. Although the level of student satisfaction with work-based learning was high, several participants perceived that their colleagues seemed reluctant to recognise them as students in their own right and lacked an awareness of the role of the AP. Participants believed that their confidence had increased and that they were playing a greater role in their clinical teams as a result of gaining knowledge and skills that had helped them to engage in new ways of working

Protecting local Government Public Health Policy from vested interests

Background and challenges to implementation Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control states that “in setting and implementing public health policies with respect to tobacco control, parties shall act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with national law”. The guidelines are applicable to government officials, representatives and employees of any national, state, provincial, municipal, local or other public institution. The new Tobacco Control Plan for England states the government will continue to uphold its obligation under the FCTC. Local authorities are also responsible for meeting the treaty obligations. Intervention or response The Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre (TCCC) and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) worked with local areas to map key departments that fall under the remit of Article 5.3, then review their activities and policies for compliance with Article 5.3 and its guidelines. They used this audit to develop a strategy that will protect their public health policy from the vested interests of the tobacco industry. Results and lessons learnt ASH and TCCC have built a toolkit to support local government to protect public health policy. The workshop will: Make the case for local government to implement/amend policies in line with Article 5.3 Discuss the approach needed to embed policies in line with Article 5.3 in local government setting and explore ways of addressing the challenges that emerge Present materials designed to support this process. Include a short case study from a local authority who piloted the materials. Conclusions and key recommendations Embedding policies which protect tobacco policy from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry at every level of government is an important part of ensuring strong delivery of tobacco control across the whole of government. Local administration face particular pressures and challenges that need to be addressed through this process

Proxy purchasing - a project to determine the awareness of the public in England of a new offence and improve practice

Background and challenges to implementation The introduction of an offence for proxy purchasing of tobacco in England in 2015 was well received as a means of tackling the supply of tobacco to young people. The offence of a proxy purchase is committed by the adult that buys the tobacco product on behalf of the young person under 18 years, not the retailer that sells the product. It is not a straightforward matter for Regulatory Services to investigate or to take enforcement action on. Little data was available to indicate the scale of the problem or how aware adults were of the offence. Intervention or response The project gathered insights around knowledge of the law regarding proxy purchasing; how behaviours had changed; how awareness and compliance could be improved and how communities can be encouraged to support compliance. Insight gathering was carried out systematically in two geographic areas among selected groups of the population. This method was positively received and generated additional information on other related issues. Results and lessons learnt The results revealed that the term a proxy purchase was not recognised by the great majority of participants; the majority of participants had experienced young people asking an adult to purchase cigarettes; proxy purchasing was seen very negatively but legislation was generally not the reason why people would not proxy purchase. It was widely recognised that proxy purchasing was only one way young people obtain tobacco. There was discussion with those interviewed about the relative risks of the ways young people obtain tobacco. Participants identified a variety of ways of informing local communities. Including targeting specific groups to ensure that individuals received relevant information in appropriate formats. Conclusions and key recommendations When planning future actions to ensure compliance with the proxy purchasing legislation, consideration must be given to the likelihood of any unintended consequences

Supporting young women to have smokefree pregnancies - BabyBe Smokefree

Background and challenges to implementation Given the damage that tobacco smoke can have on the unborn child and the high associated costs, it is critical that rates of smoking in pregnancy are reduced. Current pathways for supporting pregnant smokers are not meeting the needs of some of the youngest and most vulnerable women as evidenced by the low rate of uptake of support and the high rate of young women who smoke throughout their pregnancy. Intervention or response Two insight-driven projects were undertaken in three diverse areas across England. The intervention was to facilitate a better understanding of young women drivers and barriers to changing behaviour and develop asset-based approaches which encourage and enable young women aged between 16 and 24 to have pregnancies that are free from tobacco use. Results and lessons learnt The projects provided a better understanding of: · Their experiences of being pregnant and of smoking during pregnancy. · The real barriers to quitting. · What or who they would turn to if they wanted support and how they want to quit. · Their expectations of health professionals. · What information they want, how and from whom. · Trusted messengers - who they want to trust and when/why they can't · Influences on choice. · View to risk and how it's measured. · Clear thoughts on what would work and outline of the delivered intervention. Conclusions and key recommendations An insights driven approach can: · Positively impact on the commissioning and provision of evidence based support for young vulnerable women · Influence the design of interventions and professional practice to better meet the needs of target populations

Informing school sex education using the stages of change construct: sexual behaviour and attitudes towards sexual activity and condom use of children aged 13-16 in England

A survey of 3820 school children in England aged 13-16 years examined sexual activity using the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) Stages of Change. A quarter (26%) of teens were sexually experienced, 44.8 per cent did not use contraception and 48.9 per cent did not use condoms, every time. Past history of condom and contraceptive use, and partner willingness to use condoms were the best predictors of being in Action or Maintenance stage for condom use. Of virgins, 19.82 per cent were in Contemplation or Preparation stages for intercourse, and 85.4 per cent would use condoms every time. Sex education should be tailored to Stage, and signposting to sexual health and contraception services. Copyright © 2007 SAGE Publications