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Executive Summary
This framework identifies the competencies upon which to focus education and training for those staff working in sexual and reproductive healthcare services fulfilling the role of sexual health adviser regardless of their professional background.
While it was developed specifically to support continuing professional development for sexual health advisers it may also have applicability to other health professionals involved in supporting patients diagnosed with an STI including nurses and health care assistants.
Importantly it provides a mechanism for quality assurance of the sexual health adviser workforce and can be used by individuals, managers of teams or services or by commissioners.
The framework defines four domains where competence is required each one covering a key aspect of sexual health advising practice. These are:
- Professional, ethical and legal practice
- Assessment, planning and delivery of care
- Public health role and responsibilities
- Personal and professional development
Introduction
This document sets out a competency framework for sexual health advisors (HAs) and is intended for use in healthcare settings where sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are managed. The framework aims to support individuals, services, managers and commissioners in the delivery and commissioning of high quality sexual health services and is applicable for use in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland.
Background
Sexual health advising is recognised in sexual health strategies across the UK as well as in Agenda for Change2 and sexual health advisers are currently employed in a range of settings including genitourinary medicine services (GUM), sexual and reproductive health services, community sexual health services and within the national chlamydia screening programme (CSP).
In 2008 the Society of Sexual Health Advisers, Unite the Union and the Department of Health published ‘Sexual Health Advising: Developing the Workforce’ 3 which attempted to provide guidance for not only sexual health advisers but academic institutions, strategic and public health leads and commissioners on the issues and arrangements for the education and preparation of sexual health advisers. Yet there remains no nationally recognised preparation programme for the role of sexual health advising.
Content
SSHA currently represents approximately 90% of all sexual health advisers in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This document has been produced by them in response to the challenges faced by individuals, service providers and commissioners in developing the competencies necessary to deliver high quality sexual health advising services.
The competencies should provide practitioners with a framework to support preparation for the sexual health advising role and services and commissioners with a framework to support the management of individuals and services.
Competency development
This competency framework document was developed by a small working group comprising the current SSHA President, SHHA Education Secretary and a former SSHA President.
Scoping and determining content
When determining the content of the competency framework the project team endeavoured to ensure that the competencies covered all areas of the sexual health advising role including the diagnosis and treatment of individuals and the public health responsibilities of the post. They do however acknowledge that all the competencies may not be relevant to an individual post.
The competency framework does not address:
- The skills, qualifications or professional background necessary to be employed as a sexual health adviser.
- Where sexual health advising roles are delivered. The competencies should be applicable regardless of the setting or employing organisation.
- How an individual, service or manager should use them in relation to the appraisal process.
- Current clinical guidance relating to the management of individual STIs.
Consultation
Following development of a draft framework the competencies underwent a period of consultation. In June 2011 they were reviewed by those attending the Annual Society of Sexual Health Advisers Conference in Cardiff and following amendments were made available on the SSHA website for public consultation between 1st November 2011 and the 31st January 2012. At this time all SSHA members were e mailed asking for comments. In addition the draft competency framework was sent to the British Association for Sexual Health & HIV (BASHH) and the Genito- Urinary Nurses Association (GUNA) as well as all sexual health networks throughout the UK. Feedback from the consultation was considered by the project group and this document contains agreed amendments.
The competencies
The competency framework is underpinned by the key principles of sexual health service provision in the UK which include those relating to confidentiality and access to free STI testing and treatment. In order to contextualise the competency framework relevant existing guidance is referenced and the document contains a bibliography which brings together a number of supporting documents.
The framework defines four domains where competence is required each one covering a key aspect of sexual health advising practice. These are:
- Professional, ethical and legal practice
- Assessment, planning and delivery of care
- Public health role and responsibilities
- Personal and professional development
Each domain contains specific competencies which underpin sexual health adviser practice based on broad public health principles including partner notification, sexually transmitted infection management, health promotion/risk reduction.
Application of the competencies
The competency framework was developed to support continuing professional development in sexual health advising. It may also be used to assist HAs working towards an academic award, however it should be remembered that the level and amount of any credit awarded for the achievement of competence is decided at the discretion of the awarding institution. The competency framework may also have applicability to other health professionals involved in supporting patients diagnosed with an STI including nurses and health care assistants.
The competency framework can be used by any individual, service or by commissioners. While not exhaustive the framework could be used in:
Assisting sexual health advisers wishing to:
- Identify skill gaps and take appropriate action to fill them.
- Plan the most effective way of achieving competence.
- Develop and record competence.
- Facilitate progress through the stages of competence.
- Evidence achievement of competence.
Supporting managers by:
- Enabling the development of detailed and standardised job descriptions that ensure practice is to common and agreed standards.
- Informing the appraisal process.
- Supporting personal and career development planning.
- Supporting continuing professional development initiatives.
Assisting the commissioning of services by:
- Articulating a set of competencies that have been reviewed across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
- Supporting setting of standards to improve the quality and equity of patient care.
- Informing development, delivery and commissioning of educational programmes
- Providing a mechanism for quality assurance in the sexual health adviser workforce.
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