How are we supporting physiotherapy support workers?

In the UK, approximately 15 per cent of the physiotherapy workforce consists of non-registered support staff.  

In my early career as a physiotherapist, a support worker welcomed me to the unit and shared their expertise. This meant so much to me, and meant I was able to offer the best to my patients. And it’s just one example of the countless ways support workers create a profound impact through their work. 

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for all healthcare staff, including support workers. CPD ensures that staff stay up to date with skills and knowledge to practice safely and effectively. It can take several forms: 

• Work-based learning (for example, reflecting on experiences, receiving feedback) 
• Professional activity (for example, involvement in a professional body or conferences) 
• Formal education (for example, courses or research) 
• Self-directed learning (for example, reading articles or books) 

In March-April, the CSP conducted an anonymous survey of 181 UK physiotherapy support workers to assess their access to CPD opportunities. Survey findings showed: 

• 76.1 per cent had regular in-house training
• 72.1 per cent had mentorship or career development discussions
• 66.3 per cent had time for CPD, while 25.8 per cent did not
• 33.5 per cent had funding for external courses, with 34.6 per cent lacking this support. 

These results highlight a gap in CPD access, particularly around funding for external development. This aligns with findings from the Cavendish Review Ten Years On, which reported that NHS support workers feel under-utilised and could contribute more with better learning opportunities. 

The CSP encourages all support workers to explore CPD activities that align with their learning needs. This isn't just formal courses; it can also include informal activities like team discussions, reflective practice, or peer mentoring. The CSP provides a platform for members to engage with CPD resources via the associates and support workers hub.  The mentoring platform is also available to CSP associate member.

Managers and team leaders should ensure support workers are aware of available CPD opportunities, funding options, and policies for study leave or external courses. One example where this has been done with great effect is the Higher Development Award being delivered in the Black Country ICB

By promoting access to CPD, teams can empower support workers to develop professionally, enhancing the quality of patient care across the physiotherapy sector. 

So now it’s over to you. What CPD are you going to explore? How are you going to enable and empower your teams to learn and grow?