North West Faculty for Advancing Practice
May 2026 update
For further information about the Faculty and the Centre for Advancing Practice please have a look at our page on the website.
Faculty News and Updates
Reminder that Late submissions is open for funding applications
NHSE Faculty for Advancing Practice across the North West were pleased to announce in April's update the launch of the late submission funding application process to support the educational training funding for MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Autumn 2026 and Spring 27 cohorts.
The deadline for late submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 3 June 2026 and the outcome of the process will be sent to organisations as soon as possible and no later than the end of June 2026.
New HCPC resources to support advanced levels of practice
The HCPC has released a new suite of resources to support registrants, managers and leaders working at advanced levels of practice. Commissioned by NHS England and developed with the General Osteopathic Council, the resources provide clarity on how existing HCPC standards apply at advanced‑level roles, with a particular focus on scope of practice, supervision and delegation. They include a shared regulatory update, reflective tools, new and enhanced web content, recorded webinars and CPD materials.
Call for examples of effective community based supervision
As part of ongoing work exploring the shift of advanced practice roles and training from acute hospital settings into community environments, we are keen to learn from what is already working well across the system.
We would welcome examples of novel, effective or successful models of supervision in community settings, including primary care, neighbourhood services, virtual or integrated teams. This might include creative approaches to clinical, educational or professional supervision, use of multiprofessional supervisors, innovative use of technology, or ways supervision has been adapted to support autonomy and complexity outside traditional hospital models. Please share any examples, learning or reflections, formal or informal, as they will help shape future thinking and guidance.
Examples can be sent to sarah.henry22@nhs.net or we can arrange a Teams meeting to discuss these models.
Conferences, webinars and study days
Centre for Advancing Practice Masterclass Series
Shaping the Future of Advanced Practice: The Power of Job Planning
This masterclass explores how effective job planning can support professional development, strengthen service delivery and embed the four pillars of advanced practice – clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research – into everyday working patterns. Drawing on national guidance, emerging regional work and early trainee engagement findings, the session will examine practical approaches such as weekly activity mapping, supporting workplace learning and using job plans in appraisal and service development conversations. Designed for practitioners, educators and leaders alike, this session will build confidence in using job planning as a sustainable tool for workforce development.
Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
Time: 12:30 to 13:15
You can register for any of the Masterclasses via our website
Regional lunch and learn webinar – speech and language therapy for children and young people
NHS England are pleased to offer a lunchtime webinar focusing on national and regional priorities for speech and language therapy for children and young people in the north west.
Date: Thursday 14 May 2026
Time: 12:30 – 13:30
This is available to register on Teams (places must be booked in advance via this link)
This builds on regional NHS 90 Day Challenge work to reduce long waiting times for children and young people started in 2025, and supports the government white paper on Every child achieving and thriving
Speakers will include:
Julie Dunning, Health Improvement Manager, North West Region, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care
Kelly Taylor, Head of Children & Young People Programme, NHS England – North West
Steve Tolan, Deputy Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, NHS England
Caroline Wright, Senior Policy Manager (Children & Young People), Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
This session will be relevant to health and education services, including:
Commissioners of children’s services and/or speech and language therapy
Providers of paediatric and SLT services
Chief AHPs and professional SLT leads.
There will also be an opportunity for questions to the speakers, plus additional links and resources to support the session.
Research funding and engagement opportunities
The Academy of Advanced Practice Research UK (AAPR-UK)
The Academy of Advanced Practice Research UK (AAPR-UK) is an emerging, independent, multi-professional initiative with a clear ambition: to strengthen and embed research as a core pillar of advanced practice across the United Kingdom with global collaboration. Established to provide a coordinated, national and international approach, the Academy is bringing together clinicians, researchers, educators, policymakers, and, crucially, patients and the public to shape a more evidence-informed future for advanced practice.
Despite operating without dedicated funding, the Academy has already begun building momentum. While research is one of the four pillars, it is often the area where practitioners feel least confident. AAPR-UK aims to change that by creating a supportive, collaborative environment where research is not seen as an optional extra, but as fundamental to high-quality care, workforce development, and service improvement.
At the heart of the Academy’s work is a commitment to inclusivity and collaboration. By engaging a wide range of stakeholders from frontline practitioners to national organisations, the Academy is helping to shape research that reflects real-world needs and priorities. Its activities span mentorship and training, collaborative project development, leadership support, and knowledge sharing, all designed to build research capacity and capability across the workforce.
A key current focus is the development of national research priorities through a large-scale Delphi study. Alongside this, the Academy is supporting initiatives such as literature reviews, doctoral research networks, and the creation of a shared MSc/PhD repository to promote collaboration and reduce duplication.
To share your work on the repository, please see the QR here:
Looking ahead, the Academy will continue to expand its partnerships, influence funding and policy discussions, and support the development of high-quality research outputs. With the first rounds of the Delphi study taking place in early 2026 and a report expected by the summer, there are growing opportunities for individuals and organisations to get involved.
If you would like to take part in the Delphi, please use this QR code:
AAPR-UK represents a collective effort to ensure that advanced practice is underpinned by strong, relevant evidence. By fostering a culture where research is valued, supported, and shared, the Academy is helping to shape a more sustainable, effective, and patient-centred future for health and social care.
New training launched to build research skills across the NHS workforce
NHS England and the NIHR have launched two new, free e‑learning modules aimed at building research knowledge and confidence across the health and care workforce, including What is Health Research?
These flexible, self‑paced modules are designed for staff who are not currently research‑active but would like to develop their skills and understanding.
Strengthening research capability across the workforce supports a more innovative, research‑informed culture, helping to improve patient care and shape the future of healthcare.
NIHR Health and Care Professional (HCP) Internship Programme 2026/2027
Applications are open for the second cohort of the NIHR HCP Internship Programme, which provides the opportunity for health and care professions (not including doctors and dentists) to access predoctoral tailored and bespoke learning and development across the full range of research related career aspirations.
Further information including how to apply can be found here
Masters for Research Delivery Leadership
Bursary applications for the Masters for Research Delivery Leadership (MRDL) are now open. Registered health and care professionals can apply for up to three years of funding to complete a postgraduate certificate, diploma, or master’s, gaining the skills and experience needed to lead clinical research studies.
Deadline 1st July 2026
International Journal for Advancing Practice
Looking to stay up to date with the latest publications in the field of advancing practice? Wondering where to publish your latest research? Why not visit the International Journal for Advancing Practice
If you have any queries, please contact england.advancedpractice@nhs.net