Let’s talk... Support Workers

This podcast features Healthcare Support Workers and Associate Practice Educators from across Scotland sharing their experiences of being part of the PSD Scotland HCSW Advisory Group. In the discussion, participants describe how insights from practice help inform national policy, learning resources and workforce development. They describe the group as a supportive and inclusive space where members work together through co-production to shape practical, relevant resources. Participants reflect on how involvement has built their confidence, strengthened connections across different Boards and roles, and increased their understanding of how services and decisions are shaped across NHS Scotland. Overall, the podcast highlights how the group supports staff and educators to contribute to positive change and improve practice across Scotland. 

Access a transcript of the Voices from the HCSW Advisory Group episode, available in a Sway document.

Let us know what you think about our channel and podcast content by filling out Let’s Talk ... Support Workers feedback form. Your feedback will be a real help to us. We want to grow and develop to suit you, our listeners.

The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.

Episode Resources:  

Support Worker Central 

HCSW Advisory Group animation 

Support Workforce Learning on the Go event series 

NMAHP Development Framework 

Development and Education Framework for level 2-4 NMAHP Healthcare support workers 

Four Pillars of Practice 

Turas Professional Portfolio

Presenter Details:

Kirsteen Newman, Senior Educator, NHS Education for Scotland 

Abimbola Akomolafe, Healthcare Support Worker, NHS Grampian 

Mike Carlin, AHP Associate Practice Educator, NHS Tayside 

Karen Farquhar, Associate Practice Educator, NHS Grampian 

Marisa Jones, Maternity Support Worker, NHS Fife  

Lynsey Marley, Healthcare Support Worker (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services - CAMHS, NHS Forth Valley 

Elizabeth Robertson, Healthcare Support Worker, NHS Borders 

Gemma Walker, HCSW Associate Practice Educator, NHS Tayside 

 

This episode highlights how Associate Practice Educators in NHS Lanarkshire support trainee Assistant Practitioners through structured learning, mentorship, competency development, and the use of national frameworks to guide progression into practice. It shows how the programme builds learners’ confidence and skills, strengthens workforce capacity, and improves patient care, while emphasising the importance of collaboration and ongoing support.

Access a transcript of the Framework to Frontline: Supporting Assistant Practitioner Development in NHS Lanarkshire episode, available in a Sway document.

Let us know what you think about our channel and podcast content by filling out Let’s Talk ... Support Workers feedback form. Your feedback will be a real help to us. We want to grow and develop to suit you, our listeners.

The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.

Episode resources:
NMAHP Development Framework

Development and Education Framework for level 2-4 NMAHP Healthcare Support Workers

HNC Healthcare Practice SCQF level 7 - Qualifications Scotland (Currently being redeveloped as NextGen qualification)

PDA Education, Training and Assessment SCQF level 8 - Qualifications Scotland

Four Pillars of Practice

Turas Professional Portfolio

Presenter details:

Kirsteen Newman, Senior Educator, NHS Education for Scotland

Julie McMillan, Practice Education Facilitator, NHS Lanarkshire

Jennie Leyden, Associate Practice Educator, NHS Lanarkshire

Pauline Morris, Associate Practice Educator, NHS Lanarkshire

Ever wondered how new support worker roles are created in NHS Scotland and what it takes to make them work in practice? In this episode, we explore how NHS Lanarkshire introduced the Level 4 Assistant Practitioner role, drawing on the Healthcare Support Worker Development and Education Framework to reshape career pathways and strengthen teams. You’ll discover how the programme was designed, the challenges faced along the way and the impact of clear scope, strong governance and focused development. If you like hearing about new opportunities, support worker pathways and real change in action, this episode is full of ideas worth exploring.

Access a transcript of the Healthcare Support Worker Development and Education Framework – The Changing Landscape episode, available in a Sway document.

Let us know what you think about our channel and podcast content by filling out Let’s Talk ... Support Workers feedback form. Your feedback will be a real help to us. We want to grow and develop to suit you, our listeners.

The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.

Episode resources: 

Development and Education Framework for level 2-4 NMAHP Healthcare Support Workers

Reflective Self-Assessment tool

Standards of proficiency for registered nursing associates - The Nursing and Midwifery Council

Presenter details:

Kirsteen Newman, Senior Educator, NHS Education for Scotland

Margot Russell, Director of NMAHP Practice Development, NHS Lanarkshire

Becky Moran, Senior Practitioner, Practice Education, NHS Lanarkshire

Nicola Ozatalay, Practice Education Facilitator Lead, NHS Lanarkshire

Julie McMillan, Practice Education Facilitator, NHS Lanarkshire

 

Have you ever looked at wider careers and parts of the NHS and thought, 'That sounds interesting—I’d love to do it, but it’s not an option for me'? In this podcast, Heather, shares her journey of stepping beyond the traditional support worker clinical role through the AHP Fellowship, discovering new learning opportunities and unlocking her potential in unexpected ways.

Access a transcript of the Pathways to Progression: An AHP Fellowship Journey episode, available in a Sway document.

Let us know what you think about our channel and podcast content by filling out Let’s Talk ... Support Workers feedback form. Your feedback will be a real help to us. We want to grow and develop to suit you, our listeners.

The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.

Episode resources:

Support Worker Central

AHP Careers Fellowship

Support Worker newsletter

Support Worker Facebook page

Presenter details:

Linda Ewen, Specialist Lead, NHS Education for Scotland

Heather Rodger, AHP Associate Practice Educator, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde