Developing a Quality Assurance process for local AAC services to access equipment funding

Session

6.8

Practice Report

• • Anna Reeves (ACE Centre)
  • Suzanne Martin (ACE Centre)
  • Judith De Ste Croix (Bristol Communication Aid Service)

Funding / Sponsorship:

The presentation of this paper is part-funded by a DfE National Prospectus Grant.

Summary

To outline proposals and seek feedback for a QA process that can be used by specialised AAC services commissioned by NHS England to provide AAC equipment to children and adults meeting the eligibility criteria within service specification D01 S/b.

Method/Activities/Techniques

ACE Centre is delivering a DfE funded project in partnership with Communication Matters and 1Voice, which includes the development of recommendations for a Quality Assurance process for AAC assessment services. This activity has coincided with the need for a QA process to assist NHS England commissioned specialised AAC services to approve equipment for eligible children and adults who need AAC recommended by local AAC services and professionals.

Results/Findings

This framework is being developed for the new specialised AAC commissioning arrangements from April 2014.  It is anticipated that this will be ‘work in progress’ and this presentation will prove an opportunity for discussion and feedback on the development and use of this tool to date.

Conclusions

The QA process outlined in this presentation aims to raise standards in assessment for AAC at both a local and specialist level, identify training needs of the local AAC workforce, and provide national equity in adherence to Communication Matters’ Quality Standard for AAC assessment services.

Level of Session

Specialist

Age Group

All Ages

Interest

Primary school
Secondary school
Special school
Further/Higher Ed.
Adult
Transitions