As part of our launch event for the Orthoptic Workforce Development Programme, we officially launched our Professional Development Framework today.
This framework has been designed to define the key professional topics relevant across all orthoptic roles and provide a shared language to support and guide development throughout a career in orthoptics.
At its core, the framework introduces a set of common principles – including domains, levels of practice, and spheres of influence – to help members of the workforce map their current role, aspirations, and career pathway. Whether they’re a pre-registration learner, support worker, or an experienced clinician, educator, or researcher, the framework aims to support structured reflection and meaningful development planning.
The framework itself is open access to support workforce development and individual career journeys within orthoptics. It is also available to strategic leads and service managers outside the profession who are responsible for orthoptists or orthoptic services. By making the framework widely accessible, we’re promoting a shared language for development and enabling better-informed workforce planning and service delivery. However, we will also be providing additional resources for BIOS members to support the utilisation of the Framework.
Chair of BIOS, Craig Murray, said, “[The Framework] has been co-created by and for the orthoptic workforce following an extensive period of engagement with all layers of our clinical and student workforce. This is the first time that we have a profession-specific resource that all individuals within the profession can use to identify existing skills and experience, as well as the learning and development needs required for continued personal professional development, at all career levels.”
The Orthoptic Workforce Development Programme is a programme funded by NHS England covering a number of projects aimed at developing and securing the orthoptic workforce throughout the UK, both now and in the future.