Guidance on implementation timelines for pre-registration EDS competencies

2 year course duration (Autumn or Winter start)

Entry prior to 2024

Upon graduation, learners entering prior to January, September, or October 2024 and completing their course while the competency framework is being implemented will be expected to:

• Complete a post-basic course, with clinical experience hours and formal end point assessment or receive a formalised work-based training programme in EDS with a signing off point via a programme which is very specific to that workplace in accordance with RCSLT 2014 Dysphagia training and competency framework.
• Go into the workplace carrying a portfolio-type document which sets out their personal profile in respect of competencies and what they need to do to achieve these, if required for the role.

Learners will expect that it is their own responsibility to set out for employers where they are uniquely profiled in respect of EDS competencies if relevant to their post.

Entry from January 2024 onwards

Upon graduation, learners entering in January, September, or October 2024 onwards will expect to:

• Be mentored in a Band 5 (or equivalent) post for EDS, aligned to mentoring in communication if required for their post.
• Go into the workplace carrying an audit-type document which demonstrates their competencies at the point of graduation. This will be their own unique profile in respect of EDS competencies which will be the starting point for EDS mentoring. This profile should include the ability to:
  • Discuss the importance of EDS and the service user’s goals with the service user/family/carer
  • Identify information required from case history and referral information, and obtain detailed background information from case notes relevant to EDS, including the service user/family/carer perspective
  • Apply health and safety procedures related to EDS difficulties
  • Use appropriate assessments to observe, record and evaluate EDS patterns, including trials of proposed intervention(s)
  • Evaluate oral, facial, and swallowing functioning of service users at risk of EDS difficulty
  • Recognise the signs and symptoms oropharyngeal and oesophageal dysphagia to inform diagnostic hypotheses
  • Synthesise information on psychological, social, and biomechanical factors with assessment findings and apply knowledge of evidence-based rehabilitation and compensatory techniques to formulate diagnoses and develop person-centred intervention plans
  • Explain management programmes to service users/family/carers and relevant team members
  • Identify specific person-centred outcomes to support review scheduling and identification of appropriate discharge points
  • Identify situations that require the initiation of safeguarding discussions

Employers will be given details of what is expected of them and the learner. Learners should supplement this information with their own unique profile in respect of EDS competencies if relevant to their post.

2.5 or 3 year course duration

Entry prior to 2023

Upon graduation, learners entering prior to September or October 2023 and completing their course while the competency framework is being implemented will expect to:

• Complete a post basic course, with clinical experience hours and formal end point assessment or receive a formalised work-based training programme in EDS with a signing off point via a programme which is very specific to that workplace in accordance with RCSLT 2014 Dysphagia training and competency framework. 
• Go into the workplace carrying a portfolio-type document which sets out their personal profile in respect of competencies and what they expect to still experience and demonstrate / evidence competency.

Learners will expect that it is their own responsibility to set out for employers where they are uniquely profiled in respect of EDS competencies if relevant to their post.

Entry from September 2023 onwards

Post-graduation, learners entering in September or October 2023 onwards will expect to:

• Be mentored in a Band 5 (or equivalent) post for EDS, aligned to mentoring in communication. 
• Go into the workplace carrying an audit-type document which demonstrates their competencies at the point of graduation. This will be their own unique profile in respect of EDS competencies which will be the starting point for the EDS mentoring. This profile should include the ability to:
  • Discuss the importance of EDS and the service user’s goals with the service user/family/carer 
  • Identify information required from case history and referral information, and obtain detailed background information from case notes relevant to EDS, including the service user/family/carer perspective
  • Apply health and safety procedures related to EDS difficulties
  • Use appropriate assessments to observe, record and evaluate EDS patterns, including trials of proposed intervention(s)
  • Evaluate oral, facial, and swallowing functioning of service users at risk of EDS difficulty
  • Recognise the signs and symptoms oropharyngeal and oesophageal dysphagia to inform diagnostic hypotheses
  • Synthesise information on psychological, social, and biomechanical factors with assessment findings and apply knowledge of evidence-based rehabilitation and compensatory techniques to formulate diagnoses and develop person-centred intervention plans
  • Explain management programmes to service users/family/carers and relevant team members
  • Identify specific person-centred outcomes to support review scheduling and identification of appropriate discharge points
  • Identify situations that require the initiation of safeguarding discussions

Employers will be given details of what is expected of them and the learner. Learners should supplement this information with their own unique profile in respect of EDS competencies if relevant to their post.

4 year course duration

Entry prior to 2022

Post-graduation, learners entering prior to September or October 2022 and completing their course while the competency framework is being implemented will expect to:

• Complete a post basic course, with clinical experience hours and formal end point assessment or receive a formalised work-based training programme in EDS with a signing off point via a programme which is very specific to that workplace in accordance with RCSLT 2014 Dysphagia training and competency framework. 
• Go into the workplace carrying a portfolio-type document which sets out their personal profile in respect of competencies and what they expect to still experience and demonstrate / evidence competency.

They will expect that it is their own responsibility to set out for employers where they are uniquely profiled in respect of EDS competencies if relevant to their post.

Entry from September 2022 onwards

Post-graduation, learners entering in September or October 2022 onwards and/or completing their course by AY 2025-2026 (depending on HEI implementation timeline) will expect to:

• Be mentored in a Band 5 (or equivalent) post for EDS, aligned to mentoring in communication.
• Go into the workplace carrying an audit-type document which demonstrates their competencies at the point of graduation. This will be their own unique profile in respect of EDS competencies which will be the starting point for the EDS mentoring. This profile should include the ability to:
  • Discuss the importance of EDS and the service user’s goals with the service user/family/carer 
  • Identify information required from case history and referral information, and obtain detailed background information from case notes relevant to EDS, including the service user/family/carer perspective
  • Apply health and safety procedures related to EDS difficulties
  • Use appropriate assessments to observe, record and evaluate EDS patterns, including trials of proposed intervention(s)
  • Evaluate oral, facial, and swallowing functioning of service users at risk of EDS difficulty
  • Recognise the signs and symptoms oropharyngeal and oesophageal dysphagia to inform diagnostic hypotheses
  • Synthesise information on psychological, social, and biomechanical factors with assessment findings and apply knowledge of evidence-based rehabilitation and compensatory techniques to formulate diagnoses and develop person-centred intervention plans
  • Explain management programmes to service users/family/carers and relevant team members
  • Identify specific person-centred outcomes to support review scheduling and identification of appropriate discharge points
  • Identify situations that require the initiation of safeguarding discussions

Employers will be given details of what is expected of them and the learner. Learners should supplement this information with their own unique profile in respect of EDS competencies if relevant to their post.

6 year (part-time) course duration

Disclaimer: For part-time courses, we understand that learners who will graduate in AY 2025-2026 have already entered the course. We do not expect HEIs to have already begun implementing the competency framework in time for these learners to complete their degrees. Therefore, students graduating in AY 2025-2026 from part-time, six-year-long courses will not be penalised if they have not completed the competencies.

Entry prior to 2022

Post-graduation, learners entering prior September 2022 and completing their course while the competency framework is being implemented will expect to:

• Complete a post basic course, with clinical experience hours and formal end point assessment or receive a formalised work-based training programme in EDS with a signing off point via a programme which is very specific to that workplace in accordance with RCSLT 2014 Dysphagia training and competency framework. 
• Go into the workplace carrying a portfolio-type document which sets out their personal profile in respect of competencies and what they expect to still experience and demonstrate / evidence competency.

They will expect that it is their own responsibility to set out for employers where they are uniquely profiled in respect of EDS competencies if relevant to their post.

Entry from September 2022 onwards

Post-graduation, learners entering in September 2022 onwards and/or completing their course by AY 2025-2026 (depending on HEI implementation timeline) will expect to:

• Be mentored in a Band 5 (or equivalent) post for EDS, aligned to mentoring in communication. 
• Go into the workplace carrying an audit-type document which demonstrates their competencies at the point of graduation. This will be their own unique profile in respect of EDS competencies which will be the starting point for the EDS mentoring. This profile should include the ability to:
  • Discuss the importance of EDS and the service user’s goals with the service user/family/carer 
  • Identify information required from case history and referral information, and obtain detailed background information from case notes relevant to EDS, including the service user/family/carer perspective
  • Apply health and safety procedures related to EDS difficulties
  • Use appropriate assessments to observe, record and evaluate EDS patterns, including trials of proposed intervention(s)
  • Evaluate oral, facial, and swallowing functioning of service users at risk of EDS difficulty
  • Recognise the signs and symptoms oropharyngeal and oesophageal dysphagia to inform diagnostic hypotheses
  • Synthesise information on psychological, social, and biomechanical factors with assessment findings and apply knowledge of evidence-based rehabilitation and compensatory techniques to formulate diagnoses and develop person-centred intervention plans
  • Explain management programmes to service users/family/carers and relevant team members
  • Identify specific person-centred outcomes to support review scheduling and identification of appropriate discharge points
  • Identify situations that require the initiation of safeguarding discussions

Employers will be given details of what is expected of them and the learner. Learners should supplement this information with their own unique profile in respect of EDS competencies if relevant to their post.

Summary table