51³Ô¹Ï

The purpose of the 51³Ô¹Ï Learner Network is to co-create an approach that enables 51³Ô¹Ï, the national professional body for the prosthetic and orthotic profession in the UK, to link more closely with learners enrolled on pathways to join the P&O workforce. In the first instance, we plan to bring together learner representatives from across the UK’s four P&O education providers to help shape an approach that’s meaningful and beneficial to learners, and manageable in the context of other demands on their time.

The term ‘l±ð²¹°ù²Ô±ð°ù’ is used to describe students registered on university-based programmes of study and apprentices pursuing their qualifications via an apprenticeship pathway. Learners will be registered on one of the following educational pathways:

• Level 3 technicians apprenticeship at the University of Derby
• Level 6 degree apprenticeship at the University of Derby
• Pre-registration MSc at Keele University
• BSc (Hons) at the University of Salford
• BSc (Hons) at the University of Strathclyde

The aims of the 51³Ô¹Ï Learner Network is to:

1. Develop a sustainable approach that meets the needs and expectations of both the evolving learner community and 51³Ô¹Ï as their professional body.
2. Improve direct engagement and two-way communication between 51³Ô¹Ï and the learner community.
3. Improve 51³Ô¹Ï’s awareness and understanding of issues impacting learners during their academic studies and while learning in practice settings.
4. Explore the guidance and resources 51³Ô¹Ï could provide for learners to support their journey towards joining the professional community, complementing and adding value to, rather than duplicating, those available from education providers.
5. Create a space for the exchange of ideas and collaboration to enhance learner journeys and experiences.
6. Provide learners with opportunities to develop in the leadership pillar of practice, and to get to know and help to shape their professional body.
7. Support the building of professional networks and founding of lasting relationships with 51³Ô¹Ï.

The first meeting of the new 51³Ô¹Ï Learner Network was held on January 29^th, 2025.

Along with agreeing the purpose, aims, and guiding principles for the running of the group, other points of discussion focused on:

💡the potential for 51³Ô¹Ï to supporting networking between learners – that’s members of the Learner Reference Group and the learner community more widely

💡the potential to work collaboratively to break down barriers to accessing variable and valuable learning opportunities linked to both academic and practice-based contexts

💡creating opportunities to develop group members’ understanding of the relationship between 51³Ô¹Ï and the four UK education providers, and the guidance, advice and support that 51³Ô¹Ï offers to help shape their learning journeys

💡creating opportunities to develop group members’ understanding of the value of 51³Ô¹Ï membership, and particularly understanding what student (learner) membership currently includes

💡 the potential to consider reviewing the 51³Ô¹Ï student / learner membership offer with the Learner Reference Group in future

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Watch this space for more information as the 51³Ô¹Ï Learner Network develops and unfolds.