City of Westminster College was delighted to welcome NHS Allied Health Professionals and support staff on their first day of the NHS Higher Development Award last week at our Paddington Campus.

This new course has been designed in partnership with the Allied Health Professional Faculty for North Central London Integrated Care System (ICS). Successful staff on the course will complete a Level 2 Certificate in Team Leading Principles, attain a mental health qualification and complete a service improvement project. 

Staff attended the programme from North Central London ICS, including University College London Hospital, Whittington Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and the Royal Free London NHS Trust. 

In total, they will spend six days in college covering topics such as team leading, self-managing and providing direction, as well as communicating information and knowledge at work. 

A Level 3 programme is under development with an anticipated early 2025 start date. There will be further opportunities to join the Level 2 Higher Development Award in April 2025. 

Dawn Grant, Health Care Support Worker Development Lead, NHS London Region, said: “The Higher Development Award (HDA) is a programme which provides development for support workers personally and professionally. It has helped hundreds to be the best and acknowledge potential across the country.

“I know how much planning and organisation takes place to bring employers and colleges to engage and support the development of the programme – meeting the needs of the ever-changing NHS and developing staff in a meaningful way. 

“Support staff are the backbone of any organisation, a massive support network who, quite honestly, keep everything running. The HDA qualification provides an element of empowerment and helps them acknowledge the many skills they have. It also opens up a new world of leadership, team participation and understanding their true value in a team.”

Stephen Davis, CEO and Group Principal, United Colleges Group, said: “This is an important programme for developing skilled workers in an area that has significant recruitment challenges, and United Colleges Group is looking forward to expand this offering over the coming years to help support our NHS partners deliver the very best services to residents in London.”