Report writing for APC: Mentoring and coaching - Nov 2023 to Nov 2024

Report writing for APC: Mentoring and coaching - Nov 2023 to Nov 2024

Overview

  • Date(s)
    20 Nov 2023 - 20 Nov 2024
  • Cost
    £350.00
  • Provider
    Education Access
  • Delivery type
    Distance
  • Course level
    Advanced
  • Course summary

    This personalised mentoring provision is valuable for all those applying for APC, from new applicants, those who are responding to feedback and those renewing for either dyslexia or dyscalculia. It covers the diagnostic report writing process to enable applicants to have confidence in their submissions. Mentees receive video-call mentoring, as well as a review of their own reporting activities, demonstrating their commitment to the professional standards required by practitioners..

  • CPD credit hours
    5 hours
  • Course themes
    Reviewing principles of psychometrics, statistics, assessment and underlying theory, SpLD testing methods, interpretation, report writing, feedback and test materials
  • Audience
    Assessors, Support, Assessment centres, Training institutions
  • SASC Code
    SASC-20231118-85

Description

This mentoring provision is SASC approved, following the most up-to-date guidelines, first issued in June 2019 and will follow the new guidelines when published in December 2024. SASC have recommended that new APC holders take part in 5 hours mentoring as part of their core CPD requirement, and this provision will meet that requirement.

The scheme is suitable for everyone with an interest in submitting reports for APC, for dyslexia or dyscalculia. This scheme is cost-effective and flexible, can be customised to your goals, and will:

  • Give you confidence in the requirements and expectations of APC-level testing and reporting including issues of accessibility so that the report is useful for a wide audience;
  • Confirm and reinforce your existing good practice;
  • Leaves you confident in submitting a report for APC;
  • Reflect your commitment to the professional standards required by practitioners who are wishing to renew their APC;
  • Offer an opportunity to discuss issues from real-world practice.

The programme is designed to take 5 hours, including video-calls with your mentor. This will be in two parts:

Firstly, your mentor will review one of your diagnostic assessment reports, for either dyslexia or dyscalculia. This will be done via video calls online, either in 2x2 hour sessions, or 4x1 hour sessions, using a question and answer approach, going through each part of the report, relating the areas to the SASC 15-point criteria.

Secondly, one section from the APC criteria is chosen, in agreement with the mentor, to be worked on, in more detail, for 1 hour - again online.

This detailed work could on any report-writing relevant topic, agreed between the mentor and mentee. Some possible example topics are given below:

  • confidentiality,
  • how cognitive processing contributes to the identification of the SPLD under consideration; 
  • background information, 
  • age-appropriate assessment materials, 
  • statistics and prevalence, 
  • qualitative analysis, 
  • discussing impact, 
  • recommendations, 
  • number-sense (for dyscalculia reports), 
  • accessibility 

Learning outcomes

  • To acquire a sound understanding of current SASC regulations and requirements for Diagnostic Assessment Reports for pre16 age group for dyslexia or dyscalculia. 
  • To establish knowledge of tests that are recognised by SASC for use when assessing to ensure all core components are covered, including coverage of the new tests that have been recently been released to potentially replace WRIT.
  • To review one Diagnostic Assessment Report, with feedback on strengths and issues that need addressing for the future or in preparation for APC submission.
  • To work colloboratively on one aspect of report writing, as a focused outcome.

Course prerequisites

An appropriate APC level qualification or a current APC from an awarding body

Frequently asked questions

Mentoring is a system of semi-structured guidance whereby one person shares their knowledge, skills and experience to assist others to progress in their own careers. It is a way for ‘passing on’ good practice so that the benefits can be widely spread. It is about helping to identify the mentee's strengths and areas for improvement, helping them to find ways of resolving or reaching them - not by 'doing it for them', or expecting them to ‘do it the way I did it’, but by developing their understanding the process. 

https://www.sasc.org.uk/continuing-professional-development/

CPD Requirements for First time Holders of an SpLD APC [applies to all new APCs issued from 1st September 2018] The requirement for additional SASC authorised CPD detailed below is aimed at better supporting those holding an APC for the first time: Holders of an APC for the first time should participate in at least 5 hours of authorised CPD each year before their first renewal. This CPD would be authorised by SASC and listed through the SASC website and 5 hours CPD, which may not have an assessed element, each year. 

Mentoring is strongly recommended. Mentoring could be SASC authorised and meet some of the above required core authorised hours. Mentoring could also be informal and be counted as fulfilling some of the rest of the CPD minimum requirements.

If you are renewing your APC awarded before 1st September 2018, you will need a minimum of 20 hours over 3 years, 5 of which has to be SASC authorised.