ABDO is supporting a new Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE) initiative, commissioned by the General Optical Council (GOC), to facilitate knowledge-led collaborations within the optical sector to meet the GOC’s updated requirements for qualification approval.
With the College of Optometrists as lead partner, SPOKE will also be supported by the Optometry Schools Council (OSC) and bodies from across the sector to deliver projects, online resources and networking activities.
The Knowledge Hub/Information Exchange will be a resource for programme leaders, academic staff, module coordinators, supervisors and practice-based staff/employers and sector businesses. It will support the academic community in their design and development of qualifications, said the regulator, to meet its outcomes and standards, and further support practices and sector businesses in their role as placement providers within the new qualifications.
The hub’s first project will be to develop the sector-led, co-produced indicative guidance to supplement the GOC Outcomes for Registration. SPOKE will shortly be recruiting expert volunteers from across the sector to support the hub steering group in undertaking this work.
The Knowledge Hub/Information Exchange will also undertake further projects addressing topics such as: facilitating and assessing experiential and work-based learning; mentoring and supervision; values-based admissions; and hosting successful placements.
Leonie Milliner, GOC director of education, said: “We are delighted that the College of Optometrists, OSC and ABDO’s proposal for their collaborative knowledge hub, Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education, has secured GOC support for the next four years. This is an important initiative for the GOC, and we thank the sector for responding so positively to our request for proposals. We look forward to working with stakeholders and experts across the field as part of SPOKE to support providers of GOC-approved and provisionally approved qualifications adapt their provision to meet our updated requirements for qualifications we approve in optometry and dispensing optics.”
Lizzy Ostler, director of education at the College of Optometrists, said: “I am really excited that the SPOKE bid, developed in collaboration with Joy Myint [OSC] and Alistair Bridge [ABDO] has been successful. As a steering group, our plan is to involve the whole sector in establishing expected and best practice guidance for the qualifying education of optometrists and dispensing opticians. This will be a great opportunity to bring to life the GOC’s new requirements for providers and those involved in course approval for years to come.
“A wide range of experts have already volunteered to support the activities of SPOKE, and we look forward to moving forward at pace to produce the indicative guidance. We are keen to involve all stakeholders and welcome all interested parties to step up, join in and contribute to this sector-wide collaboration.”
Alistair Bridge, ABDO head of strategy, commented: “‘I am delighted that the sector’s bid to set up and run the new optical knowledge and education hub has been successful. As a partner in the consortium led by the College of Optometrists, ABDO strongly supports this exciting new initiative. Our sector-led approach will support the wide-ranging collaboration needed to implement the GOC’s new education requirements, and enable us to draw in vital expertise in relation to the education and assessment of both dispensing opticians and optometrists.”
To be part of SPOKE, or to hear more, email spokehub@college-optometrists.org