Lizanne Steenkamp

Board Lead – Education, Accreditation & Registration

My interest in the profession of Audiology is very much focused on the education of future audiologists and with that in mind, I joined the BAA Accreditation committee in 2010. In my years on that committee, I participated in the accreditation of PTP courses which helped gain an understanding of the Modernising Scientific Careers programme, as well as registration pathways. This work also facilitated BAA’s links with the RCCP and the National School for Healthcare Science (NSHCS). During this time, I also drafted the first guidance document on registration options in audiology in an attempt to clarify the complex nature of registration with three different registration bodies. This guidance has been updated in 2017 and is available on the BAA website. I also drafted the BAA response to the Government Regulation consultation which provided a starting point for BAA Board directors to consider, and this was submitted in January 2018.

Education and Training is a complex portfolio and during my term on Board I worked with my co-board directors on reviewing the structure and in 2017 we established it in its current format of Education, Accreditation and Registration or EAR for short. This highlights the important link between accreditation of courses and eligibility to join a register. In a climate of workforce shortages, it is especially important to ensure that all training pathways are supported to result in registration. At the moment some courses can only lead to eligibility to register with one or the other register.

I worked to establish links with external bodies to ensure that BAA has representation and BAA Board directors continue to represent BAA at AHCS, NSHCS and ACS meetings as well as at RCCP Council and RCCP Professional Body Education Committee (PBEC).

My work on the Higher Training Scheme (HTC) included liaising with the HTS chair and BAA Board to review HTS in its current format to determine the future pathway. A small working group was established, and I participated in the design of the questionnaire circulated to members in 2018. I worked with the HTS chief examiner and HTS chair in maintaining support for BAA members registered on the HTS programme.

During my term on Board, I facilitated the creation of the Educational Audiologist register with the RCCP, with support from the accreditation committee. This involved discussions with BAA Board, the RCCP and the British Association of Education Audiologists (BAEA) by drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between BAA and BAEA. This MOU exists to facilitate the accreditation of courses leading to eligibility to register with the RCCP as an Educational Audiologist. RCCP was the register of choice as Educational Audiology sits out with Modernising Scientific Careers.

I also led the accreditation committee work on the guidance for the accreditation of top-up degrees facilitating progression from a Foundation degree or DipHE in Hearing Aid Audiology to BSc (Hons) level in Audiology.

As Board Director there is the opportunity to work with and support remarkable colleagues in the profession and my term on Board meant that I could provide support to other portfolios as well and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the context of the profession. I strive to support and inspire aspiring Audiologists through my work with BAA and my day job as a lecturer in Audiology at QMU in Edinburgh.

This approach to life in general now also includes supporting an aspiring triathlon athlete. This mainly involves driving hubby around Scotland enjoying the lovely views whilst he is swimming in Scottish lochs!

I believe that a position on the BAA Board is an ideal opportunity to help shape Audiology’s future in the UK.