Celebrating AHP Support Worker Week: a call for change

Support Worker Awareness Week is a dedicated moment to recognise the vital contributions of allied health professional (AHP) support workers. 

Throughout the week, members of the CSP Associate Network are sharing their experiences, highlighting what they love about their roles, and voicing what they believe would make the NHS better. These powerful insights are being shared through videos on social media – see #AHPSupportWorkersWeek- amplifying the voices of those who play such a crucial role in physiotherapy care. 

Shaping the future of healthcare 

Right now, all members of the physiotherapy workforce have a unique and important opportunity to influence the future of the NHS. NHS England has launched the largest consultation in its history, inviting staff to share their perspectives on what’s working and what isn’t. The findings from this consultation will inform the development of the NHS England 10-Year Plan, set to be published next summer. 

This is a pivotal moment for physiotherapy support workers to advocate for change, ensuring their needs and contributions are fully acknowledged and supported in the NHS of the future. 

Addressing longstanding challenges 

The CSP is acutely aware of the challenges physiotherapy support workers face. The findings from The Cavendish Review: Ten Years On highlight ongoing shortfalls in education, training, career development, and recognition for clinical support workers. Shockingly, only one in five clinical support staff feel valued by the NHS, and over a quarter regularly consider leaving their jobs. 

This lack of support not only impacts the individuals in these roles but also threatens the sustainability of services. As a profession, we must do better to ensure support workers feel valued and empowered in their roles. 

CSP’s call to action

We are calling on NHS systems to address these gaps and to prioritise the development of physiotherapy support workers. Specifically, we urge: 

• Clear development and training opportunities: This includes robust personal development plans to enable career progression, ring-fenced time for learning and development, and access to both formal and informal training. 
• Effective delegation practices: Physiotherapy services must ensure that delegation aligns with professional guidance, governance processes are robust, and all team members understand what good delegation looks like. 

Investing in the development and recognition of physiotherapy support workers isn’t just about fairness—it’s about improving patient care and building a stronger, more resilient workforce. CSP professional adviser Marie-Therese McDonald issues a challenge to the profession in her blog: How are we supporting physiotherapy support workers?

Make your voice heard 

This AHP Support Worker Week, celebrate the vital contributions of support workers and advocate for the changes they need. Take part in the NHS England consultation and share your insights—it’s your chance to help shape the future of healthcare. 

Your voice matters, and together, we can build a better future for the entire physiotherapy workforce.