Annual Report 2017

Our workforce Our speech pathology workforce will have the capabilities and capacity to drive quality, innovation and diversity, as enablers to achieve our vision.

Speech pathology in schools project In 2017, the Association was commissioned by the New South Wales Department of Education to undertake the Speech Pathology in Schools project. The aim of the project was to encourage NSW government school principals to engage speech pathologists to work in their schools using a whole of school (response to intervention) approach with the ultimate goal being improved outcomes for students. Arising from this project the Association produced a series of resources for speech pathologists who work or wish to work in schools. The resources are designed to inform a

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee

In October 2017, the Association established and held the first meeting of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values in relation to culture, land and history are embedded in the values and business of the Association. This initiative aligns with the aspiration "Clients and Communities" driving service delivery in the Association’s Strategic Plan 2017-2019 . Discussions at the committee’s first meeting covered a range of topics, including the Association’s new strategic plan, the ATSI Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (including the functions of the committee), development of a Reconciliation Action Plan, the role of the committee in developing partnerships between the Association and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and matters for discussion at future meetings. Membership of the committee includes, amongst others, two speech pathologists with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, Tara Lewis and Edward Ong; a speech pathology student with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, Alice Robins; and Chair of the Association’s ATSI Curriculum Committee, Professor Beth Armstrong.

speech pathologist’s practice and to assist with professional development and advocacy opportunities. Central to these resource is a 48 page booklet, Speech Pathology in Schools . In addition, a number of workshops for members interested in working in schools have been conducted by the Association.

Speech Pathology in Schools

A resource to support engagement and participation of students with speech , language and communication needs in schools.

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SpeechPathologyAustralia:SpeechPathology inSchoolsProject

Mutual Recognition Agreement A new Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) was signed

New memorandum with TEQSA In 2017, Speech Pathology Australia and the Tertiary Education and Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate sharing of information, streamline approaches to accreditation and ultimately to improve the quality of speech pathology graduates. The Association and TEQSA have a mutual interest in maintaining and improving the quality of speech pathology graduates in Australia. TEQSA is the independent regulator of the higher education sector and aims to protect the interests of students by ensuring education providers meet minimal national standards. TEQSA accredits universities against the Higher Education Standards Framework. Speech Pathology Australia accredits university programs to assure the general public of the quality of graduates from Australian speech pathology university programs.

on behalf of Speech Pathology Australia by the Association’s National President, Gaenor Dixon and

Chief Executive Officer, Gail Mulcair when they attended the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Congress in Los Angeles in November 2017. Parties to the new MRA are Speech Pathology Australia, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, Speech-Language and Audiology Canada, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT), New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association. There were no major changes for Association members applying to the overseas associations covered under the MRA. SPA National President, Gaenor Dixon (right) and CEO, Gail Mulcair, were designated signatories for SPA.

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2017 ANNUAL REPORT Speech Pathology Australia