National Dementia Education and Training Standards Framework
About the Framework
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has engaged Dementia Training Australia to develop the National Dementia Education and Training Standards Framework.
The Standards Framework will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding key learning areas and levels and desired outcomes from dementia education across a broad range of education settings.
Education and training providers across Australia offer a variety of accredited and non-accredited dementia education and training programs without a framework to guide what outcomes students should expect to achieve at different educational levels, and what topic areas and themes should be covered to best support and enhance the lives of people living with dementia. As a result, the levels of skill and knowledge in the workforce and community vary greatly.
The Standards Framework will improve the consistency and quality in education and training to ensure that all Australians living with dementia, regardless of care setting and location, receive high-quality, evidence-based support and care that enhances their health and wellbeing.
Development of the Standards Framework is supported by the Royal Commission into Quality and Safety in Aged Care Final Report Recommendations and will integrate with the National Dementia Action Plan to be finalised in 2023.
Approach to development
DTA has undertaken
multi-sector stakeholder engagement within and beyond the health and aged care sectors.
Development of the Standards Framework benefits from an active and engaged Sector Stakeholder Group, Expert Reference Group, and Living Experience Reference Group.
More than 70 Subject Matter Experts from 40 organisations as well as retirees and Living Experience experts have engaged in collaboration on content development for the Standards Framework in 2023. Early development of the Framework was informed by an independent literature review, commissioned by DTA, and completed by The Sax Institute.
To get involved, please contact engage@dta.com.au.
Timeline
Jan – Dec
2022
Standards Framework Domains, Themes and Tiers agreed
Project funding extended for full development of the Framework
Jul – Dec
2023
Revision of content based on SME feedback
Validation of core content by key stakeholders
Apr – Jun
2024
Finalisation of framework document
Finalisation of website content
Jan – Jun
2023
Knowledge and Skills outcomes developed
Subject Matter Experts and Living Experience Refere nce Group members recruited
Review of new content by SMEs including Living Experience experts
Jan – Mar
2024
Development of associated materials
Development of website
July
2024
Launch
Domains of Learning
Dementia Awareness
and Understanding
Dementia Diagnosis
and Support
Human Rights, Ethics and Supporting Autonomy
Physical Wellbeing
Enabling Environments
Person-Centred Care
Working in Partnerships with
Families and Carers
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people
Independence and
Enablement
Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
Communication and Connection
Behaviour
Diversity
End of Life
Tiers of Learning
Tier 1
Introductory
Provides basic dementia knowledge and information relevant to all people working with or supporting a person living with dementia.
Tier 2
Foundational
Builds on the Introductory level and provides the knowledge and skills that should be required of all health and aged care staff working (directly or substantial contact) with a person living with dementia and carers.
Tier 3
Enhanced Practice
Building on tier 1 and tier 2, the Enhanced practice tier is aimed at practitioners who wish to develop a deeper knowledge and skill base for working with people living with dementia and their carers and people progressing to become dementia specialist practitioners.
Tier 4
Advanced Practice / Expertise
Building on the previous three tiers, it provides the advanced knowledge and skills for the development of dementia specialist, researchers and thought and practice leaders, which play key leadership roles in the advancement of understanding and evidence, innovation, support, and treatment of people living with dementia and their carers.