Northern soul: Manchester's part in creating the AP role

Abstract

The article provides the reader with an historical overview—by the project director who led the development for the first 10 years—of how, when and where the assistant practitioner (AP) role was first developed, beginning in 2001. The project was called ‘Delivering the Workforce’ and became a long-term workforce modernisation strategy for the North West region. The AP role was the major role that emerged and is still in place today. The key principles that underpinned the development of the AP role are described, alongside some of the resources and processes that were used. The aim of the article is to provide readers with the background to the origins of the AP role and also to help provide an understanding of the context and risks that the original ‘pioneers’ took particularly the first students, the two universities, the ‘practice trainers, and the organisations. A short reflection on the AP role today and the original ‘AP design’ is briefly discussed.