Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme (ACCEND)

The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) programme provides guidance on the knowledge, skills and capabilities required by all nurses and allied health professionals who care for people living with cancer in generalist and specialist cancer services and roles as part of multi-professional teams. For more information about ACCEND please visit https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/cancer-diagnostics/aspirant-cancer-career-education-development-programme

The ACCEND HUB Includes:

ACCEND Framework Simplified
Learn more about the ACCEND framework and how it relates to your role in cancer care.  The framework is for the supportive, assistive, nursing and allied health professions workforce who provide care to people affected by cancer in general and specialist cancer settings, services and roles across the UK.
Currently, there are sessions which cover the ACCEND framework and role profiles within cancer and specifically in supportive and assistive level of care. More sessions will be added later to cover other levels. Additionally, there are also programmes for Foundations of Cancer Care and Primary Care Cancer Care Coordinator. 

ACCEND supportive and assistive workforce toolkit
Supportive and assistive workers are a diverse group within nursing, allied health, administrative, and pharmacy teams, providing clinical, navigational, and administrative support across various settings like GP surgeries, hospitals, community centers, and patients' homes.  These sessions include the role profiles working in cancer care as well as some recommended resources. 

ACCEND Registered, Enhanced towards Advanced (RETA) toolkit
The RETA workstream offers a structured career pathway and education framework for registered healthcare professionals working at the enhanced level of cancer care practice. This vital part of the workforce includes practitioners who have progressed beyond novice or competent levels and undertake complex work across primary, community, and secondary care settings. Underpinned by the Core Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), RETA supports the development of the broad and essential enhanced-level workforce, helping ensure safe, effective, high-quality cancer services. We provide resources, guidance, and developmental opportunities for professionals from diverse roles and disciplines who bring specialised cancer knowledge and skills to multidisciplinary teams.

ACCEND Leadership, Advanced and Consultant practice Education and development (LACE)
The LACE workstream supports the development of clinical and strategic leaders working in, or aspiring to, advanced and consultant-level cancer practice. We provide guidance, tools, and educational opportunities for nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacists, psychologists, and those in educator, research, academic, or wider leadership roles. Through resources such as the ACCEND framework, Non-Surgical Oncology Framework, and links to national leadership programmes, LACE helps practitioners assess their capabilities, identify development needs, and explore career pathways. Our aim is to strengthen clinical leadership, enhance core capabilities, and support the ongoing growth of the cancer workforce.

Foundations of Cancer Care
Foundations of Cancer Care is a comprehensive elearning programme mainly designed and developed for pre-registration nursing and allied health professional students although it is recommended for anyone interested increasing awareness in cancer care.

Primary Care Cancer Care Coordinator Training
The Primary Cancer Care Coordinator training is designed to provide users with essential information on the significance of cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis.

For more information about ACCEND elearning and resources please visit https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/aspirant-cancer-career-and-education-development-programme-accend/

The Registered, Enhanced towards Advanced (RETA) toolkit and the Leadership, Advanced and Consultant Education and development (LACE) toolkit will be available soon.