Aspirant Cancer Career Education and Development


  • ACCEND stands for Aspirant Cancer Career Education and Development. It provides a national framework outlining the skills, knowledge, and capabilities healthcare professionals need to provide high-quality care to people affected by cancer. It serves as a life-long career pathway for nurses, allied health professionals and support workers that will help design and standardise career development and training opportunities.

    It supports the cancer workforce development at all levels of practice, helping individuals identify strengths, recognise areas for development, and plan meaningful career progression.


    • There are 3 key components of the framework.

      1.Career Pathway Component – 7 levels of practice from Supportive, Assistive, Pre–Registration, Registered, Enhanced, Advanced and Consultant level.

      2.Core Capabilities in Practice (CIP’s) - clinical skills, essential knowledge, and behaviours for each level of practice divided across 7 domains.

      3.Education Framework – Education providers and universities mapping learning outcomes to the ACCEND Framework to achieve CIPs.



      • The ACCEND ePortfolio is a digital, interactive tool that aligns with the ACCEND framework. It provides a central space for healthcare professionals to record:

        • Learning achievements

        • Reflections and case study reviews

        • Training and accreditations

        • Certificates and educational activities

        The ePortfolio offers benefits such as:

        ✅ Supporting appraisal and revalidation
         ✅ Acting as a live CV that follows you across roles and organisations
        ✅ Helping structure         career progression
        ✅ Encouraging self-assessment and targeted learning

        It includes recognised learning which is undertook by cancer specialities such as:

        • Any learning via Macmillan Learning Hub

        • Advanced Communication Skills Training

        • Level 2 Psychological Skills Training

        • UKONS SACT Passport

        • University-delivered cancer education modules. All university modules delivered as part of Birmingham City University Applied Cancer Practice course are mapped to the ACCEND Framework


        • Let’s build a confident, capable workforce, equipped to deliver the highest standards of care for people affected by cancer.


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