Review of an Advanced Practitioner Training Programme
We conducted a comprehensive review of a national Advanced Practitioner Training Programme designed for stop smoking advisors supporting people with complex needs. Our role was to assess the programme’s behavioural-science foundations, explore how effectively it prepares practitioners for real-world challenges, and identify opportunities to strengthen the organisation’s capability in delivering high-quality, evidence-based training.
The Challenge
The organisation sought an independent, behaviourally informed review of its programme to understand whether the training fully equipped practitioners with the relational, motivational and trauma-informed skills required in advanced practice. They were particularly interested in how ambivalence, confidence-building, motivation and rapport were addressed, and how the curriculum could evolve to support more consistent, confident programme delivery across the workforce.
Our Approach
We conducted a structured behavioural analysis of all training materials, reviewing slide decks, trainer notes and session plans through a behavioural-science lens. Rather than focusing solely on content coverage, we explored how theory, skills practice and case-based learning were integrated, and how well the training prepared practitioners to navigate complex client situations. Our assessment combined an overview of strengths with targeted opportunities to enhance learning flow, applied practice, and the organisation’s long-term training capability.
Solution Delivered
Our review highlighted the strong evidence base that underpins the programme, including its clear commitment to equity, person-centred care and trauma-informed practice. At the same time, we identified opportunities to more explicitly integrate motivational strategies, confidence-building techniques and the normalisation of ambivalence across modules. The final recommendations offered both immediate enhancements and a longer-term direction for future curriculum development, supporting the organisation to strengthen trainer confidence, refine delivery methods and improve the overall learning experience.
Impact
The organisation now has a clearer understanding of how to improve the consistency and quality of its training delivery, strengthen practitioner capability, and enhance the behavioural-science coherence of the programme. Our work provided a structured pathway for refining the existing content while also outlining a future curriculum model that would increase engagement, reduce cognitive load and support more confident, skilled delivery across the workforce. As a result, the organisation is better positioned to offer a training programme that is not only evidence-based, but also practical, relevant and resilient as practice continues to evolve.