Course Accreditation Application

IUHPE Core Competencies and Professional Standards

Knowledge Base Underpinning Health Promotion

The core competencies require that a Health Promotion practitioner draws on a multidisciplinary knowledge base of the core concepts, principles, theory and research of Health Promotion and its application in practice.

Below are the competency requirements a Health Promotion practitioner is able to demonstrate knowledge of. For each course module added, select all that apply for that module.

• The concepts, principles and ethical values of Health Promotion as defined by the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (WHO, 1986) and subsequent charters and declarations
• The concepts of health equity, social justice and health as a human right as the basis for Health Promotion action
• The determinants of health and their implications for Health Promotion action
• The impact of social and cultural diversity on health and health inequities and the implications for Health Promotion action
• Health Promotion models and approaches which support empowerment, participation, partnership and equity as the basis for Health Promotion action
• The current theories and evidence which underpin effective leadership, advocacy and partnership building and their implication for Health Promotion action
• The current models and approaches of effective project and programme management (including needs assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation) and their application to Health Promotion action
• The evidence base and research methods, including qualitative and quantitative methods, required to inform and evaluate Health Promotion action
• The communication processes and current information technology required for effective Health Promotion action
• The systems, policies and legislation which impact on health and their relevance for Health Promotion.

IUHPE Core Competencies and Professional Standards

Ethics

A Health Promotion practitioner acts professionally and ethically.

Ethical Health Promotion practice is based on a commitment to health as a human right, which is central to human development. It demonstrates respect for the rights, dignity, confidentiality and worth of individuals, groups and communities; and for diversity of gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability and cultural beliefs. Ethical Health Promotion practice addresses health inequities and social injustice, and priorities the needs of those experiencing poverty and social marginalization. It acts on the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, behavioural and biological determinants of health and well-being. A Health Promotion practitioner ensures that Health Promotion action is beneficial and causes no harm; and is honest about what Health Promotion is, and what it can and cannot achieve. In all areas of Health Promotion practice he/she acts professionally and ethically by:

Below are the competency requirements a Health Promotion practitioner is able to demonstrate. For each course module added, select all that apply for that module.
Recognise and address ethical dilemmas and issues, demonstrating:

• Knowledge of concepts, principles and ethical values of Health Promotion
• Knowledge of concepts of health equity, social justice and health as a human right
• Knowledge of existing and emerging legal and ethical issues in own area of practice
• Proactive addressing of issues in an appropriate way (e.g. challenging others’ unethical practice)

Act in ways that:

• Acknowledge and recognise people’s expressed beliefs and preferences
• Promote the ability of others to make informed decisions
• Promote equality and value diversity
• Value people as individuals
• Acknowledge the importance of data confidentiality and disclosure
• Are consistent with scientific evidence, legislation, policies, governance frameworks and systems

Continually develop and improve own and others’ practice by:

• Reflecting on own behaviour and practice and identifying where improvements should be made
• Recognising the need for, and making use of, opportunities for personal and others’ development 
• Being aware of different approaches and preferences to learning
• Applying evidence in improving own area of work
• Objectively and constructively reviewing the effectiveness of own area of work

IUHPE Core Competencies and Professional Standards

Enable Change

Enable individuals, groups, communities and organisations to build capacity for health promoting action to improve health and reduce health inequities.

Below are the competency requirements a Health Promotion practitioner is able to demonstrate. For each course module added, select all that apply for that module.

Competency statement

• Work collaboratively across sectors to influence the development of public policies which impact positively on health and reduce health inequities
• Use Health Promotion approaches which support empowerment, participation, partnership and equity to create environments and settings which promote health
• Use community development approaches to strengthen community participation and ownership and build capacity for Health Promotion action
• Facilitate the development of personal skills that will maintain and improve health
• Work in collaboration with key stakeholders to reorient health and other services to promote health and reduce health inequities.

Knowledge

• Theory and practice of collaborative working including: facilitation, negotiation, teamwork, conflict resolution, mediation
• Knowledge of strategy and policy development and how legislation impacts on health
• Health Promotion models
• Health Promotion settings approach
• Behavioural change techniques for brief advice/intervention
• Institutional theory
• Theory and practice of organisational development and change management Theory and practice of community development including: empowerment, participation and capacity building
• Understanding of social and cultural diversity

Skills

• Partnership building and collaborative working
• Behavioural change techniques
• Organisational development
• Change management
• Community development including
empowerment, participation and capacity building
• Ability to work with: Individuals and community groups defined by geography, culture, age, setting, or interest; Individuals and teams in own/other organisations

Performance Criteria

• Contribute to collaborative work with stakeholders across specified sectors that aim to develop or change policies, and/or change health or other services, to promote health and well-being, reduce health inequities, and promote sustainable action in a specified area.
• Demonstrate an ability to select appropriate change management and organisational development approaches to support the creation of health promoting environments and/or settings in a specified area, and show how the approaches used support, participation empowerment, partnership and equity.
• Select and use appropriate community development approaches for a specified community, and show how the methods used can lead to strengthened participation, ownership and Health Promotion capacity.
• Use appropriate behavioural change techniques for individuals or groups to facilitate the development of personal skills to maintain or improve health, and develop the capacity of others to support behavioural change.