The Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) is pleased to present its third Strategy for Research, continuing the work of previous editions. This recognises the important link between research and clinical practice, ensuring an evidence-based culture for the radiographic profession. SCoR has determined strategic drivers and a five year plan for the profession to help managers produce their own departmental strategies for research and to aid those in the profession who wish to be research active but are unsure of the help and support available.

Since publication of the first version of the Education and Professional Development (EPD) Strategy in 2002, many changes have been implemented in the delivery of healthcare. This new document supersedes the version Education & Professional Development: Moving Ahead first published in 2003 and revised in 2006. Many of the principles of practice that were outlined in that document are still relevant. For patients, staff and employers to benefit from the opportunities outlined, continual development, growth and embedding of professional skills and culture are essential. Just as professional development is required to support service delivery, the profession must work closely with employers to identify adequate resources to support development opportunities and to ensure that effort and skills are properly rewarded. Delivery of the strategy outlined in this new guidance cannot be achieved without the support of the profession as a whole.

The purpose of this pack is to provide a useful aid and support mechanism for radiographers starting out in research. The pack has been compiled by a group of experienced research radiographers and focuses on areas fundamental in development. It offers advice on appropriate training and education needs, highlights the importance of the legal requirements required to participate in research and suggests ways of accessing further information.

This document sets out the Society of Radiographers' expectations regarding employee development, review and progression. The guidance and advice includes general principles and recommends best practice in the use of employer-led systems to support these and also considers these principles within the context of the UK National Health Service (NHS) Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF).

SCoR publishes this guidance and advice document to provide additional information to support the development of consultant radiographer posts in both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography. There are real opportunities for services and service managers to use the advent of consultant posts to develop and deliver high quality, flexible, patient-oriented, and cost effective services. There is also scope for those within the profession who want to reach the top of clinical practice in both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography just as others aspire to the top in management, education and research roles within the profession.

The Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR), with the aid of representatives from the profession, produced this guidance booklet pertaining to the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR'99).

Radiation protection principles and UK legislation is the responsibility of all professionals working with radiation and this booklet provides
information and policy guidance from SCoR which should be of use to all radiographers, radiography students and radiography assistant practitioners (APs).

This important advice and guidance document will be published as an on-line document to read in the Autumn but meanwhile the advice is posted as a pdf document. The Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR), with the aid of representatives from the profession, produced this guidance booklet pertaining to the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 (IR(ME)R 2000) and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (Amendment) Regulations 2006. Radiation protection principles and UK legislation is the responsibility of all professionals working with radiation and this booklet provides information and policy guidance from SCoR which should be of use to all radiographers, radiography students and radiography assistant practitioners (APs). Radiographers with the additional responsibility of Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPS) should, as good practice, be involved in IR(ME)R matters within their local department even though it is not their statutory responsibility.

This guidance from the SCoR is provided to support the development of local radiography staffing models for radiotherapy services and takes account of the recommendations made in the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group report , the Cancer Reform Strategy and within the National Radiotherapy Commissioning Guidance. Implementation of this guidance will enable timely, responsive and cost effective services to be developed and delivered and national targets to be met and sustained.

The Society of Radiographers publishes this guidance regarding the provision of protected study time. Protected study time is defined as 'A contractually agreed allocation of hours or days per annum, to be taken by the employee for the purposes of self-directed study and other CPD activities'. This document gives guidance and provides radiographers, managers and union representatives with a clear understanding of the current policies of the Society of Radiographers in this regard.