Mission, vision, values and objectives
Mission Statement
The British School of Osteopathy seeks to provide our students with the highest quality osteopathic education programmes to enable them to develop into patient-centred practitioners equipped to deal with the challenges of the modern healthcare arena. We also seek to provide evidence-informed best practice healthcare to the community. We do this by aiming to be an international centre of excellence celebrating diversity in all our activities. We provide leadership in osteopathic education, research and health care; and are committed to innovation, scholarship, professional collaboration and best practice.
Vision 2015
The British School of Osteopathy will lead and develop osteopathy internationally through the delivery of high quality, evidence-informed, learning opportunities for students and health care practitioners within a modern, well resourced learning environment. Our clinical provision will be evaluated and extended to enable wider access for the public and voluntary sectors. The School's research activity will be increased, alongside a growth in collaborative relationships with osteopathic and other higher education institutions. All our staff will be expert in their field, highly qualified as teachers as well as their areas of expertise and fit for contemporary practice. A high proportion of faculty will be routinely participating in research and scholarship activities.
Underpinning Core Values
Full realisation of our mission can only be achieved with the collaboration of everyone in the School. Individual attitudes and behaviour are the key to success. The values and conduct to which staff aspire, and that we wish to foster and sustain are as follows:
- Students and patients will always come first
- A culture of critical enquiry, scholarship and research
- A respect for the heritage and values of osteopathy
- A respect for creativity and innovation
- A respect for equal opportunities
- A celebration of diversity
- A culture of openness and honesty
- A culture of collaboration and teamwork
- A desire for environmental sustainability
Strategic Aims
Aim 1: Recruitment and Retention of Students
The School will maintain and develop strategies for the recruitment and retention of students and professionals of the highest calibre at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, through:
- The development of courses in the best traditions and contemporary practises of osteopathy
- Reviewing and responding to market demands
- The provision of excellent student support and facilities, and
- Providing increasing choice and flexibility in delivery in order to offer increasing opportunities for wider access.
Aim 2: Learning and Teaching
The School will maintain and continue to develop approaches to delivering high quality learning and teaching which will embrace the diversity of requirements and needs of the student population and the osteopathic and healthcare professions, including the development of international links and of income-generating programmes with external stakeholders.
Aim 3: Leadership and Development in Osteopathy
The School will provide leadership in the field of osteopathic education, research and healthcare nationally and internationally. The School will look to increase its profile both in the UK and abroad so that other interested bodies will seek to consult with the BSO. The School will continue to scan the horizon paying particular attention to the HE environment and NHS provision in the UK, so informing its development of courses and healthcare provision and ensuring the School continues its pioneering work in osteopathic development in order to be recognised as a world class leader. The School will provide its expertise to those who request it and will provide a voice to promote its own work.
Aim 4: Research and Scholarship
The School will continue to promote osteopathic evidence-based practice, both nationally and internationally, investing in successful staff and promoting a research and scholarship culture where excellence is supported. The School will fully exploit its research to contribute to the future of the osteopathic profession and for income generation.
Aim 5: Development and Sustainability
The School will strive to continue to be a well-managed institution, ensuring compliance with published good practice benchmarks and professional standards. It will improve the use of its resources to achieve its strategic objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible, through increasing income generation incorporating new business developments and targeted fundraising where possible. The School will continue to develop management systems which are effective, flexible and transparent, and operate within a financial framework appropriate to a financially well-managed institution.
Aim 6: Osteopathic Healthcare Provision
The School will seek to enhance its position as the major provider of osteopathic health care in the United Kingdom and to develop its role as a local, regional and national centre to benefit both the academic, local and regional communities. This will be achieved by auditing and reviewing all our clinical work to inform best practice both at the BSO and more widely to the whole osteopathic healthcare arena. The School will ensure that it delivers osteopathic healthcare to those who most need it by providing environments for treatment that exclude no one.