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The NMC Standards for Education and Training (updated 2023) replaced the NMC Standards to Support Learning and Assessment and students on pre and post registration programmes are now supervised and assessed whilst in practice learning environments. As a result of this change, the roles of mentor, sign-off mentor, practice teacher and teacher have been replaced with three new roles: the practice supervisor, practice assessor and academic assessor.
Information on the three new roles can be found in The National Framework for Practice Supervisors, Practice Assessors and Academic Assessors in Scotland (NES, 2019) and also NMC Supporting Information – What do practice supervisors do?, What do practice assessors do? and What do academic assessors do? However, you will find a summary below.
Practice Supervisors
As a practice supervisor of student nurses and midwives you will:
- Serve as a role model for safe and effective practice in line with the NMC (2018) Code of Conduct.
- Support learning in line with your scope of practice, enabling students to meet their skills and proficiencies.
- Keep your own knowledge and practice up to date in the areas where you provide support, supervision and feedback.
- Provide timely feedback on student progress towards achieving their skills and proficiencies.
- Contribute to the student’s record of achievement by recording relevant observation of their practice.
- Have sufficient opportunity to engage with practice assessors and academic assessors to share relevant observations on student performance in practice.
- Appropriately raise and respond to student conduct and competency concerns and seek support when doing so.
Practice Assessors
As practice assessor of student nurses and midwives you will:
- Have previous working knowledge of supporting and assessing students’ performance in practice
- Are suitably prepared in supporting learning and assessment in practice and have a working knowledge of the students learning and achievement in theory.
- Conduct assessments to confirm student achievement of proficiencies and programme outcomes for practice learning, including periodic observation of the student across a range of environments.
- Make assessment decisions informed by feedback provided by the students practice supervisors and academic assessor.
- Record objective, evidence based assessment on student performance from a range of sources.
- Keep your own knowledge and practice up-to-date in the areas where you are providing support, supervision, feedback and assessment.
- Work in partnership with the nominated academic assessor to review the student performance prior to recommending progression in the programme.
Academic Assessors
The academic assessor works with a nominated practice assessor to make recommendations for progression for the student they are assigned to. They collate and confirm the student’s academic and practice learning outcomes for the part of the part of the programme they are assigned to the student, before recommending them for progression on to the next part of the programme.
Further information on the role of practice supervisor and practice assessor and academic assessor
Please refer to The National Framework for Practice Supervisors, Practice Assessors and Academic Assessors in Scotland (NES, 2019) and also NMC Supporting Information – What do practice supervisors do?, What do practice assessors do? and What do academic assessors do?
The three roles undertaking the supervision and assessment of student nurses and midwives
It is important that you continue to develop your knowledge and skill in practice supervision and practice assessment. A National Framework for Practice Supervisors, Practice Assessors and Academic Assessors in Scotland (NES, 2019) offers suggestions on where you could develop in each role and resources that are available. Also, consider revisiting TURAS Self-Assessment and the NES CPD pathway to access useful resources for your ongoing continuing professional development (CPD).
The NHSGGC Practice Education Team can also support your continuing professional development in the PS and PA roles. Not only do we offer different topics as listed below, but also we offer them in a variety of different teaching and learning styles to meet your needs. In addition, your local PEF/CHEF can provide bespoke updates in your area so please get in touch with them. Also, remember that effective practice learning should be a focus of discussion within your annual appraisal and revalidation and that reflection on the supervisory or assessor role, feedback from students and CPD hours focusing on the PS or PA role may form part of the evidence for your NMC revalidation.
Pre-Registration Nursing Programme Proficiencies, Skills and Procedures
As a practice supervisor or practice assessor you are required by the NMC to have an understanding of proficiencies and programme outcomes you are supporting students to achieve or the student you are assessing is aiming to achieve. Use our resources below to support your continuing professional development.
Online Awareness Session
During this session we aim to increase your awareness of the theory student nurses learn at university and the skills and procedures they must demonstrate to enter the NMC register. In addition, this session will provide an outline of governance processes and resources available to guide Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor in their role of supporting students to demonstrate specific skills and procedures. This session will provide you with one hour of continuing professional development participatory time for NMC revalidation requirements.
Wednesday, 19th February 2025 at 2pm – 3pm via MST
Thursday, 13th March 2025 at 2pm – 3pm via MST
Download the Pre-Registration Nursing Proficiencies, Skills and Procedures slide set
Audio Podcast
**coming soon**
Listen at a time and place convenient to you, our audio podcast featuring your PEF colleagues discussing the role of the practice supervisor and practice assessor in supporting nursing students to demonstrate the proficiencies, skills and procedures required to enter the NMC register.
Staff guide to new NMC Skills and Procedures for student nurses undertaking pre-registration 2020 programmes
The NMC (2018) Future Nurse Standards contain some nursing skills and procedures that were not previously taught or assessed in practice. The Staff Guide to the new NMC skills and procedures (NHSGGC, 2023) will assist you when supporting these students and give you detail of when and how students will be provided with the theoretical underpinning to the skills and procedures and when they are able to undertake them in practice and/or simulation.
Reasonable Adjustments
Having an awareness of how you can support students with a disability to achieve proficiency is important in your role as their practice supervisor or assessor. Use our resources below to support your continuing professional development.
Online Session
During this session we aim to increase your awareness of reasonable adjustments. We will provide examples of situations that may require reasonable adjustments, the impact these may have on students, and how you as their practice supervisor or assessor can support them within the practice learning environment.
Furthermore, the session also provides you with opportunity to discuss what constitutes a reasonable adjustment, learning development support plans, interim feedback meetings and additional supports available and will provide you with one hour of continuing professional development participatory time for NMC revalidation requirements.
Please note this is a generic session and if you required information on specific topics such as anxiety, dyslexia or religion and culture, please contact your PEF or CHEF.
Thursday, 27th February 2025 at 1.30pm – 3pm via MST
Download the Practice Supervisor Practice Assessor Reasonable Adjustments slide set
Audio Podcast
Listen to our audio podcast on reasonable adjustment and supporting student with dyslexia in the practice learning environment.
Reasonable Adjustments in the Practice Setting – NHS Education for Scotland Learning Resource
The aim of this three part, NHS Education for Scotland learning resource is to guide you in your role as PS or PA when you are, or will be, working with a student where reasonable adjustments should be considered to allow the student to safely perform during their practice placement or learning experience with you.
Reasonable Adjustments – Frequently Asked Questions
Download your own copy of our Reasonable Adjustments FAQ or see the list below.
Download your own copy of our Reasonable Adjustments FAQ or see the list below.
What are reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are changes that organisations and people providing services must make if someone’s physical or mental disability puts them at a disadvantage compared with others who aren’t disabled (GOV.UK)
How do reasonable adjustments relate to students?
At the application stage of the programme for the student, the HEI will determine if a student is able to meet the requirements of the programme. That is, will they be able to satisfactorily achieve all NMC proficiencies, skills and procedures taking into account their disability and what, if any, reasonable adjustments can be put in place.
However it is important to note that students may only disclose or be aware that they require a reasonable adjustments once they have already started their training.
Students represent our diverse society and therefore equality and diversity needs for all students must be considered.
What are examples of reasonable adjustments?
- Changing the recruitment process so a candidate can be considered for a job
- Doing things another way, such as allowing someone with social anxiety disorder to have their own desk instead of hot desking.
- Making physical changes to the workplace, like installing a ramp for a wheelchair user or audio-visual fire alarm for a deaf person.
- Letting a disabled person work somewhere else, such as on the ground floor for a wheelchair user.
- Changing their equipment, for instance providing a special keyboard if they have arthritis.
(Above examples provided by GOV.UK)
What are the legal requirements of reasonable adjustments?
Equality Act 2010: Duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for their staff
The general definition of disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 is “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to day activities”. The Act defines long-term in this context as having lasted, or being likely to last for at least 12 months or the rest of the person’s life. Substantial is defined as more than minor or trivial.
What types of reasonable adjustments considerations could we have to manage in practice?
- Student with dyslexia. One example could be a student that requires some extra time to complete documentation.
- Student with religious or cultural needs. One example could be a Muslim student who requests use of a private area to pray.
- Student with carer commitments. On example could be a student that has an elderly parent and has carer duties.
- Student with anxiety. One example could be a student that suffers from anxiety and finds delivering handovers particularly challenging.
- Student who requests flexible working due to childcare commitments. One example could be a single parent who struggles to work nightshift.
Please note that for such examples there are no hard and fast rules. Each request needs to be carefully considered at an individual level and impact on students learning or the areas ability to accommodate have to be carefully considered.
Who can support staff with students requiring reasonable adjustments?
In the first instance your local PEF can support. If you are unsure of who your local PEF is, please check via the NHS GGC Practice Education website.
Link Academic Assessor for your area can also assist.
When would I be made aware that a student has a reasonable adjustment in place?
Students may have a RAP in place before starting their placement. This may have been part of their induction university or put in place during their course. Occasionally a pre placement meeting is required to discuss the student and their reasonable adjustments request.
There is also an opportunity to discuss at the Initial meeting with your student. This should take place within the first 48 hours of starting placement.
Please see the students Practice Education Document.
What if I think my student may require a reasonable adjustment, for example, dyslexia and they are not disclosing?
It is the student’s decision to disclose, however the NMC does recommend that students disclose.
If a student has not disclosed an individual learning requirement/disability and you have a concern about their knowledge or practice, you would follow the same process outlined in the Practice Learning Support Protocol to ensure a fair support and assessment to your students.
The advice would be to have a chat with your local PEF or CHEF.
What can I do to support my student with a reasonable adjustment?
This would be dependent on what the reasonable adjustment was. It is a good idea to have a learning development support plan in place and review throughout the placement.
What resources are available?
Multi Faith Resource (TURAS log-in required)
How can the university help?
The students can link in with their personal tutor to access support services offered by their university.
What about assessing students with a reasonable adjustment in place?
Reasonable adjustments can allow a student with an individual requirement to achieve a competency or meet a standard. However professional standards and competencies must be maintained (NMC, 2019)
It is the students decision and responsibility to disclose they have a specific learning need.
The student can still fail even if they have reasonable adjustments in place if they don’t meet the required standard. There remains a duty to safeguard and protect the public.
What if my student requests flexible working?
- Employers must deal with requests in a ‘reasonable manner’
- Examples of handling requests in a reasonable manner include:
- Assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the application
- discussing possible alternatives to the request
- Offering an appeal process
- GOV.UK – Flexible Working
What are the key messages?
- Discuss with all students if they have any individual requirements
- Always seek advice from the University and or PEF if you are unsure how to best support a student
- Never lower the standard of competence required when implementing reasonable adjustments
- Seek regular feedback on whether reasonable adjustments are meeting the needs of the student and record within student documentation
- Complete a fair assessment
Other Learning Resources Related to Reasonable Adjustments
Practice Assessment Document (PAD)
Online Session
During this session we aim to provide a general overview of the PAD. In addition to discussing the role of the Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor, this session will provide information and encourage discussion on the topics of student assessment, grading and the proficiencies, skills and procedures that students must achieve, as well as the principles of learning development support planning.
This session will provide you with one hour of continuing professional development participatory time for NMC revalidation requirements.
PAD Resources
Designed by the Practice Education Team, this interactive PAD resource will provide you with information and guidance on how to complete the different sections of the Practice Assessment Document. From recommended timelines for each stage of the student journey, who completes the different sections, to clear and simple examples of evidence needed for each platform.
You might find it useful to access the relevant university/field specific Practice Assessment Document to review a particular section or if you require additional PAD pages these can be printed from the relevant Practice Assessment Document (Please note that NHS Scotland log-in required).
Our grading rubric calculator with worked example demonstrates how to use Glasgow Caledonian University’s grading rubric (Please note that Desktop MS Excel App required).
Addressing Student Competency Requirements
Learning Development Support Planning
Learning Development Support Plans are used to support students to meet specific objectives, particularly if they face challenges in achieving level of knowledge and/or skills required by their educational programme or if there are concerns regarding their professional practice. We have compiled a number of sample plans that you can use to help you to write an effective Learning Development Support Plan to support your students to progress in their practice learning environment.
**Coming Soon** Our Learning Development Planning Resource will give you useful information on how to write a LDSP, whose responsibility it is and how to implement them. Use this in conjunction with our assessment and grading terminology document to help you to write an effective LDSP.
Supporting a student with additional competency requirements
**Coming Soon**
This short presentation will give you an insight into ways in which you can support student nurses with additional competency requirements in practice and provide robust assessment.
Audio Podcast
** Coming soon**
Listen to our podcast featuring a practice assessor sharing their experience of supporting a student with additional competency requirements.
This page contains information on funding opportunities and access to live alcohol and drug related consultations for comment.
These will be removed when the funding application or consultation period ends.
Working in our team means you can also access a wide range of other information that may help you and your families to stay healthy, active and connected. Below are some links to a wide range of additional resources on topics like energy at home, travel, sustainability and healthy living.
Public Transport Information
Search door-to-door public transport journey options to NHS healthcare facilities with Public Transport Information
Travel Information For Staff
Travel Information for Staff helps find information, links and various initiatives that makes it cheaper, easier and more environmentally sustainable for staff to travel to and from their place of work and between sites.
Home Energy Scotland
Home Energy Scotland offers free, impartial advice on energy saving, keeping warm at home, renewable energy, greener travel, cutting water waste and more.
If you’re struggling to heat your home, you could be eligible for support from the Scottish Government funded Warmer Homes Scotland programme to help make your home warmer and cosier.
Sustainability
Zero Waste Scotland has the facts to help everyone end the climate crisis by wasting less and making things last instead.
Stop Smoking Support
Stop Smoking Support – Quit Your Way services offer free information, advice and support, including nicotine replacement therapy, to those who want to stop smoking.
Manage Your Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight or losing some weight has real health benefits.
Active Staff
The Active Staff Programme was set up to protect and promote health in the workplace by providing a range of free opportunities for all NHSGGC/HSCP staff to engage in activities that support good mental and physical health.
Working for NHSGGC comes with a range of discounts and staff benefits. You can find out more and sign up to benefit from these using the links below.
Benefits
Blue Light Card
For just £4.99, members of the Blue Light community can register for 2-years access to more than 15,000 discounts from large national retailers to local businesses across categories such as holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more.
Public Transport
Public Transport offers summary of benefits;
- 20% discount on public transport ticket bundles and 4 weekly tickets for First Bus via Commuter Travel Club.
- Save up to 25% compared to buying your public transport season ticket on a weekly basis.
- Discount on ScotRail season tickets now at approximately 40%.
- New ticket option now available for Glasgow Tripper ticket. Travel on multiple bus companies with the one ticket.
- SPT ZoneCard ticket now in Smartcard format.
- Annual ticket options for First Bus, Glasgow Tripper, ScotRail and SPT ZoneCard. Deductions are taken directly from your weekly/monthly salary saving you the initial outlay.
- Easy one off process each year.
- No more waiting in a queue for that weekly ticket.
Health Service Discounts
Exclusive Health Service Discounts, cashback & vouchers for NHS & Healthcare Workers.
All employees are able to access online learning and development opportunities. You can find out more at the links below, or speak to your Team Leader for more information if you are unsure about which you should sign up for.
Training and Learning Opportunities
We have a range of courses available for enrolment. Please speak with your Team Leader for more information and to find the right course for you.
Upcoming Induction Dates
All staff within Facilities complete a three day induction programme prior to starting in their sites, to ensure that all basic training is covered. This induction includes completing their REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene training. The dates for the next induction sessions are as follows:
- Wednesday, 11th December 2024
- Wednesday, 08th January 2024
- Wednesday, 22nd January 2024
- Wednesday, 05th February 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to enrol in a course?
Many of the courses on offer can are offered on a first come, first served basis, and while some are available to certain roles only, there are a wide range of training opportunities that are open to everyone. Please speak to your supervisor if you aren’t sure whether a course is available for you, or if it will fit your needs.
How do I apply for a course?
Most courses will need you to apply online, usually via a Form. You may need an email address to receive confirmation or to access a course. Your supervisor can help if you’re unsure.
Can I take the course during work hours?
All staff have some time available within their working hours for training and development. Sometimes we can’t have all staff off the floor at any one time, so please check with your supervisor or manager if you are unsure.
Will I need to sign a learning agreement?
It will depend on each individual course whether this is required or not. The majority of our courses won’t need you to sign an agreement, but if your course is funded or accredited, it’s likely that you will have to sign a learning agreement.
What happens if I fail or don’t complete the course?
We encourage participants to fully complete any course they commit to, and to try to pass the test, if there is one, at the end. For some specific training courses, you will need to pass the test before progressing further in your career. Any courses, including those hosted online, come at a significant cost to the organisation. Drop-outs from courses therefore costs the organisation money, and we’d rather invest that money in your development, so we ask all staff to do their utmost to finish the course. If you have specific circumstances that prevent this, please discuss them with your line manager first.
Can I enrol in more than one course at a time?
It depends. Some courses have long waiting lists, and if you apply for multiple courses these may be offered at the same time. We want to ensure that all staff have the opportunity to develop, so please ensure that you only apply for relevant courses and if you are offered a place on different ones at the same time, especially if it impacts on your working hours or ability to complete them, please discuss with your supervisor.
Will I need to report my progress during the course?
It depends. If you’re attending college and completing a course that takes a significant period of time, it would be good practice to have regular discussions with your manager about your progress, and any challenges you might be facing. If you are completing some online learning, it might be useful to discuss how you got on with it when you complete it. Speak to your supervisor for more advice.
Many staff groups continue to be affected by the cost of living pressures we face. You can find various support services and useful links that may be able to help below.
Access To Payslip
As part of Self Service you will be able to view, print and/or save an electronic copy of your payslip. Access your payslip
Please note, only staff who currently have access to e-payslips can use this function. We are working to expand access to e-payslip to more staff in the coming months.
Credit Union
NHS Credit Union are here to help and care for the financial health and well being of members across our NHS common bond, from Shetland to Sheffield. Currently 24,000 strong and growing.
NHS Pension Scheme
Access to a high quality occupational NHS Pension Scheme is an important and valuable benefit for all NHS Scotland staff. As a scheme member, you get an excellent package of pension benefits which are index linked and guaranteed by the Government.
All About Money
Would you like help to manage your money better? Is Money a worry for you? It’s All About Money
Benefits
Benefits – GOV.UK includes eligibility, appeals, tax credits and Universal Credit.
Money Helper
Contact Money Helper for money guidance that’s impartial and free to use, whether that’s online or over the phone. Whatever your query we’re here to help. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll point you in the right direction of someone who does.
Citizens Advice Scotland
Advice provided by Citizens Advice Scotland is free, independent, confidential, impartial and available to everyone.
Home Energy Scotland
Home Energy Scotland are here to offer free advice and support to help you make your home warmer, reduce energy bills, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. Our service is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Energy Saving Trust. We are committed to positively impacting the lives of people throughout Scotland.
Worrying about Money?
Advice and support is available if you’re struggling to make ends meet.
Useful Links
Staff Hub is the place to find important information, updates, and resources for all staff. Stay up to date with the latest news and access everything you need to support your work.
Director’s Message
Welcome to the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ( NHSGGC) Estates and Facilities web site.
I am Tom Steele, and it is with great pride that I lead such an outstanding team across our healthcare and administrative facilities. I joined NHSGGC in October 2018 and prior to that I worked in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Forth Valley and NHS National Services Scotland. My early career started in February 1986 and I had no idea at that time that I would effectively spend the rest of my career in NHS healthcare.
My first role, “ Works Services Technician”, equivalent to Band 2 nowadays was working in the hospital estates team involved with maintenance activity and small improvement projects. This experience stood me in good stead for on the job learning and I was also fortunate to have the support of the organisation to attend further education colleges for a few years. I was always keen to learn from anyone who would listen, so my advice to anyone would be to ask inquiring questions, and keep doing so – every day is a learning day. My job roles changed throughout the years and I was again fortunate to attend university and gain further educational qualifications, albeit I was probably 30+ years old by this time, so it’s never too late to go to university.
Our Directorate plays a vital role in supporting and enabling clinical services across NHSGGC and we are tasked with the crucial responsibility of ensuring that all facilities are functioning optimally. Our Directorate operates at strategic and operational levels, which not only manages the upkeep of our existing facilities, but also plans for future developments, adhering to legal and environmental standards. Our services are delivered 24/7, 365 days a year to all departments to ensure patient and workplace safety, efficiency, and sustainability which are integral to organisational success.
Our contribution to patient safety and their satisfaction can only be delivered through our staff, all of whom play an equal role, and our continued desire to improve is testament to a progressive and customer focussed team.
Current Briefs & Updates
Estates and Facilities Directorate Team Brief
Get the latest updates and insights from this month’s team for Estates & Facilities brief.
Core Briefs
Core Brief is our regular employee update and provides important updates across a variety of topics, ranging from operational and site specific information, through to messages for our staff from our Chief Executive.
Team Talk
As part of our ongoing commitment to listening to and engaging with our staff, we have launched a new communications platform – Team Talk.
Team Talk aims to distil the four most important pieces of information we’d like all staff to be aware of and engaged with each month.
Celebrating Success
Staff all across the Estates and Facilities Directorate are working hard and doing great things every day. Please submit your teams’ Good News or Success Stories to us and we will share them here.
Ideas and Suggestions
Submit your ideas and suggestions to help us improve and innovate.
In the Staff Support page you can find links to a variety of resources that are designed to help staff understand their role and how NHSGGC operates.
See more at the links below.
Staff Support
NHS Workforce Policies
NHS Workforce Policies developed nationally in partnership with NHSScotland employers, trade unions and the Scottish Government, these policies and associated supporting documents set the standard for employment practice all our Boards follow.
Self-Referral and Counselling
All NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employees can access Self Referrals and Counselling through the Occupational Health Service to receive a wide range of support services.
Civility Saves Lives
Civility Saves Lives are healthcare professionals aiming to raise awareness of the power of civility in patient care and the impacts of incivility on teamwork and patient outcomes.
Healthy Working Lives
Healthy Working Lives is a support and referral service for NHS staff absent – or at risk of absence – from work due to health conditions.
Peer Support
We know that when people feel supported and heard, it has a positive impact on their wellbeing and resilience through Peer Support Network
Popular Links
Annual Leave Calculator
Annual leave calculator is a helpful tool to help employees calculate their annual leave entitlement in hours.
Flexible Work Pattern
Flexible Work Pattern Policy is a framework to support employees when they request, or managers propose options for flexible work patterns.
Attendance Policy
Attendance Policy aims to encourage and support employee attendance, where health impacts their ability to be at work.
Additional Support and Resources
Mental Health
Mental health will help to identify, treat and manage mental health problems and disorders.
Breathing Space
Sometimes our thoughts and feelings can overwhelm us. It helps to get some Breathing Space.
Bereavement Support
Grief can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to deal with it alone as Bereavement Support is here to help.
If your enquiry is urgent or you would prefer to talk to one of the HR Assistants please contact us by telephone 0141 278 2700 option 2. The team are available at the following times:
- Monday – 9.00am until 4.00pm
- Tuesday – 9.00am until 4.00pm
- Wednesday – 9.00am until 4.00pm
- Thursday – 12.00pm until 4.00pm
- Friday – 9.00am until 4.00pm