These Flying Start resources should be used to support NQPs working through the Flying Start programme.
Booklet 1: Getting Started
Booklet 1 has been designed to support you when working through the Flying Start programme. Please utilise this booklet for getting started and registering for the programme.
Booklet 2: Resources
Booklet 2 has been designed to support you when working through the Flying Start programme. Please utilise this booklet and the resources, aligned with the presentations and videos, to ensure you are thinking about evidencing your learning and development when working towards meeting the learning outcomes of the programme.
Booklet 3: Sign off for completion
Booklet 3 below has been designed to support you when working through the Flying Start programme. Please utilise this booklet for sign off for completion and downloading your completion certificate.
Booklet 4: TURAS
Booklet 4 below has been designed to support you to create and build your TURAS portfolio. This can be used to document your learning throughout your career.
Presentations and videos
The presentations and videos below have been designed to support you when working through the Flying Start programme. They should be utilised along with the guidance booklets, to ensure you are thinking about evidencing your learning and working towards meeting the learning outcomes of the programme.
Further resource videos from the NHSGGC Nurse Director and the NMC have also been included, as these will be helpful to you.
As part of NHSGGC Let’s Talk Practice Education – Learn your way series of podcasts, the Practice Education Team have developed podcasts to add to the learning resources available within the NHSGGC Flying Start Portal. The addition of podcasts to our learning resources offers staff more flexibility with their learning.
The resources within the Flying Start Portal aim to support nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, in the first year of practice as newly qualified practitioners (NQPs), whilst undertaking the Flying Start programme. Facilitators may also find these resources helpful when supporting the NQPs through the programme.
Please note: The use of the resources contributes towards NHSGGC Protected Study time and CPD for NMC Revalidation and HCPC Standards
Pillars of Practice
The four Pillars of Practice and related learning outcomes must be achieved to complete the Flying Start NHS® programme. Please familiarise yourself with these and think about which learning outcomes you may be achieving, or can work towards achieving, dependent on your learning at that time. How you meet these outcomes, will be specific to you, your role, and your practice setting. See also Pillars of Practice presentation.
Clinical Practice
Critically reflect on your contribution to the delivery of safe care.
Examine your practice in relation to enhancing person-centred care.
Leadership
Examine your practice in relation to how you demonstrate self-leadership.
Critically reflect on your behaviours and actions that impact on working collaboratively with colleagues.
Facilitating Learning
Engage in professional development that demonstrates your commitment to career-long learning and excellence in practice.
Demonstrate ability and confidence in developing and supporting others to learn.
Evidence, Research and Development
Source evidence relevant to an aspect of your practice.
Review service user participation in your workplace.
Responsibilities
It is your responsibility as a registered professional to ensure you are aware of the requirements of the programme. The following information is a list from The Definitive Guide, which highlights who is involved in the process to support you, and the responsibilities of each individual.
What you need to do: Complete the short eLearning resource ‘Flying Start NHS Essentials’
Who is responsible: NQP
Flying Start Facilitator provides support and guidance to NQP throughout the programme
What you need to do: Assign Flying Start Facilitator to NQP
Who is responsible: Line Manager
What you need to do: Work together throughout the programme.
Who is responsible: NQP and Flying Start Facilitator.
NQP meets learning outcomes for the programme
What you need to do: Carry out learning activities to achieve all of the programme’s learning outcomes.
Who is responsible: NQP
What you need to do: Confirm that NQP has met all learning outcomes across the programme.
Who is responsible: Flying Start Facilitator
NQP keeps a portfolio
What you need to do: Actively gather evidence of learning in a portfolio.
Who is responsible: NQP
Time to learn
What you need to do: Discuss and negotiate time to learn.
Who is responsible: NQP, Flying Start Facilitator, and Line Manager.
NQP completes the programme in their first year of practice
What you need to do: Meet the requirements of the programme within first year of practice.
Who is responsible: NQP
Flying Start NHS® programme supports newly qualified practitioners (NQPs), to become confident and capable health professionals. The Scottish Government requires all NQPs to complete Flying Start NHS® in the first 12 months of practice. In line with this, it is a requirement of NHSGGC for all NQPs to undertake and complete the Flying Start programme. To support completion, NQPs are afforded 24 hours protected learning time away from the workplace (see related briefing paper) and information below.
Flying Start NHS® programme information
What is Flying Start NHS®?
Flying Start NHS® is the national development programme supporting transition of newly qualified practitioners (NQPs) in the first year of practice. Supporting NQPs to become confident, capable health professionals . Preceptorship is also fundamental towards development of NQPs.
The foundations of the refreshed Flying Start programme are the four Pillars of Practice. These provide the opportunity to be flexible in their learning, utilising the learning opportunities available to them. NQPs should choose sactivities that will benefit their development and are relevant to their area of practice. Undertaking Flying Start NHS® will also allow the NQP to develop their skills in critical thinking and reflection. Completing the programme supports NQPs to generate evidence contributing to TURAS Appraisal, CPD portfolios, NMC Revalidation and HCPC standards requirements.
The Definitive Guide to the Programme provides a comprehensive overview for both NQPs and Facilitators/Preceptors. The NHSGGC Flying Start resources supports NQPs’ learning, development and portfolio development. It also provides resources to those who may or will be Flying Start Facilitators. For nurses and midwives, it is likely that your preceptor and Flying Start facilitator will be the same person. Your Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) or Care Home Education Facilitator (CHEF) can also offer additional support.
Scottish Government requires all NQPs to complete Flying Start NHS® in the first 12 months of practice. It is a requirement for all NHSGGC NQPs to undertake and complete the Flying Start programme. NQPs are afforded 24 hours (3 days equivalent) protected learning time away from the workplace. This permits attendance at protected learning days 1 and 2. These are based on two 12-hour shifts undertaken by nursing and midwifery staff, and will be rostered and planned for. The study time will occur at approximately month 2 and month 8 of employment. If there are any queries around facilitation of this learning time, please contact your PEF/CHEF .
Protected learning days are supported with facilitated learning resources compiled by NHSGGC Practice Education team. These support NQPs with their learning and development, to meet the learning outcomes for the programme. These resources include:
Learning resources utilised will guide your learning and development and support your understanding of the Flying Start programme includes templates, videos and presentations. These cover reflection, pillars of practice, teamworking and working styles and characteristics, zones of discomfort and self development, resilience, leadership, consolidation of learning, evidencing portfolio and moving forward in your career, as well as staff resources for your Health and Wellbeing.
Information related to Flying Start protected learning time
NQP Signifier Badges are endorsed by Professor Angela Wallace, Nurse Director and Fiona Smith, AHP Director. These should be worn throughout your first year in practice, whilst working through the Flying Start NHS programme. This will allow your colleagues to offer you further support and guidance.
If you have commenced in post and not yet received your NQP Signifier Badge, please email Practice Education. The team can arrange for this to be sent on to you.
Welcome to Let’s Talk Practice Education – Learn your way, the podcast of the NHSGGC Practice Education Team. An informal Podcast designed with you in mind, a resource for those supporting learners in health care. Opinions expressed are not necessarily endorsed by NHSGGC.
We recognise that at times it can be difficult for staff to attend scheduled training and education sessions. Hence, the addition of a podcast to our portfolio of resources to offer a level of flexibility for staff. We have podcasts to complement the resources within the NHSGGC Flying Start Portal. Additionally, we offer a series of 5 podcasts giving information on the new NMC Education Standards (2018). Also, one dedicated to transition to the new PS/PA roles. Both complementing the learning resources on our Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor Portal.
We are delighted that the Podcast has been endorsed by our previous NHSGGC Board Nurse Director Dr Mags McGuire.
As the podcasts are designed with you in mind, we would like to invite you to suggest any practice education topics that you would be interested to hear covered. Or, are you aware of good practice, quality improvement work or initiatives being done by any of your colleagues or teams? We would support staff to utilise our podcast platform to share the good work that is being done. We would also welcome any feedback on the podcast to ensure that these are meeting your needs.
Our podcast is available to download or stream from your phone or mobile device via your favourite podcast player. You can also listen to or download the podcast from the below.
Link To Our Let’s Talk Practice Education Podcasts
Welcome to the NHSGGC Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) resource and development hub. We wanted a place where all resources for HCSW professional development are in the one place. What’s more, we have links to different support sites such as NHS Education for Scotland (NES), our own development programmes and a sample of training courses and instructions on how to access them.
The Open University Healthcare Support Worker Pathway
HCSW interested in becoming a Registered Nurse with an Open University BSc (HONS) qualification for Adult, Child or Mental Health Nursing?
To be eligible to apply, you must:
Work 26+ hours a week in a permanent post
Have 12 years’ experience in full time education (including all school years)
Core communication skills at SCQF Level 5 or Standard Grade English (passed at credit level) or National 5 (or the equivalent) in English at the time of application
Core numeracy skills at SCQF Level 5 or Standard Grade Mathematics (passed at credit level) or National 5 (or the equivalent) in Mathematics or Arithmetic at the time of application
This information sheet outlines how applicants can check their current level of Numeracy and Literacy, as well as information on potential courses that they can undertake to achieve these qualifications prior to application (please note D&G N5 Numeracy course isn’t open for applications yet on the website, but any interested candidates could register for update/notifications).
Completion and submission of this enquiry form will automatically generate the sending of an application pack when the application window opens. However, you can also ask for an application pack by emailing scotland-nursing-applications@open.ac.uk
OU Pre-Registration Nursing Programmes 2025 awareness sessions dates
Come to an awareness session to find out how you can prepare to study nursing with the OU.
Healthcare Support Worker Central is a key tool for all HCSWs, holding recourses from personal development planning, HCSW learning framework and qualifications.
RCN Scotland has a series of bite-sized video guides for HCSWs working in Scotland! The guides are designed for all HCSWs and they cover a range of topics.
RCN web site We Care
Courses for HCSW
Adult/Paediatric basic life support – Can be booked through eESS in coordination with your line manager and should be renewed every 12-18 months.
ABLS – This 1.5 hour session is appropriate for nursing support staff, some registered nursing staff and allied health care professionals.
PBLS – This 2 hour session is appropriate for nursing support staff, some registered nursing staff and allied health care professionals, some school/nursery staff
Cannulation and venepuncture – Can be booked in coordination with your line manager, a learnpro module is a pre requisite of this course.
Moving and handling competency assessor training – Healthcare support workers can become M & H assessors within their area, promoting best moving and handling practice to ensure patients are moved safely and hopefully reduce staff injury.
HCSW’s would attend a one-day training session with the Moving & Handling team and after this they would be able to carry out the assessments within their ward /dept.
Can be booked in coordination with your line manager.
Gender based violence training for HCSW and training for trainers provided by medics against violence to support HCSW in the instance of voluntary disclosure:
Content continually developing, please check in from time to time.
The Competency Programme (TCP)
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Practice Education development programme for nursing healthcare support worker (HCSW), The Competency Portfolio (TCP). TCP is a work based programme aimed at development of the knowledge and understanding required for HCSWs to function in a safe and competent manner in order to protect the public.
The portfolio:
provides clear understanding of the nursing HCSW role
evidences competency
links directly with personal development review
offers opportunity to grow and develop
provides introduction to further study
The portfolio has been mapped to the Mandatory Induction Standards (Scottish Government, 2009a) and the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers (Scottish Government, 2009b). It also links to NHS Education for Scotland’s guide to Health Care Support Worker Education and Role Development (NES, 2010) and the NHS Knowledge Skills Framework (Department of Health, 2004). The portfolio competencies reinforce good practice through reflection, building upon the mandatory standards.
Access to the programme
All new members of staff working in a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role, including staff transferring internally to a new post within NHSGGC, will be expected to meet the mandatory induction standards and adhere to the HCSW Code of Conduct after 3 months in post (or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of six months). This must be completed prior to commencing TCP.
New to Post HCSWs
On completion of the mandatory induction standards, HCSWs should commence TCP. The SCN/line manager should contact their PEF to arrange an Introduction to the Portfolio session for the HCSW and their assessor/s. Nomination proforma should be completed and returned to the PEF administrator via ggc.practiceeducation@nhs.scot. Candidates should aim to complete the portfolio within the next 9 months.
Existing Employees
HCSWs that have previously completed other competency profiles may not need to undertake the core section of TCP. Depending on their area of employment, the HCSW may only need to undertake Unit 6 competencies which are specific to each specialty within NHSGGC. Role development should be discussed with their SCN/PDP Reviewer and PEF to ascertain learning needs prior to nomination. The nomination process above should be followed.
Existing HCSWs who have not previously had access to TCP or other competency programmes can access TCP following discussion with their SCN/line manager as above.
Employees who have previously attained SVQ level 2/3 in Care or an equivalent/higher qualification should discuss this with the SCN/PDP Reviewer and PEF for the area to determine if these meet the needs of the service. Again, depending on the area of employment and speciality, they may be required to only complete Unit 6 competencies.
All candidates will be supported by work based assessors. Candidates and assessors will be supported by the PEF Team
On completion of the above programme, please contact your Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) or email ggc.practiceeducation@nhs.scot. Once confirmed your PEF will issue you a certificate of completion.
Assessors
A key area in the successful implementation and development of the programme will be the commitment and support provided by workplace assessors. A workplace assessor will be a registered practitioner who has been updated suitably prepared for this role. They will have the responsibility for supporting and assessing the HCSW through the programme. Support for assessors in ensuring that appropriate evidence is gathered and documented in the HCSW competency portfolio will be provided by their PEF.
Bank staff
As a result of the transient nature of their employment, bank staff cannot be supported and assessed through the programme.
A new programme for Band 3 Healthcare Support Workers to undertake National Early Warning Score(NEWS) (Acute services and HCSP/Community)/Paediatric Early Warning Score(PEWS) or Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) is available to book via eESS.
Endorsed HNC in Healthcare Practice/Pre-registration Nursing
Opportunity has arisen for HCSWs to become Registered Nurses (Adult, Child, Learning Disability and Mental Health) by undertaking a HNC in Healthcare Practice at a local Further Education Institution and articulating into year 2 of a pre-registration nursing programme at Glasgow Caledonian University or the University of the West of Scotland. Further information can be accessed below:
This section is about how you, as a registered health care professional (SSSC and NMC), can prepare for the Practice Supervisor (PS), Practice Assessor (PA) or Academic Assessor (AA) roles to support the future workforce of nurses and midwives though effective practice supervision and assessment.
Background
Following publication of the NMC Standards for Education and Training (updated 2023), NHSGGC collaborated with other health boards and Higher Education Institutes to agree and implement a national approach for preparation of the roles of PS, PA or AA.
What do I need to do to become a Practice Supervisor or Practice Assessor?
Firstly, discuss your professional development with your line manager then access the practice supervisors and practice assessors’ learning resource on TURAS Learn, which will prompt you to complete a self-assessment form. **please note that self-assessment is a new learning activity recently added onto this learning resource.
Self-Assessment helps you to identify not only the knowledge and skills you already have in supporting learners, but also new learning that you may require. The learning resource consists of six units and the self-assessment process will guide you to which units you need to undertake to support your development. You might not be required to complete all six units. Please contact your local PEF/CHEF for guidance and support or email practiceeducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Protected Learning Time
Scottish Executive Nurse Directors approved 16 hours of protected learning time to enable nursing and midwifery registrants from NHSGGC to undertake Practice Supervisor (10 hours) and Practice Assessor (additional 6 hours) preparation. This applies to you if you were not previously a mentor, sign-off mentor or practice teacher. Furthermore, you do not need to take protected learning time in a block and should receive support in line with service delivery needs.
If you are a graduate nurse or midwife from a Scottish University, you should have undertaken practice supervisor preparation as part of your undergraduate programme and be “supervisor ready”. Therefore, as a newly qualified nurse or midwife you should follow the Pathway Guidance for NMC Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor Preparation (below) to guide your ongoing professional development.
NHSGGC Pathway Guidance for NMC Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor Preparation
The pathway guidance for NMC Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor preparation outlines the process that you, the registered health care professional, and your line manager must follow in order to prepare you for your role in supervising and/or assessing pre/post registration nursing and midwifery students.
Registered Health Care Professional
Discuss professional development activity with your line manager
Complete online self-assessment form and activities for those preparing for the Practice Supervisor or Practice Assessor role. Your PEF/CHEF is available for support
On completion of new learning, discuss/evidence this with line manager and confirm support
Contact Practice Education Team to arrange HEI programme and Practice Assessment Document (PAD) session and further support
*must be logged into TURAS to undertake modules
Registrant’s Line Manager
Supportive discussion to agree to this professional development opportunity
Allied Health Professionals as Practice Supervisors
Typically, Allied Health Professional (AHP) colleagues who are suitably prepared as PSs can sign-off on the Skills and Procedures sections of the PAD, but are not expected to act as the nominated Practice Supervisor.
You are welcome to contact your PEF / CHEF for further information and guidance.
Here are some additional resources from Practice Education that may be helpful to you.
Quality Management of the Learning Practice Learning Environment (QMPLE)
Quality Management of the Practice Learning Environment(QMPLE) is an online database that has been developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) in partnership with colleagues from both practice and universities. It manages information relating to the quality of the practice learning experience through student feedback, educational audits, Quality Standards for Practice Learning audits (QSPL) and Practice Assessor data.
Team Leads and staff who are granted access, use QMPLE to provide information on their clinical area for pending students. Anyone who should have access, please contact your local Practice Education Facilitator or Care Home Education Facilitator (PEF or CHEF).
The Knowledge Network
The Knowledge Networkis the national knowledge management platform delivered by the NHS NES Knowledge Services Group. It provides knowledge support for health and social care where they can search NHS Scotland’s national collection of electronic resources (e-journals, articles and e-books) along with all the local NHS Scotland library collections (primarily print books).
The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code
The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code The Code presents the professional standards that nurses and midwives must uphold in order to be registered to practise in the UK.
It is structured around four themes:
prioritise people,
practise effectively,
preserve safety and
promote professionalism and trust.
The Nursing and Midwifery Recovery Standards
The Nursing and Midwifery Recovery Standardswere created in response to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in order to support students, approved education institutions (AEIs) and their practice partners. The key principle is that normal education should continue where possible and where it is not possible AEIs have the option to apply these standards to their programmes.
The Career Development Framework
The Career Development Framework will help you to assess learning needs and plan for your continuing development if you are a nurse, midwife or allied health professional.
If you are a Practitioner, you can use the framework to:
guide your professional development moving from newly qualified novice practice, towards experienced, expert practice.
continuing to develop within your current level of practice
If you are Manager, the framework will help you to:
support discussions that take place as part of professional development reviews.
inform development opportunities.
inform succession planning.
support service redesign and skill mix.
Advanced Nursing Practice Toolkit
Advanced Nursing Practice Toolkit is a UK wide database of resources relating to advanced practice. It supports ongoing work across the sector to enhance understanding of this role, benchmarking of this level of practice and its application to specific roles across clinical practice, research, education and leadership.
Click here to return to Practice Education’s homepage.
Welcome to the NHSGGC Flying Start Portal. This portal has been designed to support newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (AHPs) as they work through the Flying Start NHS® programme during their first 12 months of practice.
Please take a moment to watch the welcome message for your field of practice.
NHSGGC Flying Start Portal – Feedback and suggestions
If you would like to make a suggestion or provide the Practice Education team with feedback, as to how we could improve the Flying Start Portal, please email: ggc.practiceeducation@nhs.scot
What is an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)?
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are registered health care professionals who contribute to safe and effective person-centred care during the three perioperative phases. As an ODP you will provide skilled care to patients before, during and after their operation or surgical procedure.
To find out more about the role and career pathways visit the ODP page on the TURAS website ODP – TURAS.
How do I become an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)?
To become an ODP you have to undertake the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Operating Department Practitioner Graduate Apprenticeship consisting of a three year full time programme delivered in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). The programme includes online training and practice placements, where you will progressively gain clinical experience.
For information on the programme structure and academic entry requirements please visit the UWS website.
How do I apply?
Applications are via the NHS Scotland Jobs Website NHS Scotland Jobs.
Applications only open once a year in the spring, with the programme starting in September.
On successful completion of the course, students are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a registered Operating Department Practitioner.
To find out more about the HCPC and their role in maintaining standards for the education, training and practice of their registrants Visit HCPC.
It is a requirement of NHSGGC that newly qualified ODPs undertake the Flying Start programme. This requires completion within the first 12 months of practice. For information of the Flying Start programme please visit Flying Start.
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About Practice Education
We are registered professionals with backgrounds in fields of nursing and midwifery and our service is primarily about making positive impacts on the experiences and outcomes of patients and those who access health and care services. These impacts are achieved through providing education and learning support for nurses, midwives and their support workers across the Career Framework for Health to enable them to deliver evidence-informed care that is safe, person-centred and effective.
Practice Educators are nurses and midwives who are employed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and hosted nationally within territorial boards. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), currently has two whole time equivalent Practice Educators who are part of the wider corporate practice education team.
The Practice Educators aim is to assist the nursing and midwifery workforce with professional learning and development by supporting collaboration, innovation, and inclusive learning.
