1. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 1 Supporting Learning and Assessment in Practice Edge Hill University Liverpool John Moores University University of Liverpool University of Chester

2. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 2 Aim To enable mentors to maintain and enhance their level of competence by providing an opportunity for continuing professional development in relation to their role.

3. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 3 Learning Outcomes  Debate the professional and legal responsibilities to support learning and assessment in practice.  Discuss the roles and responsibilities in supporting learning and assessment in practice.  Debate the application of assessment strategies and approved assessment processes.  Participate in group discussion to critically reflect on learning and assessment in practice (NMC 2008a).

4. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 4 NMC Code  “This Code of Conduct should be considered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s rules, standards, guidance and advice.”  “You must facilitate students and others to develop their competence.’’  “Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may bring your fitness to practise into question and endanger your registration.” (NMC 2008b)

5. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 5 Delegation and Supervision  “You must establish that anyone you delegate to is able to carry out your instructions.”  “You must confirm that the outcome of any delegated task meets required standards.”  “You must make sure that everyone you are responsible for is supervised and supported.” (NMC 2008b:06)

6. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 6 Five principles A B C D E 1 5 4 8 Stage 2: Mentor Stage 1: Nurses and Midwives Stage 3: Practice Teacher Stage 4: Teacher 23 67 The NMC Standards to Support Learning and Assessment in Practice The Developmental Framework

7. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 7 Responsibilities  Placement Providers:  Maintain a ‘live’ local register of mentors and practice teachers  Mentors and Practice Teachers must undergo triennial review  Meet all the Standard requirements (NMC 2008a: Annexe 1)  Map their development  Participate in an annual update  Participate in peer review regarding judgements made in the assessment process  Mentor at least two students within the three-year period

8. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 8 Due Regard  All mentors need to be on the same part or sub part of the register as that which the student intends to enter.  The mentor and student need to be in the same field of practice.

9. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 9 What is a Sign-off Mentor? The sign-off mentor is required to meet the specified criteria in order to be able to sign-off a student’s practice proficiency at the end of an NMC approved programme. (NMC 2008a)

10. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 10 Additional Criteria for Sign-off Mentors  Local register  Same part of register  Clinical currency in same field of practice  Supervision  Knowledge of current programmes  Protected time

11. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 11 Ongoing Achievement Record  “The ‘ongoing achievement record’ forms part of the assessment of practice document and needs to be of sufficient detail to enable the sign off mentor to confirm proficiency.” (NMC 2008a:69)  Nursing programmes require a sign-off mentor to confirm a student’s proficiency at the end of the final period of practice learning.  Midwifery programmes require a sign-off mentor to confirm a student’s proficiency at the end of each year. /continued

12. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 12 Ongoing Achievement Record (continued)  The NMC requires the student to consent to the sharing of the information normally within their ongoing achievement record.  The student must be kept fully informed regarding the ways in which information is intended to be shared and used.  Failure to consent is incompatible with ensuring Fitness for Practice and therefore the student would be unable to meet programme requirements. (NMC 2008a: Annexe 3)

13. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 13 Learning and Assessment in Practice  Formal Assessment Process (Preliminary within five days, intermediate and final interview)  Documentation  Essential Skills Clusters  Supporting Students’ with disabilities  Decision Making

14. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 14 Workshop Activities Group discussion

15. Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008 15 References  NMC (2008a) Standards to support learning and assessment in practice. 2 nd Edn. London: NMC  NMC (2008b) The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. London: NMC  Additional resource: www.practicebasedlearning.org/home.htm