Supporting Learning and Assessment in Practice
Edge Hill University
Liverpool John Moores University
University of Liverpool
University of Chester
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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.
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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).
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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)
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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)
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
The NMC Standards to Support Learning and
Assessment in Practice
The Developmental Framework
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2
5
3
6
4
7
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Stage 1: Nurses and Midwives
Stage 2: Mentor
Stage 3: Practice Teacher
Stage 4: Teacher
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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.
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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)
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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)
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
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
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
Workshop Activities
Group discussion
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008
References

NMC (2008a) Standards to support learning
and assessment in practice. 2nd 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
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Joint HEI-Mentor Update-Sept 2008