1. University Campus Suffolk
Mentor Update 09/10
University Campus Suffolk

2. Session Aim & Objectives
By the end of the session:
You will be up to date with the role and responsibilities of mentors/sign off mentors
You will be aware of any changes to practice assessment requirements
There will be time for discussion and questions during the session

3. NMC Standards for Supporting Learning and Assessment in Practice Revised 2008
Activity: Quick questionnaire covering key points

4. Triennial Reviews
This review process has now started for ALL mentors, sign off mentors and practice teachers.
Liaise with your practice development / practice education departments or line manager for further details
You must provide evidence that demonstrates you meet all aspects of the NMC Stage 2 Mentor standard to remain on the local mentor register.
The triennial review for most organisations will sit alongside your annual appraisal.
The NMC will monitor each organisation’s live mentor register at their review visit to ensure the correct records are being kept and monitored.

5. ODP Mentoring Requirements-
Stage 1: Associate mentor – can confirm learner’s aims and objectives. Must be counter signed by a Mentor.
Stage 2: Mentor – assesses achievement of learning objectives & signs off competencies
Stage 3: Practice Educator / Lecturer – Manages a network of mentors / supervising mentors.
6 months post registration experience
Must have met section 4.1 of AODP Mentor standards.
To attend update every 2 years
Hold a mentor qualification at degree level.
Updates every 2 years
Evidence of development every 2 years
Mentor qualification must be at same of higher level than learners.
Must meet all sections of AODP standards.

6. ODP Practice Assessment
The student must complete all the competencies in the Practice Portfolio in order to pass the Professional Practice modules and pass the Diploma overall.
The student must supply evidence to demonstrate their competence; this may include reflections, literature reviews, critical appraisals, posters etc.
The mentor will then add comments and assess the student’s competence; students must reach a minimum standard of competent in order to pass.

7. ODP Grading Beginner (B)
The student has no experience of the presenting clinical situation and operate by closely following rules laid down by others.
They perform a series of tasks without understanding, or referring to, the context in which they are working.
Developing Learner (DL)
The student demonstrates a degree of flexibility in their practice
Interprets the rules to meet the needs of the situation, maintaining the safety of the patient, others and themselves.
They are able to relate to the current situation, based on prior learning.
Competent (C)
The student is consciously aware of the long-term effects of their actions.
They are able to plan the most satisfactory outcome of a situation and take the necessary actions in order to meet the required aims.
In order to successfully achieve this conscious, abstract and analytical contemplation of the situation is required.

8. Nursing 2009 Curriculum Starts September 2009 2 semesters per year
Diploma and Degree-Adult and Childrens Nursing
Intakes September and February-Adult Dip. And Degree
No Home Wards
Less weeks without students on placement!
Community experience in each year
Credits awarded for practice each year
Practice assessed differently in each year-skills, reflections, OSCE, Portfolio
Grading of practice in 3rd yr-sample tri-partite meetings

9. Practice Assessment
Students have 2 documents-Record of Achievement and Practice Assessment Document
Only mentors/sign off mentors may complete assessment of skills/placements
Registrants may contribute to assessment, but must not complete interviews or a significant number of skills assessment
Initial Interviews, mid point interviews and final interviews must take place in a planned and timely manner throughout each placement.
Mentors now signs students ‘Safe to progress’ & must provide a rationale for that decision
Incomplete documentation or assessments signed by non-mentors will be invalid
Mentors are accountable for completing all assessment documentation
The student has a responsibility to make the documents available at all times and be available for planned feedback
Where students miss time in placement, UCS must be informed.
In cases where significant time is lost, a decision must be made as to whether the student can be assessed in practice or not.

10. Practice Assessment-Nursing 2009 curriculum
Skills within the Practice Assessment document signed off by mentor
Reflections, OSCEs and portfolio graded by academic staff with practice input
3rd yr only: NMC Four domains of practice graded by Sign off Mentor
Sign off Mentors award N,C,B,A
Yr 1-Skills assessment and 4 reflective accounts
Yr 2-Skills Assessment and OSCE
Yr 3-Skills Assessment, graded proficiencies and Portfolio

11. Signing off Skills Midwifery: Steinaker & Bell
Students must meet a minimum of INTERNALISATION for each year.
Nursing: New grading scheme
Year 1: Beginner
Year 2: Developing Learner
Year 3: Competent
Mentors only sign when year level is achieved.
No requirement to award different levels of practice

12. Skills Levels - Nursing
Level of Performance
Level of support / supervision
Level of Practice
Competence achieved (some examples)
Competence not achieved (Some examples)
BEGINNER
(by end of Year 1)
Direct Observation / Supervision
Observes
Participates
Assists
Safe in all care supervised
Performs with few prompts
Professional attitude
Rationale for Care
Can discuss pertinent literature underpinning some practices
Unsafe
Can not explain rationale
Unprofessional attitude
Within level of practice does not respond appropriately when urgency required
Does not participate in daily routine
DEVELOPING LEARNER
(by end of Year 2)
Close to minimal supervision
Active participation
Planning most activities and leading some practice
Safe in all care with guidance
Does not require prompting
Beginning to prioritise care
Assess, plan, evaluate care
Rationale for practice
Evaluate effectiveness of care
Beginning to involve clients in care
Requires promoting in practiced activities
Not able to assess, plan or implement care
Does not respond appropriately when urgency required
COMPETENT
(by end of Year 3)
Minimal to indirect supervision
( …in discussions with mentor if specialist area)
Safe with minimal guidance
Evaluates effectiveness of care and make changes to care
Critiques evidence base
Actively involves clients in care
Requires prompting
Unable to organise care
Can not explain rationale or evidence base

13. Third Year NMC 4 domains of practice Grading (final placement only)
All skills in PA document must be completed to Competent
Additionally, using the grading below, the sign off will grade the student’s competence within the NMC four domains of practice
The student will self assess at midpoint interview and reviewed with their sign off mentor
Each statement must be graded individually
The personal tutor will score each proficiency and this will go towards the final practice grade for diploma students and the degree classification of degree students.
NOT COMPETENT N
COMPETENT:
Competent C
GOOD:
Competent B
EXCELLENT:
Competent A
Student does not meet basic Competent criteria
Student meets basic Competent criteria
Can modify own practice in response to events
Situations viewed holistically
Consistently demonstrates learning from practice
Performance in practice is fluid, flexible and proficient
Demonstrate analytical thinking
Frequently plans ahead
Continuously reviews and manages own skills acquisition

14. Domain of Practice: Professional and Ethical Practice
NMC (2004) Standards of Proficiency for Pre-registration nursing
Not yet competent N
COMPETENT:
Competent C
GOOD:
Competent B
EXCELLENT
Competent A
Midpoint formative assessment: Student self assessment
Final summative assessment: Mentor assessment
Domain of Practice: Professional and Ethical Practice
Maintains confidentiality and security of written and verbal communication
Does not demonstrate in practice
Demonstrated in practice
Good application in practice
Excellent application in practice
N C B A
Student Signature:
Mentor Signature:
Date:
N C B A

15. Practice Assessment – Midwifery 2009 curriculum
Skills within the Practice Assessment document signed off by mentor
(Internalisation for ALL years)
Reflections, OSCEs and portfolio graded by academic staff with practice input
In each year: each student has a tripartite assessment to award a % grade focused on NMC 4 domains of practice (student, mentor, tutor)
Yr 1-Skills assessment and 2000 word reflection on the woman’s story
Yr 2-Skills Assessment and OSCE
Yr 3-Skills Assessment, graded proficiencies and Portfolio

16. Group Activity Over to you: Look at the given scenario
Discuss the main issues as a group
List the actions you would follow
Identify a spokesperson to feedback

17. Supporting students with learning needs
Respect and support the student’s need to use special equipment or aids
Law requires reasonable adjustments to be made to support your students’ learning needs
Resources-
Advice- CPFs, Link Lecturer, Student’s Personal Tutor, Student Support at UCS-for students to access
Mentors role-Must treat all students with fairness, respect and understanding
Provide clear instructions and expectations
Encourage students to repeat back instructions
Double check student documentation for errors
Provide sufficient time for students to complete activities within the boundaries of safe practice

18. Open Forum -
This is your chance to have any mentorship queries answered
It’s over to you ……..

19. Further training
Midwifery – Link Lecturers will be visiting all areas to discuss new curriculum % grading
Nursing – Workshops for Sign off mentors for 2009 Grading

20. Useful Resources
UCS Link Lecturers / Personal tutors / Programme Leader
Allocations Office tel: ( )
Clinical Practice Facilitators & Practice Education Facilitators ext: 8320 b:519/520
UCS Mentor Newsletter – published Jan and July and available on the Trust intranet
UCS dedicated placement/mentor website –
RCN (2007) Guidance for Mentors of Nursing & Midwifery students. RCN London
AODP (2006) Standards and Guidance for Mentors. AODP, London
NMC (2008) Standards to support learning & assessment in practice 2nd Edition. NMC, London