quality standards for practice placements audit tool

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Quality Standards for Practice Placements Audit Tool

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ContentsThis audit tool is interactive, click on buttons below to view information related to each section and to navigate throughout.

Quality Standards for Practice PlacementsRevised 2008

Quality practice placement experiences, within a positive learning environment, support

the development of healthcare professionals to deliver safe and effective person centred

care.

The Quality Standards for Practice Placements have been created so that students and

those individuals and organisations who support them understand their responsibilities

and expectations in relation to practice placement learning. The Standards apply to any

structured placement learning in NHS Scotland that is accessed by nurses, midwives and

allied health professions and supported through an educational programme.

The Quality Assurance Agency’s Precepts for Work-based and Placement Learning (QAA

2007) apply to all Higher Education Institutions and are included for reference.

These revised standards support existing professional regulatory standards and are fully

endorsed by the Scottish Government Health Directorate and NHS Education for Scotland.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health Professions Council acknowledge the

contribution that these standards make to enhancing the learning environment.Supporting information is available at: www.nes.scot.nhs.uk

Guidance

Action Plan

Introduction

Quality Standards for Practice Placements

Appendix - example of completed audit tool and process action plan

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Introduction Contents

The Quality Standards for Practice Placements (QSPP revised in November 2008) were created so that students and those individuals and organisations who support them understand their responsibilities and expectations in relation to practice placement learning. The Standards apply to any structured placement learning in NHS Scotland that is accessed by Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals and supported through an educational programme.

Quality practice placement experiences, within a positive learning environment, support the development of healthcare professionals to deliver safe and effective person centred care.

Following the launch of the Quality Standards for Practice Placements, this audit tool was developed in response to feedback from stakeholders to enable auditing of the QSPP at organisational and local level with NHS Boards in Scotland.

It is envisaged that this audit tool may be used alongside others developed by universities to meet professional bodies’ requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health Professions Council (HPC).

As such, the tool is one of a number of resources which can help practitioners to evidence the quality of the learning environment which supports all education in practice.


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Guidance Contents

Completion of the audit tool and action plan requires organisations to:

• Include evidence on how the standard is being met

• Agree if the evidence presented meets the standard

• Provide a description of the action required in order for the standard to be met in the future if the organisation is unable to provide evidence of that standard

• Complete the included action plan with review dates (A template for the action plan is given on page 16)

A sample of a completed audit tool with action plan is located in Appendix 1 (Page 17)

Guidance for using Quality Standards for Practice Placement (QSPP) audit tool and action plan

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Quality Standards for Practice Placements Audit Tool Contents

Contact Information

Name

Organisation

Clinical Area

Ward / Department

Date Completed

PleasecompletethefieldsbelowandthenclickcontinuetocompletetheAuditTool.

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Students on practice placements can expect to:Standard number

Standard Indicator Evidence Does the evidence meet the standard?

Action Points

Please describe action requiredYes No

1.1 A placement appropriate to their learning needs

Evidence of a joint approach between service and education institutions to the preparation, audit and allocation of practice placements

1.2 Access to information about the placement and the learning opportunities available

Pre-placement information is available and accessible (written, verbal, electronic)

1.3 Access to the Quality Standards for Practice Placements (NES, 2008)

Quality Standards for Practice Placements are available

1.4 Support from a named individual who is prepared for the role of supporting students

A relevant named individual is available to the student

1.5 An opportunity to discuss learning needs early in the placement (normally within 48 hours)

Placement learning outcomes and how they will be achieved are discussed and recorded/documented early in the placement.

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Action Points


1.6 An environment which is welcoming, supportive of their learning and in which they feel part of the team

Evidence exists that learning and learners are welcomed, valued and have a positive learning experience

1.7 Access to a range of learning and teaching opportunities

Evidence of learning opportunities exists which meet students’ learning needs e.g. practice placementprofile

1.8 A team approach to their support

Experience gained with, from and about the wider team takes place where it supports the students’ learning outcomes.

1.9 Feedback on their performance and progress from individuals supporting their learning

Feedback and review of achievement of learning outcomes is documented

1.10 Fair, timely and objective assessment

Assessment documentation is completed in line with education institution requirements

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Action Points


1.11 Access to support from the education institution when required

Lines of communication between the education institution and student during practice placement are clear

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Students on practice placements have a responsibility to:Standard number


Action Points


1.12 Ensure they are prepared for the practice placement by accessing pre-placement information

Students access pre-placement information

1.13 Contribute as a partner in the achievement of their learning outcomes

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning

1.14 Raise any concerns about the practice placement experience

Systems exist for supporting and addressing students’ concerns about the placement

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Action Points


1.15 Evaluate their practice placement experience

Joint education institutions/service quality process exists and includes student evaluation

Individuals (for example mentors, assessors and educators) supporting students in the workplace have a responsibility to:Standard number


Action Points


2.1 Be prepared for their role in supporting students

Access relevant educational preparation and development

2.2 Support, teach, facilitate, and supervise students according to the requirements of the programme

Students are supported to achieve learning outcomes

2.3 Provide guidance and constructive feedback to the student

Constructive feedback is evident within documentation

2.4 Conduct a fair, objective and timely assessment of student performance, where assessment is required


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Action Points


2.5 Raise concerns, in a timely manner, when a student is not achieving agreed learning outcomes

Agreed processes for raising concerns are in place and followed

2.6 Contribute to the review of the learning environment and student experience

Joint education institution/service quality process includes evaluation from individuals supporting students in the workplace

2.7 Participate in self and peer evaluation to facilitate personal development and contribute to the development of others

Support network is available and accessed by individuals supporting students

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Individuals supporting students in the workplace can expect:Standard number


Action Points


2.8 To be educationally prepared to fulfiltheirroleinsupporting students

Relevant educational and continuing professional development needs are incorporated into Personal Development Plans aligned to the Knowledge and Skills Framework

2.9 To receive information about the students and their learning needs provided by the education institution

Information about the students and their learning needs is available

2.10 Time to support students to achieve their learning outcomes

Workload expectations take account of students’ support

2.11 A support network inclusive of service and education colleagues, managers and peers

Support networks exist and are accessible to individuals supporting students

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Managers and facilitators supporting education in practice have a responsibility to:Standard number


Action Points


3.1 Support the implementation of the Quality Standards for Practice Placements (NES 2008) as part of improving the clinical learning environment

Evidence of periodic review/audit of practice placements environment

3.2 Work with service and education colleagues to ensure processes are in place for continuous quality improvement of practice placements

Evidence of partnership between service and education in relation to the quality of placement experience

3.3 Ensure students within their area have a named, prepared individual to support their learning

Evidence exists that every student has a named individual supporting them

3.4 Ensure individuals who support students in the workplace are able to raise concerns

Evidence of support networks where concerns can be raised in relation to students and placements

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Managers and facilitators supporting education in practice can expect:Standard number


Action Points


3.5 A network of support to share and develop practice

Networks exist which can be accessed by managers and facilitators supporting education in practice

Organisations providing practice placements have a responsibility to:Standard number


Action Points


4.1 Ensure access to educational preparation and support of individuals supporting students

Evidence of preparation of individuals supporting students is available

4.2 Ensure the practice placement experience contributes to preparing students to become safe practitioners

Student assessment documentation provides evidence of achieving learning outcomes

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Action Points


4.3 Form partnerships with education institutions to facilitate placement learning

Formal structures exist between education institutions and the NHS to promote partnership in placement learning

4.4 Provide access to facilities and learning opportunities to allow student outcomes to be achieved

Evidence of access for learning opportunities exist

4.5 Provide a supportive learning environment for educators and students on placement

Staff Governance Standards are met

4.6 Establish systems and processes to ensure that issuesidentifiedin relation to the quality of practice placements are addressed

Systems and processes to address placement issues are in place

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Action Points


4.7 Promote Equality and Diversity in all aspects of the placement

Educators and staff have received Equality and Diversity training and learning arrangements/reasonable adjustments take account of student needs

Organisations providing practice placements can expect:

4.8 Support from and liaison with education institutions

Lines of communication and decision making are clear

4.9 Involvement in curricula development

Placement providers’ views are represented in curricula design

4.10 Formal agreements on practice placements between the service and education institutions.

Agreements exist e.g. Service Level Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding

If during the audit process it emerges that within your organisation you are unable to demonstrate achievement of any of the QSPP standards please complete the following action plan with actions and resources required, persons responsible and review dates.

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Contents

Standard Statement Action Required Resources Required Person Responsible

Estimated Achievement or Review Date

Action Plan

Quality Standards for Practice Placements - Audit Process Action Plan

Name Organisation/Clinical Area

Ward / Department Date

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Contact Information

Name Ms A Nybody

Organisation NHS Anywhere

Clinical Area Any

Ward / Department Ward Any / Any Department

Date Completed January 2010

Example of a completed audit tool

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Contents

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Appendix 1



Action Points


1.1 A placement appropriate to their learning needs

Evidence of a joint approach between service and education institutions to the preparation, audit and allocation of practice placements

Joint service / HEI audit process

1.2 Access to information about the placement and the learning opportunities available

Pre-placement information is available and accessible (written, verbal, electronic)

PlacementprofilePlacement Information PacksPolicies / statutory documents availablePreparation for practice

1.3 Access to the Quality Standards for Practice Placements (NES, 2008)

Quality Standards for Practice Placements are available

VisibleQSPPposter/leafletsinplacement

1.4 Support from a named individual who is prepared for the role of supporting students

A relevant named individual is available to the student

Allocated support on arrival at placement not prior to placement

Allocation of student support prior to placement

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Appendix 1



Action Points


1.5 An opportunity to discuss learning needs early in the placement (normally within 48 hours)

Placement learning outcomes and how they will be achieved are discussed and recorded/documented early in the placement.

Allocated time for initial meetings on staff rotas / ongoing record of achievement

1.6 An environment which is welcoming, supportive of their learning and in which they feel part of the team

Evidence exists that learning and learners are welcomed, valued and have a positive learning experience

Student rotasWelcome / orientation packTeam approach to supportValues based philosophy

1.7 Access to a range of learning and teaching opportunities

Evidence of learning opportunities exists which meet students’ learning needs e.g. practice placementprofile

Current teaching and learning resourcesIT accessLibrary accessInterprofessional learning op-portunitiesHubs and spokes placement

1.8 A team approach to their support

Experience gained with, from and about the wider team takes place where it supports the students’ learning outcomes.

Team mentoring / supportInterprofessional learning op-portunities

Development of team approach to student support

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Appendix 1



Action Points


1.9 Feedback on their performance and progress from individuals supporting their learning

Feedback and review of achievement of learning outcomes is documented

Ongoing record of achievementTeam approach to support

1.10 Fair, timely and objective assessment


Ongoing record of achievement

1.11 Access to support from the education institution when required

Lines of communication between the education institution and student during practice placement are clear

HEI Placement visitsLink lecturer contact details availableCommunication protocols between HEI and service

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Appendix 1



Action Points


1.12 Ensure they are prepared for the practice placement by accessing pre-placement information

Students access pre-placement information

Placementprofileaccessedthrough HEI

1.13 Contribute as a partner in the achievement of their learning outcomes

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning

Partnership arrangement to learning outcomes evidenced in assessment documentation

1.14 Raise any concerns about the practice placement experience

Systems exist for supporting and addressing students’ concerns about the placement

Communication protocol Reporting procedure available

1.15 Evaluate their practice placement experience

Joint education institutions/service quality process exists and includes student evaluation

Student placement evaluation process

Formal student evaluation system requires to be in place to provide student feedback to placement areas

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Appendix 1



Action Points


2.1 Be prepared for their role in supporting students

Access relevant educational preparation and development

Mentorship preparationMentor databaseAnnual updates for mentorsMentor portfolios

2.2 Support, teach, facilitate and supervise students according to the requirements of the programme

Students are supported to achieve learning outcomes

Ongoing record of achievementSupernumerary status advice availableProgramme information available within serviceAccess to allocated PEF

2.3 Provide guidance and constructive feedback to the student

Constructive feedback is evident within documentation

Ongoing record of achievement

2.4 Conduct a fair, objective and timely assessment of student performance, where assessment is required


Team approach to assessmentOngoing record of achievementRegistered mentor

2.5 Raise concerns, in a timely manner, when a student is not achieving agreed learning outcomes

Agreed processes for raising concerns are in place and followed

HEI communication protocolNamed link within HEIAllocated PEF

2.6 Contribute to the review of the learning environment and student experience

Joint education institution/service quality process includes evaluation from individuals supporting students in the workplace

Mentor evaluationsLink mentor groupsHEI Lecturer /mentor meetings

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Appendix 1



Action Points


2.7 Participate in self and peer evaluation to facilitate personal development and contribute to the development of others

Support network is available and accessed by individuals supporting students

Mentor support groupsAccess to allocated PEFKSF / PDP review process



Action Points


2.8 To be educationally prepared to fulfiltheirroleinsupporting students

Relevant educational and continuing professional development needs are incorporated into Personal Development Plans aligned to the Knowledge and Skills Framework

Mentorship preparationMentorship databaseAnnual mentor updates

2.9 To receive information about the students and their learning needs provided by the education institution

Information about the students and their learning needs is available

Ongoing record of achievementNotificationofstudentplacement

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Appendix 1



Action Points


2.10 Time to support students to achieve their learning outcomes

Workload expectations take account of students’ support

Allocated protected mentor time on staff rotas

Workload establishes protected time for mentors

2.11 A support network inclusive of service and education colleagues, managers and peers

Support networks exist and are accessible to individuals supporting students

Link mentor groupsAllocated PEF resources



Action Points


3.1 Support the implementation of the Quality Standards for Practice Placements (NES 2008) as part of improving the clinical learning environment

Evidence of periodic review/audit of practice placement environment

QSPP audit process availableMentorship Steering GroupClinical membership on HEI Placement Committee

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Action Points


3.2 Work with service and education colleagues to ensure processes are in place for continuous quality improvement of practice placements

Evidence of partnership between service and education in relation to the quality of placement experience

Mentor involvement within HEI to input into curriculum and mentorship programme

3.3 Ensure students within their area have a named, prepared individual to support their learning

Evidence exists that every student has a named individual supporting them

Mentorship databaseAllocation system for mentorship

3.4 Ensure individuals who support students in the workplace are able to raise concerns

Evidence of support networks where concerns can be raised in relation to students and placements

HEI communication procedure

3.5 A network of support to share and develop practice

Networks exist which can be accessed by managers and facilitators supporting education in practice

Practice education networks existi.e. practice placement groups

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Appendix 1

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Appendix 1



Action Points


4.1 Ensure access to educational preparation and support of individuals supporting students

Evidence of preparation of individuals supporting students is available

Service Level Agreement in relation to mentorshipMentor database

4.2 Ensure the practice placement experience contributes to preparing students to become safe practitioners

Student assessment documentation provides evidence of achieving learning outcomes

Placement audit agreementOngoing records of achievement

4.3 Form partnerships with education institutions to facilitate placement learning

Formal structures exist between education institutions and the NHS to promote partnership in placement learning

Service Level Agreement for student placements negotiated in partnership with service and HEI.

4.4 Provide access to facilities and learning opportunities to allow student outcomes to be achieved

Evidence of access for learning opportunities exist

Service Level Agreement for placementsLibrary resourcesIT Access

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Appendix 1



Action Points


4.5 Provide a supportive learning environment for educators and students on placement

Staff Governance Standards are met

Strategic endorsement of QSPP 2008Senior Charge Nurse Review CQIPractice Teacher register

4.6 Establish systems and processes to ensure that issuesidentifiedin relation to the quality of practice placements are addressed

Systems and processes to address placement issues are in place

Audit process for practice placements reciprocal between service and HEIPlacement review process between service and HEI Student / mentor evaluation of placements

Development of student evaluation and feedback mechanism

4.7 Promote Equality and Diversity in all aspects of the placement

Educators and staff have received Equality and Diversity training and learning arrangements/reasonable adjustments take account of student needs

Equality and Diversity Policy Equality and Diversity training

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Appendix 1



Action Points


4.8 Support from and liaison with education institutions

Lines of communication and decision making are clear

Service involvement at strategic level within HEI

4.9 Involvement in curricula development

Placement providers’ views are represented in curricula design

Service representation on curriculum review within HEIJoint appointments between service and HEI

4.10 Formal agreements on practice placements between the service and education institutions.

Agreements exist e.g. Service Level Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding

Strategic formal service level agreement

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Contents

Standard Statement Action Required Resources Required Person Responsible

Estimated Achievement or Review Date

1.4 Allocation of support person for students prior to placement

Prior knowledge of student allocation from allocations department within HEIStaff member to take responsibility for student allocations

Placement leadsPractice Placement Manager

4 weeks from audit dateInclude --/--/----

1.15 / 4.6 Development of student evaluation tool and feedback mechanism to practice placements

Working group to develop student evaluation tool

NHS Manager HEI Lead

Review 8 weeks--/--/----

1.8 Consider allocating main mentor to complete student assessment documentation after liaising with team members who are equally responsible for student learning and contributing to the assessment process. The development of a team approach to student support requires some degree of structure and formalisation.

Local meeting with staff to organise team approach

Practice Placement Manager

4 weeks from audit dateInclude date --/--/----

2.10 Current workload allocation to evidence allocated time for mentorship preparation and student support

Change to workload allocation within area to provide protected time.Financial resources to provide backfillforsame

Practice Placement ManagerLead Nurse / Manager

Review progress 8 weeksInclude date--/--/----

Appendix 1Example of a QSPP Audit Process Action Plan

Name Ms A Nybody Organisation/Clinical Area NHS Anywhere, Any

Ward / Department Ward Any / Any Department Date January 2010

quality standards for practice placements audit tool

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