s

Field name / Comments/notes
Title / Midwifery Sign-off Mentors – Open Learning
Code / NA3117
Level / 6
Credit rating / 10
Pre-requisites / In addition to having the support of their manager applicants should normally:-
  • Be registered midwives
  • Have a minimum of one year post registration experience (or equivalent)
  • Have evidence of successful completion of study (at a minimum of Level 5) within the previous five years
  • Normally be working in a place where learners are undertaking a clinical practice placement

Type of module / Open learning – Student Mentors and Midwifery student Sign-off Mentors will be required to attend a minimum of three two hour group tutorials during the semester.
Aims / To develop the Stage 2 (NMC 2006) outcomes to support learning in practice settings for a range of students.
For midwives to develop the additional skills required for Sign-off mentor status and to facilitate critical awareness of the student mentors developing educational role through reflection on practice.
Learning outcomes / The Student Mentors will be able to:
  • To develop as a critically reflective practitioner and for Midwives to demonstrate competency in achieving the additional criteria for Sign-off mentor status
  • Critically analyse a range of learning experiences and contribute to the enhancement of an effective learning environment within their practice settings
  • Develop effective professional and interprofessional working relationships and oversee the contribution of other professions to the assessment of practice (NMC circular 02/2008)
  • Examine a range of assessment strategies and demonstrate awareness of how to use these in order to judge learning
  • Demonstrate competence in their contribution to the assessment of other professions (NMC circular 26/2007)
  • Facilitate critical reflection on practice and demonstrate competence in providing constructive feedback and acting appropriately in supporting failing students
  • Critically analyse and demonstrate ability to utilise and evaluate a variety of teaching, learning and evaluation strategies to facilitate learning in the practice setting
  • Demonstrate confidence, competence in the development of self and others and examine their accountability as a mentor/sign-off mentor
  • Appraise and disseminate research and evidence based practice within their area of practice
  • Demonstrate competency in confirming that learners have met or not met the NMC proficiencies and are capable of safe and effective practice

Content / Taught as shared delivery with Level 5 content will include:-
  • Support roles and leadership in practice learning (NMC 2006) - preceptorship, mentorship, Midwifery sign-off mentors, Practice Teacher, Clinical supervision
  • Creating a learning environment –context of care, promoting evidence based practice in education and educational audit
  • The purpose and process of Assessment (of self and others), learners educational programmes and requirements, practice documentation, accountability, and managing challenging situations
  • Facilitation of Learning, learning / teaching theories and strategies and evaluation of teaching and learning
  • Establishing effective professional and interprofessional working relationships, Interprofessional learning in practice, HEI / placement providers responsibilities in practice assessment
  • Current issues in education, eg good health and character, disability, continuing professional development eg RAWL (Recognition of Accreditation of work related learning)

Teaching and learning strategies / It is expected that it will take approximately 100 hours of work to complete the module.
This time will normally be allocated as follows:-
  • Independent reading and blended learning.
  • Attendance at a minimum of three two hour shared learning group tutorials during which a variety of teaching and learning activities will be used.
  • Practice based learning including the assessment of skills.
During the module the Student Mentors will have the support of :-
  • The Module Leader and peer group
  • A designated Midwifery Sign-off mentor Facilitator
  • The module handbook which will include learning activities

Learning support
USEFUL WEBSITES
Department of Health

Nursing & Midwifery Council

Useful Journals:
Journal of Nursing Research
Nurse Education Today

Nurse Education in Practice

British Journal of Midwifery

The Practising Midwife
MIDIRS (Midwifery Disgest) / Indicative reading:-
Duffy, K. 2003. Failing Students. (Online). Available [Accessed 20.05.08]
Ghaye, T. and Lillyman, S. 1999 Learning
Journals and Critical Incidents: Reflective
Practice for Health Care Professionals. Quay Books
Gopee, N. 2008. Mentoring and Supervision in Healthcare. Los Angeles; London:Sage Publications
Hinchliff, S. 2004. The Practitioner as Teacher. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone
Johns, C. 2005. Transforming Nursing Through Reflective Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford, Blackwell Publishing
Morton-Cooper, A.& A. Palmer. 2000. Mentoring and Preceptorship: A Guide to Support Roles in Clinical Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Science.
Nursing and Midwifery Council. 2006. Standards to support learning and assessment in practice. [Online] London:NMC. Available from: [Accessed 20.05.08]]
Quinn, F. M. and S. J. Hughes. 2007. Quinn’s principles and practice of nurse education. 5th ed. Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes
Richmond,H. 2006. Mentoring in midwifery. Midwives. 9(11): 434-437.
Stuart, C. C. 2007. Assessment, Supervision and Support in Clinical Practice - A Guide for Nurses, Midwives & Other Health Professionals 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Assessment tasks / There will be two assessment tasks for the module. Each part will constitute 50% of the overall mark. A pass must be achieved in both parts to achieve an overall pass for the module. The module will normally be completed within 3 months.
1. academic:
Write a 2000 word reflective critical incident analysis on;
  • their personal and professional development as a MentorOR
  • the teaching session (see part 2) OR
  • the assessment of practice experience (see part 2)
2. Practice assessment:
Midwifery student mentors will be required to demonstrate competence in the following skills;-
  • A teaching skill
  • 3 assessment of practice
These will be assessed and graded by a Midwifery Sign-Off Mentor facilitator in the clinical practice setting. The Midwifery Sign-Off Mentor should normally hold a Mentorship qualification (or equivalent) and must have attended an annual Midwifery Mentors Update.
Brief description of module content and/or aims (maximum 80 words) / The practice element of teaching, learning and assessment is growing. This module will provide formal preparation to enable the student mentors and midwifery student sign-off mentors to extend their knowledge, skills and competence to take on this wider range of responsibilities and support and assess a greater range of students.
The module meets the current NMC Mandatory Requirements for Mentor Preparation (NMC 2006).
Area examination board to which module relates / UGCPD Examination Board
Module team/authors/ coordinator / Caroline Hudson (Module Co-ordinator),
Sue Adams, Catherine Caballero, Karen Thompson, Robert Kinloch, Monty Perera, Jamie Auld, Linnette King, Mark Sewell
Cathy O’Callaghan (midwifery)
Semester offered, where appropriate / 1 and 2
Site where delivered / All
Date of first approval / 2003
Date of last revision / 2004
Date of approval of this version / June 2008
Version number / 1
Replacement for previous module / ND 308 – Managing Learning Through Mentorship – Open Learning
Field for which module is acceptable and status in that field / Optional/mandatory module
Course(s) for which module is acceptable and status in course / BSc (Hons) Professional Practice
BSc (Hons) Acute Clinical Practice
BSc (Hons) Community Specialist Practice
BSc (Hons) Specialist Community Public Health Nursing
School home / SNM
External examiner / Dr. Philomena Calpin (end tenure date:31.12.11)