Item 6
Protocol for managing concerns about an appraiser’s performance following participation in secondary care appraiser training courses
It is assumed that participants and tutors will observe some very effective appraisal skills on the courses and one of the core aims of the courses is to reinforce existing strengths and to share such practice.
Equally we will all have areas in which we can develop, and it is likely that participants will have insight into areas they can develop. Another aim of the courses is to encourage appraisers to evaluate their appraisal skills and to receive structured strength based feedback. The tutors’ role is to help participants reflect on their skills, to reinforce strengths and – if any weaknesses are identified – to help participants to address these in a supportive environment.
No Concerns/Low Level Concerns
We expect that in most practice appraisals observed the level of any concern will be low. Areas for development will be discussed as part of the feedback given, and the appraiser will be encouraged to reflect on the feedback (and will have the opportunity of reviewing their performance again on a video recording).
In some cases the appraiser themselves may wish to do additional work as a result of the feedback they have received, and in these cases the appraiser may wish to review a video recording of their performance with an experienced peer and/or a tutor to get more input and to consider further what changes they wish to make to their practice as an appraiser.
Examples of practice that might give rise to low level concerns would include the appraiser -
not fully demonstrating active listening; making an inappropriate judgement; failing to explore an area fully; missing some important opportunities for challenge.
Medium level concerns
We anticipate that in a small number of cases the level of concern about an appraiser’s practice will be of a medium to high level.
Examples of practice that might give rise to medium level concerns would include the appraiser -
not demonstrating active listening for a significant proportion of the interview; making a number of inappropriate judgements; failing to explore several areas
fully; missing many opportunities for challenge; demonstrating a lack of insight and openness to feedback following the interview.
If any medium level concerns are identified, the appraiser will be asked to discuss the feedback they have received with the Appraisal Lead in their Health Board. In this situation the Appraisal Lead will be informed about the tutors’ concerns. The Appraisal Lead and the appraiser will put in place an action plan to address the concerns. (This might include reviewing a video recording, if available, with an experienced peer and/or tutor to get more input and to consider further what changes they wish to make to their practice as an appraiser.) It might also include participation in further training.
High level concerns
In the event of high level concerns being identified about an appraiser’s practice, the tutors may think it is inappropriate for an appraiser to continue appraising for the time being. In this situation the appraiser will be advised to stop seeing appraisees and their Health Board Appraisal Lead will be informed immediately about the concerns.
The Appraisal Lead and a senior representative from the NES Appraisal Training Team will meet with the appraiser as soon as possible to discuss the situation and what options are available.
Examples of practice that might give rise to high level concerns would include the appraiser -
not demonstrating active listening for a significant proportion of the interview and not allowing the appraisee to explore their agenda; making highly inappropriate judgements and assumptions; failing to explore most areas fully; missing many opportunities for challenge; behaving in a way that could be damaging or detrimental to an appraisee; demonstrating a significant lack of insight and openness to feedback following the interview.