AHP practice education

We have a team of practice education staff based within NES and in NHS Boards across Scotland. They develop resources and networks, enhancing the quality and range of practice-based learning for Practice Educators, pre-registration students and other learners, helping them to provide safe, effective, person-centered quality care.

Our work contributes to the NES Strategic Framework 2023-2026 [PDF] through "supporting an excellent learning environment where there is better access to education for all healthcare staff" and by ensuring there are "consistently well-developed educational support roles and networks to enable education across the workplace".

The work undertaken by the practice education team contributes to the recommendations of the Allied Health Professions - education and workforce policy review: recommendations - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

The Practice Education Family

NES works in partnership with colleagues from practice and education providers to create networks that support AHPs across Scotland. Within the networks there are a number of roles, each with something different to contribute.

The Team at NES provide strategic and professional leadership, coordination and support for the development and enhancement of practice-based education. The team all lead specific workstreams based on the key priority areas and work collaboratively with strategic leads for education in NHS Boards, Further Education Colleges, Universities and across organisations and sectors.

Meet the NES practice education team | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

AHP Practice Education Leads (PELs)

Practice Education Leads are there to support AHPs within the health boards to provide high quality practice education experiences to all learners. The PELs support the delivery of the national workplan and work with a wide range of AHPs from health care support workers to senior AHP leads and will help them to develop and access a range of work-based learning opportunities. They also link closely with University Tutors to support Practice Educator Training and to maintain high quality Practice Placement experiences for AHP students. Find your local PEL here Meet the AHP practice education network | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

AHP Practice Educators

Practice Educators have a role in facilitating teaching and learning. To become a Practice Educator, AHPs need to undertake a recognised practice educator training course provided by Universities in Scotland. Some Practice Educators can become 'accredited' by their professional body and some undertake more extensive postgraduate practice education or teaching qualifications.

Being a Practice Educator

As part of their training every health care professional needs opportunities and time to practice their skills and build their knowledge in settings outside of the classroom. The time spent gaining hands-on experience is essential for students to build the knowledge, skills, confidence and attitudes and that will help them to become independent practicing Allied Health Professionals.

Most AHP students have to spend up to 1000 hours of their total training in practice education.

Even when someone is qualified, they still need to maintain their learning and education. We think of practice education as describing any teaching and learning that happens in practice or work-based settings.

We use the term 'Practice Educator' to describe those that teach, supervise, assess and support students who are undertaking a formal learning placement in a practice setting e.g. hospital, community, care home, or school setting.

You can find out about educational opportunities to support you in your role as a Practice Educator here Upcoming AHP Practice Educator preparation and development opportunities in Scotland (cloud.microsoft)