NHS Education for Scotland
A skilled and sustainable workforce for a healthier Scotland
NHS Education for Scotland
A skilled and sustainable workforce for a healthier Scotland
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 strategy describes the way in which we aim to help practitioners, strengthening education where allied health professionals practise.
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 Programme Lead for AHP Practice Education is Susan Shandley and she is responsible for providing the overall strategic leadership for national practice education initiatives.
There are two practice education coordinators (PECs) working across Scotland, based in NES regional offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh. They provide professional leadership, coordination and support for the development and enhancement of practice-based education, working with strategic Leads for Education in NHS Boards, Further Education Colleges and Universities.
Practice Education Leads are there to support AHPs within the health boards to provide high quality practice education experiences to all learners. They 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.
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.
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.
Meet the AHP practice education network
To contact your local AHP Practice education lead send an email to ahp.practice.ed@nes.scot.nhs.uk and we will be pleased to put you in touch.
Last updated: 16/10/2023