New preceptorship framework for health visitors launched
A new UK-wide preceptorship framework for health visiting has been published, which aims to provide a consistent approach to preceptorship across the four nations.
All organisations employing health visitors have been recommended to implement the framework, published today by the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV).
“Supporting and enabling newly qualified health visitors to lay strong foundations from the beginning of their career is vital”
Amanda Holland
The 24-page framework has set out the best-practice standards of preceptorship for newly qualified health visitors, as well as health visitors returning to practice.
It has been developed through collaboration with a wide range of experts and stakeholders across the UK, including student and newly qualified health visitors, experienced health visitors, academics and professionals representing regulatory bodies and unions.
The iHV said the aim of the new health visiting framework was to “provide a consistent approach to preceptorship for health visitors across the four nations”.
In addition, it said it hoped to create a “psychologically safe learning environment” for health visitors in practice and facilitate individualised support for those undertaking preceptorship.
Meanwhile, the framework should enable health visitors to “effectively respond to the needs of the population” and improve outcomes for babies, children and families, the iHV added.
It comes as the iHV warned that services were experiencing “significant shortages and attrition in the health visiting workforce”.
The iHV said the provision of high-quality preceptorship for health visitors was “key” to attracting and sustaining a highly skilled health visiting workforce.
Amanda Holland, professional services lead at the iHV and author of the framework, said: “Supporting and enabling newly qualified health visitors to lay strong foundations from the beginning of their career is vital to enable them to grow and thrive and achieve their professional aspiration throughout the preceptorship period and beyond.
“Enabling a good learning environment, where the preceptee is at the centre of preceptorship, and wellbeing and psychological safety is prioritised is key to success.”
Meanwhile, iHV chief executive Alison Morton added: “I fully support the aims of this much needed iHV UK Preceptorship Framework for Health Visiting to facilitate a consistent, personalised approach to preceptorship for every health visitor.
“The iHV seeks to achieve consensus with organisations employing health visitors actively supporting the preceptorship framework and ‘signing up’ to use the framework in developing locally-agreed programmes, as part of their organisation’s quality strategy.”
Preceptorship is a structured programme of support for new registrants as they transition from education to the workplace.
The scheme can also be used for those returning to work after a long absence or working in the UK for the first time.
The publication of the health visiting document follows the launch of new national preceptorship frameworks for nurses in England and Wales and a campaign from Nursing Times for improved preceptorship.
