Standard
1 - Women Focused Maternity Services
Supervisors of Midwives are available
to offer guidance and support to women accessing a midwifery
service that is evidence based in the provision of women centred
care.
Criteria
1.1
Supervisors of Midwives participate in ‘Maternity User forums’ to
ensure that the views and voice of service users inform the
development of maternity services.
1.2
Information available to women includes local arrangements for
statutory supervision.
1.3
There is a working philosophy that promotes women and family
centred care enabling choice and decision making in individualised
clinical care.
1.4
Supervisors support midwives promote informed decision–making about
care for women and families.
1.5
Supervisors support midwives in respecting the right of women to
refuse any advice given and develop an individualised care
plan.
Standard
2 - Supervisory Systems
Supervisors of Midwives are directly
accountable to the Local Supervising Authority for all matters
relating to the statutory supervision of midwives and a local
framework exists to support the statutory function.
Criteria
2.1 The supervisory team should
be such as to provide a ratio no greater than 1:15 supervisors to
midwives.
2.2 Employers provide
designated time for Supervisors of Midwives to undertake their
role.
2.3 LSA processes are followed
in the nomination and selection and appointment of Supervisors of
Midwives.
2.4 Supervisors of Midwives
work within the framework of LSA standards, policies and
guidelines.
2.5 LSA guidelines and policies
are accessible to midwives and the public.
2.6 Supervisors of Midwives
receive the Intention to Practise (ITP) forms, check for accuracy
and validity prior to forwarding them to the LSA, or entering on
the LSA database, within the agreed time frames.
2.7 Supervisors of Midwives
review midwives’ eligibility to practise annually, confirming such
through the NMC registration service.
2.8 Supervisors of Midwives
maintain records of supervisory activities that are stored for
seven years in such a way as to maintain confidentiality.
2.9 Regular meetings between
Supervisors of Midwives are convened to share information in a
timely fashion and the proceedings are recorded.
2.10
Evidence exists that all Supervisors of Midwives engage in
networking locally, regionally and nationally.
2.11 There
is a local strategy for supervision and an action plan is developed
following audit.
2.12 Each
Supervisor of Midwives has a direct line of communication to the
LSA for support and advice.
2.13 Each
Supervisor of Midwives completes at least 15 hours of approved
study in each registration period.
2.14 Each
Supervisor of Midwives meets with the LSA Midwifery Officer locally
and through LSA events.
2.15
Secretarial support is provided for Supervisors of Midwives in
their administrative role.
2.16 The
practice of statutory supervision by each Supervisor of Midwives is
subject to audit by the LSA and removal from appointment if their
performance falls below an acceptable standard.
Standard
3 - Leadership
Supervisors of Midwives provide
professional leadership and nurture potential leaders.
Criteria
3.1 Supervisors of Midwives are
perceived as innovators and leaders of midwifery.
3.2 Through peer or
self-nomination future Supervisors of Midwives are identified and
supported in their nomination.
3.3 Appropriate mentorship
mechanisms are in place to provide leadership for student
supervisors undertaking the preparation course.
3.4 Preceptorship is provided
for newly appointed Supervisors of Midwives to enable their
development as leaders.
3.5 There are supervisory
mechanisms to support leadership development in a variety of
ways.
3.6 Supervisors of Midwives
contribute to the development, teaching and assessment of
programmes of education leading to registration as a midwife and
the continuous professional development of all midwives.
Standard
4 - Equity of Access to Statutory Supervision of
Midwives
Supervisors of Midwives are
approachable and accessible to midwives to support them in their
practice.
Criteria
4.1 There is 24-hour access to
Supervisors of Midwives for all midwives irrespective of their
employment status.
4.2 Each midwife has a named
Supervisor of Midwives, of her/his choice, with the option to
change to another.
4.3 Each midwife attends a
supervisory review, at least annually, in which her/his individual
practice is reviewed and any education and development needs are
identified and a written action plan agreed.
4.4 Midwives’ views and
experience of statutory supervision are elicited regularly, at
least once in every 3 years, and outcomes inform the local strategy
for supervision.
4.5 Confidential supervisory
activities are undertaken in rooms that ensure privacy.
4.6 Supervisors support
midwives in maintaining clinical competence and the development of
new skills.
4.7 Student midwives are
supported by the supervisory framework.
Standard
5 - Midwifery Practice
Supervisors of Midwives support
midwives in providing a safe environment for the practice of
evidence based midwifery.
Criteria
5.1 Supervisors of Midwives are
involved in formulating policies, setting standards and monitoring
practice and equipment.
5.2 Supervisors of Midwives
participate in developing policies and evidence-based guidelines
for clinical practice.
5.3 Supervisors of Midwives
ensure that midwives are made aware of new guidelines and policies
and that all midwives have access to documentation in electronic or
hard copy.
5.4 Supervisors of Midwives
participate in reflective activities that inform and support
midwives in practice.
5.5 Supervisors undertake audit
of the administration and destruction of controlled drugs.
5.6 Supervisors of Midwives
make their concerns known to their employer in the maternity
service when inadequate resources may compromise public safety.
5.7 When allegations are made
of suspected sub-optimal care an investigation is undertaken by a
Supervisor of Midwives and the midwife is offered the support of a
named Supervisor of Midwives.
5.8 Pro-active approaches are
used to support midwives when deficiencies in practice have been
identified.
5.9 The recommendation for a
midwife to undertake a period of supervised practise is discussed
with the LSA Midwifery Officer, who is also informed when such a
programme is completed.
5.10
Allegations of serious professional misconduct are reported to the
LSA Midwifery Officer together with a full written report and
recommendations and these records are retained for 25 years.
5.11
Supervisors of Midwives notify managers of investigations being
undertaken and of action plans agreed.
5.12
Clinical Governance strategies acknowledge statutory supervision of
midwives.
5.13 The LSA
Midwifery Officer is informed of any serious incident relating to
maternity care or midwifery practice.
5.14 Audit
of record-keeping of each midwife takes place annually and outcome
feedback is provided.
5.15
Supervisors support midwives participating in clinical trials
ensure that the Midwives rules and standards and the Code of
Professional Conduct are adhered to.
Adopted with permission of the
South of England LSAMO
