Supporting Learning across the 4 Pillars of Practice

Supporting Learning across the 4 Pillars of Practice

The 4 pillars of practice

Identifying learning and development needs across the 4 pillars of practice – clinical practice, facilitating learning, leadership and evidence, research and development- is essential for comprehensive development within a new role. Using a framework based on the pillars of practice can support preceptee self-assessment and can be used by preceptors to review progress and guide learning.

It is important to ensure that staff are supported not only in their clinical practice but also their ability to facilitate learning, lead, and contribute to service improvement and evidence-based care.

Preceptorship and the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) development framework

The NMAHP development framework has been designed to support nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals (NMAHP) to develop throughout their careers. Staff can access frameworks covering levels 2 – 4 (HCSWs) and levels 5 – 8 (registered practitioners), as well as information to support staff who are transitioning between the frameworks (for example from level 4, to 5).

The NMAHP development framework describes knowledge, skills and behaviours across the four pillars of practice with increasing breadth and depth of knowledge as the practitioner moves through the levels.

Depending on the reason for preceptorship (e.g. NQP versus a new role as a team lead) certain pillars may feature more heavily as needing additional focus, however it stands that AHPs and HCSWs should have a good awareness of how each pillar features in their role.

The Development Needs Analysis Tool (DNAT) is a self-assessment tool that enables you to use the Framework to reflect on your job role and identify areas where you might benefit from further development. This is a useful tool to be completed at the initiation of preceptorship and can be used to review progress or identify next steps as the preceptorship journey continues.

The framework and further resources to support you to use the NMAHP development framework are available NMAHP Development Framework

Other supporting frameworks including clinical area specific and professional body specific career frameworks can be found via the AHP Preceptorship Hub.

Please access the site Allied health professions (AHP) preceptorship hub | Turas | Learn

Preceptorship and Flying Start NHS®

Flying Start NHS® is a national recognised programme to support newly qualified practitioners during their first year of practice. It is likely that this programme will form the basis of the preceptorship period.

The recommendations for Flying Start NHS® encompass many of the same roles and responsibilities described above, with an NQP (preceptee) being supported by a facilitator (preceptor) to complete the programme. It is suggested that the initial preceptor and preceptee meeting outlines how Flying Start NHS® will feature in the NQP’s preceptorship programme, and both should familiarise themselves with the specifics of the programme, so it is used to best effect.

As with the NMAHP frameworks, Flying Start NHS® is also organised around the four pillars of practice.

The Flying Start NHS® programme and additional resources can be accessed from Flying Start NHS® | Turas | Learn.

There may be variation on how Flying Start is supported in each health board, please contact your local AHP Practice Education Lead to find out more on how this is delivered in your area.

You can find contact details for your AHP Practice Education lead Meet the AHP practice education network | Turas | Learn

Supporting Learning across the 4 Pillars of Practice