Message from your Training Programme Directors
Namir Al Hasso, Dr EMma Bowers, Dr Jo Horne, Jane Lynch and Aarti Makan
This month’s message is from Dr Jo Horne
Welcome to this month’s STP memo, written at the beginning of autumn as we enjoy the last weeks of daylight-saving time, before heading towards winter. However, it’s worth saying that the flowers and plants in my garden are having none of it, as they continue to bloom.
We enjoyed meeting our new cohort of STP trainees at the recent induction in Birmingham and in a few weeks’ time we will host our next online collaborative event for healthcare science colleagues from across the UK. I’m especially excited about this event, as I’ve been asked to give a talk on neurodiversity, which is an area of deep professional and personal interest to me. I’ve done several talks on this subject over the last few years and each time I try to improve it, based on new things I have learnt, or experiences I have had during the time between each talk. It’s an important subject which is now getting the spotlight it deserves and something that I’m passionate about, so I’m excited to share my learning with other healthcare science trainers in the next few weeks. I am sure it will spark reflection and new learning for me and hopefully it will for others too.
As part of the ongoing merger with NHS England, we have updated our email addresses for our individual work emails and various School inboxes. Please look out for these new emails later within the Monthly Memo and take note of them in case you need to get in touch with us. You can also find up-to-date contact details on our website.
New email addresses
We are switching over to NHS.NET email addresses. Any emails sent to HEE.NHS addresses will be re-directed. Our new email addresses are:
- EPA: england.nshcsepa@nhs.net
- Accreditation: england.nshcs.accreditation@nhs.net
- Assessment & Progression: england.nshcs.assessment@nhs.net
- Curriculum: england.nshcs.curriculum@nhs.net
- EDI: england.nshcs.edi@nhs.net
- Events: england.nshcs.events@nhs.net
- Programme Support: england.nshcs@nhs.net
- HCSApplicants: england.hcsapplicants@nhs.net
The Digital Servicedesk will remain as nshcs.digital@hee.nhs.uk for the foreseeable future. Servicedesk addresses will be changed at a later date.
Click here to find all the email addresses for the National School
Information for all trainees
The National Education and Training Survey (NETS)
The NETS is the only national survey open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students and trainees undertaking a practice placement or training post in healthcare as part of their education and training programme.
The survey gathers opinions from students and trainees about their time working and training in practice placements and training posts, asking them to provide feedback on what worked well and what they think could be improved.
Every survey response, across every profession and location, counts and helps to improve the experience of current and future students and trainees.
The NETS takes 10 minutes to complete and closes on 28 November.
Click here to find the National Education and Training Survey (expired link)
Information for first year trainees
Induction webinar recordings available on the School website
Recordings of all four of your induction webinars are now available to view on the School website. Across the series of webinars, about work-based assessment, the e-portfolio system and progression monitoring, a lot of key information and advice about the programme were communicated. The series concluded with a one-hour Q&A webinar in which senior School staff answered many of your pressing questions. If you missed any of the webinars, we strongly encourage you to catch up on what you missed by viewing the recordings.
Click here to view the 2023 induction webinar recordings
Work-based assessment standards have been published
At the end of September, we published the School’s work-based assessment standards which define how work-based assessments should be conducted and the responsibilities of trainees, trainers and assessors.
For each work-based assessment type (training activities, DOPS, OCEs, CBDs) the standards provide clear definitions and expectations about:
- the purpose of the assessment
- how the assessment should be conducted
- the responsibilities of every participant in the assessment life cycle
- who can assess
- how feedback should be provided
We would strongly advise that you familiarise yourself with the standards early on so that you have a good grasp of how each of the work-based assessments should be conducted.
Click here to view the NSHCS work-based assessment standards
Post-induction useful website links
During your induction webinar series, requests were made for key information on a range of topics, which we promised to provide you with links to. Here are a set of useful links which we would advise that you check out:
- Reflective practice resources
- Training support – your main sources of support while on the programme
- Good training planning
- ‘How to’ guidance and videos for trainees using OneFile
Information for second year trainees
Assessment changes webinar and work-based assessment standards are published
We recently invited all STP 2022 starters to a webinar about the series of changes being introduced to the assessment of trainees on the new STP curricula. In that webinar we mentioned that we would shortly be publishing the School’s work-based assessment standards which define how work-based assessments should be conducted and the responsibilities of trainees, trainers and assessors.
The recording and the slides from the webinar and the work-based assessment standards have now been published.
NSHCS work-based assessment standards
For each work-based assessment type (training activities, DOPS, OCEs, CBDs) the work-based assessment standards provide clear definitions and expectations about:
- the purpose of the assessment
- how the assessment should be conducted
- the responsibilities of every participant in the assessment life cycle
- who can assess
- how feedback should be provided
For trainees who began in 2022 the standards for in-person assessments (DOPS, OCEs and CBDs) apply.
Click here to view the NSHCS work-based assessment standards
STP assessment strategy explainer webinars
Starting in October, we will be running a short series of brief ‘explainer’ webinars about different aspects of the changes to assessment on the programme. These will also be recorded and published on the School website.
Click here to find out more about the STP assessment strategy explainer webinar series (expired link)
Information for training officers
Training standards and expectations
The training standards and expectations for the role of STP work-based trainer are now available.
Taking on the trainer role is a significant responsibility and commitment. To support you and your departmental colleagues to navigate these responsibilities we have developed this set of training standards which clearly articulate what is expected of you.
There are 5 training standards and for each one there is a suite of training materials available on the NHS Learning Hub which we encourage you to access.
Click here for the training standards and their associated support resources
Assessment changes webinars and work-based assessment standards are published
We recently invited all Training Officers of STP 2022 and 2023 starters to a webinar about the series of changes being introduced to the assessment of trainees on the new STP curricula. In that webinar we mentioned that we would shortly be publishing the School’s work-based assessment standards which define how work-based assessments should be conducted and the responsibilities of trainees, trainers and assessors.
The slides from the webinar and the work-based assessment standards have now been published.
NSHCS work-based assessment standards
For each work-based assessment type (training activities, DOPS, OCEs, CBDs) the work-based assessment standards provide clear definitions and expectations about:
- the purpose of the assessment
- how the assessment should be conducted
- the responsibilities of every participant in the assessment life cycle
- who can assess
- how feedback should be provided
For trainees who began in 2022 the standards for in-person assessments (DOPS, OCEs and CBDs) apply. For 2023 starters onwards, all of the work-based assessment standards apply.
Click here to view the NSHCS work-based assessment standards
STP assessment strategy explainer webinars and drop-in sessions
Starting in October, we will be running a short series of brief ‘explainer’ webinars about different aspects of the changes to assessment on the programme. These will also be recorded and published on the School website.
Click here to find out more about the STP assessment strategy explainer webinar series (expired link)
STP trainers drop-in sessions
Also starting in October, we will be running a series of monthly drop-in sessions for trainers where you will have the opportunity to ask Training Programme Directors and School staff about any aspect of the programme.
Click here to find out more about the new STP trainer drop-in sessions (expired link)
Getting to know the OneFile e-portfolio service: webinar for STP training officers
Join us on Wednesday 18 October at 1.00pm for a look at OneFile, the NSHCS e-Portfolio service.
In this webinar you’ll learn how to navigate the software and manage your trainees’ portfolio, training plans and reviews. We’ll also be sharing with you some best-practice tips to ensure your trainees’ successful learning journey.
Click here to find the registration link for the webinar on Wednesday 18 October at 1pm (expired link)
Managing your trainees
We have created a section on our website providing answers about issues ranging from study leave to funding.
This month’s featured FAQ is:
Q – Are training departments expected to give study leave to trainees on the STP?
A – We advise that employers facilitate a 80:20 split (or 1 day per week if full time) between routine workplace commitments and academic studies. 20% of the trainee’s time must be protected for private study, including university work, reflective writing, reading and portfolio completion. This applies throughout the programme, regardless of whether the trainee is in university term time.
You are advised to contact us to discuss difficulties in securing protected time for training as employers not facilitating this risk losing their accredited status as a training centre.
Click here to find FAQs on management of trainees for STP trainers.
Missed a previous edition of the STP Monthly Memo?
We’ve published copies of the Monthly Memo for STP trainees and training officers on our website.
Click here to view previous editions of the STP Monthly Memo.