SPOKE completes project to support optical education providers with new supervision resources

“Effective supervision is fundamental to patient safety and to the development of confident, competent future practitioners. These resources bring together extensive sector expertise and consensus to provide practical guidance for providers, supervisors and employers supporting learners across all optical qualifications.

We are grateful to the many stakeholders who contributed their time and experience to this project. Their input has helped create resources that recognise both the opportunities and challenges facing optical education providers and will support consistency and quality across the sector.”

Professor Lizzy Ostler, Director of Education at The College of Optometrists

“With record numbers undertaking GOC approved qualifications, the role of supervisors in supporting students on their journey - whether beginning their optical careers or seeking specialty registration – is more important than ever. We are grateful to SPOKE for bringing this practical guide up to date to reflect the current landscape and best practice, which will provide valuable support for supervisors, learners, and providers across the sector.

GOC’s education standards require qualifications to be taught with an appropriate student: staff ratio (SSR), which must be benchmarked to comparable provision. This protects the public by ensuring students are supervised safely and receive high-quality training that produces competent practitioners. Education providers tell us that the current funding climate is putting SSRs under pressure, so we hope this new benchmark statement, which has been developed and agreed by sector representatives, will support them to meet our standards.”

Steve Brooker, Director of Regulatory Strategy at the GOC