Supervisors should not feel that they are expected to support learners in isolation. A range of training, guidance and ongoing support is available through employers, education providers and professional bodies.. These arrangements are designed to help supervisors develop the skills and confidence needed for the role, while ensuring learners receive consistent support throughout their learning journey. The following section outlines the training opportunities available and the support that is available.
In addition to employer-led training and development across the sector, please see individual education provider and professional body websites (a list of providers can be found on the GOC website).
If you are supervising a CLiP, Optometry Manchester or PSD Scotland (previously NES) FTY student, your employer will already have committed to allowing you the time and facilities required for student supervision. For more information about specific requirements, refer to the details provided for each model, and provider websites. Please also refer to the SPOKE guidance on role requirements and expectations.
For ophthalmic dispensing programmes, employers commit to a supportive learning environment with appropriate time and facilities for you and your trainee, in particular apprentice supervisors will be supported in accommodating protected study time as part of the training plan and your attendance at quarterly progress reviews. Please refer to the individual provider websites for specific programme details. Under all models, you should have a discussion with your employer as to what the expected time requirement is for your supervision arrangements will be, and how they will ensure that you have this time available (e.g. by reducing your clinic obligations) and without adversely affecting any performance-related remuneration and career progression.
University and further education college providers retain overall responsibility for their students and their education on placement under all placement models. They will therefore maintain contact and support for their students’ academic development throughout their placements and through learning days.
Optometry
Under CLiP, this will be by the university appointing an Academic Clinical Placement Tutor to oversee students on placement and track their progress. However, CLiP supervisors working with a student in their practice will normally contact the College rather than the University for support matters, including advice on the student’s or on their own development. University tutors will also have oversight of student progression and be able to signpost university processes and services as needed. The College’s CLiP portal also helps to enable collaborative support, ensuring that all involved can work together to support each student in their journey towards registration.
Supervisors of Optometry Manchester students deal with a single institution- The University of Manchester. The university will support both the student and supervisors during clinical placements.
In Scotland, the FTY will implement a tripartite model that includes a Clinical Supervisor, PSD Scotland- appointed Educational Supervisor, and university-appointed Academic Mentor/Personal Academic Tutor. This supervisory team will work collaboratively to support students' progress throughout the FTY.
Ophthalmic Dispensing
Under ABDO, supervisors register with both ABDO and the chosen education centre, where both work collaboratively in supporting the progress of their trainees. ABDO maintain records of the practice, PEL and PTS details and provide support and progress oversight for supervisors using feedback in portfolio staged submissions, during the practice visit and as general point of contact for placement queries. Education centres allocate tutors who work with individual students and as a point of contact for the supervisors.
Contact Lens Opticians
Under ABDO, contact lens supervisors register with both ABDO and the chosen education centre where both organisations work collaboratively in supporting the progress of their trainees. ABDO maintain records of the practice, PEL and PTS details and provide support and progress oversight for supervisors as general point of contact for placement queries. However, as noted in the GOC Requirements for Approved Qualifications for Contact Lens Opticians Standard 4.9, a contact lens trainee may only have a maximum of 1 PEL and 1 PTS supervisor at any time.
AS, SP and IP Optometrists
Support and training vary according to each individual education provider (please see provider’s website).
Pleasure of being able to help the next generation and refreshed my memory! There are plenty of support mechanisms within the group to help you through it. And it can be fun seeing how you can help a trainee piece all the pieces of the jigsaw together.