TRIENNIAL REVIEW - FAQs
(Page prepared by Sandra Gover, Practice Education Facilitator, NHS East of England)
What is a Triennial Review?
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requires that in order to remain on the local register of mentors all mentors and practice teachers must produce, at a formal review held every three years, evidence that they have:
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Mentored at least 2 students (practice teachers to have supervised at least 1 student) with due regard (extenuating circumstances permitting) within the previous 3 years. Supervisors of midwives are required to mentor at least one student undertaking a supervisor of midwives programme.
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Participated in annual updating.
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Explored as a group activity the validity and reliability of judgements made when assessing practice in challenging circumstances. (this may take place within the mentor update, team meetings, educational forums etc)
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Mapped ongoing development in their role against the current NMC mentor/practice teacher standards.
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Been deemed to have met all requirements needed to be maintained on the local register as a mentor, sign off mentor or practice teacher.
Who needs a Triennial Review?
All NMC Registrants who are mentors or practice teachers supporting learners in a practice setting are required to undertake a triennial review.
How do I complete my Triennial Review?
Each mentor/practice teacher undertakes a process of self evaluation in regards to their role as a mentor. Frameworks/workbooks exist to assist this process. They can be found on Trust Intranet sites. An example of the document produced by the Practice Education Facilitators at NHS East of England, and adopted as a template by a number of local trusts, is available on this web-site. (Click here to view|)
Why do I need to have a Triennial Review?
The NMC requires that all mentors/practice teachers undergo triennial review in which they provide evidence that their mentoring skills are up to date. The process is a necessary condition for continued inclusion on the local register of mentors.
How are the NMC going to know if I have completed my triennial review or not?
Each year all HEI's providing courses in Nursing and Midwifery are reviewed by a team on behalf of the NMC. As part of this, the review team visit placement areas and speak to mentors/practice teachers. As they visit placement areas and speak to practitioners they are permitted to ask to see any practitioners evidence of meeting triennial review requirements. Also, they are permitted to ask any Trust or employer to provide a copy of their local register of mentors. This will show which mentors/practice teachers have completed triennial reviews.
Where do I go for guidance?
Each Trust has a framework that can be used for collation of this evidence. Clinical Practice Facilitators, Practice Education Facilitators or Education and Training departments will be able to give further advice/guidance.
When does it have to be completed by?
Mentors/practice teachers who completed their mentorship qualification before September 2007 were expected to have completed this first triennial review by September 2010. In operation, many employers found this difficult to achieve and the NMC agreed to a short extension to that deadline. This should then become part of an ongoing process with each subsequent Triennial review taking place at, or before, the third anniversary of the previous one.
What if I haven’t mentored 2 students over the past 3 years?
If there is a reason for this, e.g. maternity leave, long term sick leave or a career break, then this will count as extenuating circumstances and, as long as the other requirements are met, then triennial review can be completed. (see the next question) However, if the reason for not mentoring 2 students is because they are rarely allocated to a particular clinical area, then there will be a need for discussion between the mentor and their manager to establish any continuing requirement to remain on the mentor register i.e. there may be a need for fewer ‘active’ mentors in that location.
What if I’ve been on long term sick or maternity leave?
Evidence of meeting the defined criteria should still be completed, but may need to identify areas for development e.g. attendance at mentor update or revisiting student assessment documents. Mentor and manger should then agree when resumption of the role of mentor can be made.
I am a mentor in a short-placement area. Do I still need to have a Triennial Review?
If students are only hosted for short non-assessed placements (less than 20 days), then Triennial Review should still be completed. However, Domain 3 asks for evidence of ability to assess students. Mentors not undertaking this activity may be able to provide evidence towards this if other learners are assessed in that location. If this is not the case then this domain does not apply.
What if I haven’t been to a mentor update every year for the past 3 years?
There is a need to demonstrate within the evidence that mentors are up-to-date with the standards, curriculum requirements and assessment requirements of their local HEI. UCS maintains an on-line mentor update that can be used once in a 3 year period.
I completed my mentorship qualification in 2009. When do I need a Triennial Review?
A mentor obtaining that qualification in 2009 will need to complete their Triennial Review in 2012, ideally as part of their annual appraisal. Mentors should be collecting and recording evidence towards it between now and then.
I am a Sign-Off Mentor. Do I have to do anything extra?
Sign-Off mentors will have demonstrated that they meet the additional requirements described in paragraph 2.1.3 of “Standards for Learning and Assessment in Practice” (2008). There is a defined approach to demonstrating skills and knowledge as a Sign-Off Mentor within the evidence for the triennial review.
I am a Practice Teacher. Do I need to have a different type of Triennial Review?
A framework of evidence for practice teachers has been developed by each Trust. This is available from their Intranet sites.
I completed my Triennial Review ready for the September 2010 deadline. What do I do now?
Over the next 3 years there will be an on-going need to continue to record and develop a portfolio of evidence in readiness for the next review in 2013.
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