Professional Midwifery/Nurse Advocate

About the course

Advocating and educating for quality improvement (A-EQUIP) is the new model and framework of nursing supervision.   The Professional Midwifery/Nursing Advocate is a fundamental leadership and advocacy role designed to deploy the A-EQUIP model.  The role supports staff through a continuous improvement process that aims to build personal and professional resilience, enhance quality of care and support preparedness for professional revalidation.   

Who is it for?

Learners must hold an active NMC registration: be employed in a registered nursing role; must practice within a health care setting that provides NHS or NHS commissioned services; must provide evidence of holding a level 6 certificate in education (ie, BSc Hons in Adult Nursing) or above (as per standard 4.15 of The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies.) Those without a level 6 certificate in education must provide evidence of prior learning, and have line manager approval to be released.

The programme delivery is designed to recognise the existing knowledge and experience of, and work with, the participants and will be delivered via an online platform.  It is expected that the attendees will be prepared to actively participate in group discussions and take responsibility to ask questions, give feedback and support their colleagues.

Overview of content

The programme is based on developing the attendee’s skills and expertise in the four areas of:  clinical leadership; restorative clinical supervision, normative function and personal action for quality improvement.

Indicative content

• Background to the development of the model
• Role of the Professional Midwifery/Nursing Advocate
• Adult learning styles
• Restorative Clinical Supervision
• Compassionate Resilience
• Leadership theory
• Change management theory and practice
• Supportive supervisory relationships
• Quality improvement – methods and measures
• 2 x Restorative clinical supervision workshops

Mode of assessment

Assessment will be through completion of a competency document.   Participants must demonstrate proficiency in all competencies which should be benchmarked and evidenced against proficiencies and experience.   In addition, applicants must complete a 2500 word essay that examines the impact of the Advocate in practice.

Both aspects must be passed in order to successfully complete the unit and become eligible to undertake the role as Professional Midwifery/Nursing Advocate.

Course structure

10 days over 12 weeks

The programme consists of taught University contact days, independent study days and a presentation day and additional hours allocated for clinical restorative supervision sessions in the provider Trusts.

Application and funding

Only applicants who are nominated and have support from their Head of Midwifery/Nursing or your employer can apply.  You can complete the online application form by visiting our how to apply page.  A fees and funding form will automatically be sent on submission of your application form, but you do not need to complete and return this as the module is paid directly by your employer.   

Please provide accurate details of your professional training qualifications on the online form.   You may be contacted to clarify these details if it is not clear.

Confirmation of your place with the exact details of the teaching will be sent closer to the start date.

Contact information