Clinical Supervision for the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce
National clinical supervision frameworks for the nursing and midwifery workforce were published in 2023 and 2024 respectively. They highlight that the aim of clinical supervision is to enable and empower practitioners to provide high-quality, safe, person-centred care. This proactive process supports development and professional growth by providing dedicated time, feedback, and guidance in a psychologically safe environment to reflect on practice.
The Scottish model of clinical supervision, outlined in the frameworks is relevant to nurses, midwives, associate practitioners, maternity care assistants and healthcare support workers. It has three interrelated components: professional, practice and restorative.
Professional supervision
focuses on developing your awareness of professional issues and supports you to meet regulatory CPD requirements.
Practice supervision
is a professional development activity where, you work in partnership with a more experienced practitioner, to develop your knowledge or skill set and improve your clinical performance and quality of care.
Restorative supervision
provides a psychologically safe space to explore beliefs, values and behaviours, helping you process emotions you may experience in your work of caring for others.
Watch the short animations shown below to find out how the Scottish model of clinical supervision might look in practice for nurses, midwives, HCSWs and maternity care assistants.
Rachel’s story
Registered Nurse
Elaine’s story
Healthcare support worker
Maya’s story
Registered Midwife
Anna’s story
Maternity Care Assistant
Supporting resources
To find out more about the clinical supervision national frameworks and the Scottish of model of clinical supervision, visit the following Turas Learn webpage and eLearning resource:
Clinical supervision for the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce
Clinical supervision: supporting you to develop and thrive in your role (must be logged on to Turas to access)
Clinical supervision for the nursing and midwifery workforce in NHS Lothian
Visit the NHS Lothian Clinical Supervision for the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce intranet page to find out about local opportunities to engage with clinical supervision.
This includes information on how to access restorative supervision and training to become a restorative supervisor.
For general enquiries about clinical supervision for the nursing and midwifery workforce in NHS Lothian please email the generic mailbox loth.clinicalsupervisors@nhs.scot
Information on AHP support and supervision is available at Support and Supervision – AHP Practice Education
