An audit into supervisors of midwives experience of supervision

Abstract

An audit of supervisors of midwives' (SoMs') experience of supervision and their understanding of their role as leaders in clinical practice was undertaken. Particular attention was paid to their experiences as newly appointed SoMs during the preceptorship period. The amount of protected time that SoMs have to undertake the role was explored, including how the SoMs achieved the expectations of being leaders in clinical practice. An online audit questionnaire was sent to all the SoMs within the local supervising authority. The findings of the audit demonstrated that a significant number of SoMs did not have preceptorship or supernumerary time as newly-appointed SoMs. The audit results confirmed the findings of previous research illustrating that SoMs had inadequate time to undertake their role. There was a variation in engaging with different leadership aspects of supervision depending on the SoM's substantive post. The SoMs participating in the audit gave examples of factors that impede them in achieving the standards for their role as set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The SoMs participating in the audit expressed the empowering effect of being able to facilitate women's birth choices and supporting midwives to provide high quality midwifery care.