»ÆÍø±¬ÁÏ

Middlesex nursing students working with practice supervisors in a clinical simulation suite’

Practice Based Learning Unit

The Practice Based Learning Unit (PBLU) ensures high‑quality, safe and supportive practice learning for Middlesex University Nursing, Student Nurse Associates and Midwifery students.

We work with clinical partners and academic teams to lead educational audits, provide resources for supervisors and assessors, and deliver the electronic Practice Assessment Document (ePAD) across the Pan London network. Our aim is to help every learner thrive and ensure every placement supports high-quality practice learning.

Students’ learning in practice is our priority. We work with clinical partners to provide safe and supportive placements. We equip supervisors and assessors to help students succeed. We also deliver ePAD so that students’ progress is clear, consistent, and recognised across London.

Our work supports Middlesex University Strategy 2031. We put students at the heart of decisions, work in partnership, and support equity in health and wellbeing.

PBLU at a glance

  • Quality assurance of placements through Pan‑London educational audits and agreements
  • Practice learning support for students, practice supervisors, practice assessors and academic staff
  • Digital assessment via ePAD and eMORA, aligned to NMC standards
  • Partnership working with NHS and PIVO to expand and enhance learning environments
  • Continuous improvement through student evaluations, debriefs and data‑driven action
  • Partnership working with Middlesex University Placement team and clinical partners Education Team’s.

What we do

checklist
Quality Assurance

We oversee educational audits and placement agreements. This work helps ensure that learning environments are safe, supportive, and effective.

clinical_notes
Practice Learning Support

We provide guidance and resources for students, practice supervisors, practice assessors, and academic staff.

laptop_mac
Innovation in Assessment

We lead the implementation of the electronic Practice Assessment Document (ePAD) across Middlesex University and the Pan London region.

groups
Collaboration

We work closely with the Pan London Practice Learning Group (PLPLG). Together, we standardise and improve practice learning across London.

Support

Support

PBLU supports students and staff who raise concerns or complaints about clinical practice. We follow the . We also work with NHS England in London on standardised flowcharts, concerns logs, and reporting cycles.

PBLU supports and guides the University Practice Lead roles at Middlesex. University Practice Leads work with NHS and PIVO teams to provide strategic oversight and direct support for students.

Their activities include:

  • Drop-in sessions, student forums, clinical visits, and Teams meetings
  • Support with concerns and complaints, and guidance on University processes
  • Support with ePAD, assessment, and Action Plans, and signposting for staff development.

Our forums help Academic Assessors understand their NMC responsibilities. These include periodic ePAD reviews and confirmation of End of Part and End of Programme outcomes.

The sessions explain the roles of Practice Assessors and Academic Assessors. They also cover placement structures and the support available when concerns arise.

Participants learn how to find essential evidence in ePAD. This includes professional values, part-specific and crossover proficiencies, and feedback. They also learn how to support students effectively in line with national standards.

Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance

The department and faculty support more than 2,000 students. PBLU collects student placement evaluations through ePAD, holds debriefs with partner organisations, and regularly shares findings with practice partners.

This data-driven approach supports reflective practice. It also improves students’ experiences and outcomes.

PBLU leads and supports ePAD, the digital platform used to assess nursing and midwifery students in clinical practice.

The platform has a streamlined interface, web and mobile access, and offline functionality. It simplifies documentation and enables real-time feedback and progress tracking.

Academic Assessors and Practice Assessors use ePAD to monitor development and confirm achievement of NMC standards.

Guidance from PLPLG is available for:

Technical support:

Email epad@mdx.ac.uk. Support is available to Middlesex students, staff, and clinical partners who use ePAD or eMORA.

Partnership

Partnership

We work with NHS and PIVO providers to support, improve, and create learning environments. Our partners include Directors of Nursing, education leads, and teams involved in student supervision and assessment.

Our work beyond the NHS includes social care, hospices, special schools, private hospitals, and services for people with intellectual disabilities.

These reciprocal relationships support pre-registration students. They also create professional development opportunities for the Placement Team and inform our teaching.

PBLU and its healthcare partners form a collaborative group. The group promotes excellence in supervision, assessment, and learning environments in line with national standards.

Its areas of focus include:

  • Implementing NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA)
  • Addressing placement challenges, including staffing, capacity, and learning opportunities
  • Developing resources for Practice Assessors and Practice Supervisors
  • Strengthening communication between the University and placement providers
  • Overseeing audits and evaluations to support continuous improvement.

We conduct educational audits every two years. These audits assess learning support, resources, and opportunities across practice settings. They also confirm alignment with national standards.

Student evaluations support the audit process and help identify areas for improvement.

Middlesex uses the . This structured process supports consistent evaluation across placement sites.

Resources and Training

Resources and Training

PBLU provides training and updates in line with requirements from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The training covers the Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA) for Practice Assessors, Practice Supervisors, and Academic Assessors.

This two-day course prepares qualified nurses to become Practice Assessors and Practice Supervisors.

Get in touch

Get in touch

General enquiries: pblu@mdx.ac.uk

 

location_on Practice Based Learning Unit, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT