COMPETENCY PROFILE FOR NURSES AND MIDWIVES
PROMOTING THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF CHILDREN AND
YOUNG PEOPLE
SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION RESPONSES
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS)
commissioned NIPEC to lead a regional project to develop a competency profile for
nurses and midwives to promote the mental health and wellbeing of children and
young people in Northern Ireland.
The Competency Profile was developed in consultation with an Expert Reference
Group (ERG) which was representative of all 4 tiers of Child and Adolescent Mental
Health Services (CAMHS), comprising, nursing, midwifery, social work, medicine and
the voluntary sector which included carers, volunteers and staff Membership of the
ERG is available at Appendix 1.
2.0 CONSULTATION PROCESS
The consultation process included ERG members attending three workshops
between June and October 2009. Following this the competency profile document
was approved by the Project Board for further consultation. This period of focused
consultation commenced on 23 November 2009 and closed on 15 January 2010.
The consultation document and response proforma were distributed to the fifty ERG
members who had agreed to test the competency profile with their colleagues in the
areas of practice and disciplines they represented. The Northern Ireland Hospice
and the Children’s Law Centre and the Children’s Commissioner also received
copies of the consultation document and response proforma (Appendix 2
consultation questions). NIPEC received two responses after the consultation period
had closed and these were included in the analysis.
3.0 ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES
Responses
NIPEC was delighted to receive a total of eight consultation responses from across
the 4 Tiers of CAMHS. Responses were returned via email from the Accident and
Emergency Department, South Eastern Trust; the Children’s, School Nursing and
Health Visiting Department in the Belfast Trust; Queen’s University Belfast, Mindwise
and the Nursing Education and Development Consortium, North and West. A verbal
response was also received from practice nurses in Belfast.
General Comments
In general the comments were favourable towards the competency profile. However,
the practice nurses, children’s and school nurses reported that the competency
profile was “too long” and “wordy”. It was unanimously stated that the learning and
development framework was thought be a “very valuable tool” and was “clear and
easy to understand”. Responses also highlighted that the competency profile clearly
identified the current skills and knowledge required by practitioners in relation to
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promoting the mental health of children and young people and provided direction to
nurses and midwives for professional development.
QUB commented that the development of the competency profile was timely for a
number of reasons in relation to the nursing and midwifery work-force, in that it will:
link well with the new standards and competences being developed by the
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008) for pre-registration education
blend with the philosophy of the proposed Children, Family and Public Health
pathway (DH, 2009)
complement the current work on the development of a national strategy for
mental health and well-being of children and young people (Think Child, Think
Parent, Think Family, SCIE, 2009)
support Delivering the Bamford Vision (DHSSPS, 2009) which highlights the
importance of mental health, social well-being and resilience commencing before
the birth of the baby with effective pre-natal support, continuing with parental
support and throughout the baby’s life course.
Specific Comments
Competency Domains and Areas
The six domains and competency areas were believed to be relevant to all
practitioners in order to help them meet the needs of children and young people. The
description under each competency area was also reported being valuable.
One response commented that there was crossover between domains. The general
consensus, however, was that the competency domains and areas were reported to
be “well defined”, “comprehensive” and flowed in a logical sequence. The nurses in
the Emergency Department stated that the competencies reflected the needs of
practitioners in their practice setting.
Competencies
School nurses and Children’s nurses who responded stated that the competencies
were “too complex”. However Health Visiting requested consideration of the following
points:
Domain 1- Competence statement 1.2 Knowledge Point a: include competencies
specific to parental substance misuse and domestic violence.
Domain 2 – Competence statement 2.2 Knowledge Point c: include
circumstances when adults disclose abuse which may have happened historically
but which will still require a response from nursing staff.
Domain 3 – Assessment. Competence Statement 3.1 – incorporate the need to
have in place a process to record details relating to adult’s children.
Domain 5 – Competence statement 5.1: Skills – add: know what to do when there
is an insufficient response from organisations/agencies while maintaining the
focus on what is in the child/young person’s best interest and a further
competency: be able to analyse and evaluate information to inform interagency
decision making.
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Level Descriptors
The level descriptors were highlighted as being “suitable” for Children’s, School
Nursing, Health Visiting and Accident and Emergency nurses. It is interesting to note
that the university and Nursing Education and Development Consortium response
reported that they thought practitioners would find the level descriptors confusing.
However, this did not appear to be the case from the practitioners who replied.
Rating Scale
The rating scale was supported again by practitioners as being “appropriate” and
“clear and easy to follow”, whereas the university response didn’t like the use of
descriptors linked to the rating scale and the Nursing Education Consortium
response believed this could lead to confusion.
Self Assessment
There was support for the recommendation for the use of 360° degree assessment
within the competency profile. However, the university response suggested that
there was a need to be “more specific/prescriptive” in relation to whom the
practitioner should gather evidence from, to assist with verifying the practitioners
assessment of their competence and learning and development needs.
Learning and Development Framework
This was unanimously supported as “very clear”, “easy to follow” and “extremely
useful”. Respondents also stated that it provided practitioners with a framework
which encouraged them to consider alternative learning activities other than
attending traditional classroom based learning only.
There was a concern raised about the increased amount of paper work this would
mean for nurses and midwives. However, it was recognised that this would
complement the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS/KSF, 2004) and that
this should therefore be “more user friendly” for practitioners.
Competency Profile Title
There was general support for the existing title. Mindwise, however, suggested that it
be revised to incorporate “parents/carers which would be more inclusive particularly
for nurses who primarily work with adults”.
The South Eastern Trust recommended that “the promotion” be preceded with the
words “to guide the promotion of ….”.
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Additional Suggestions for Improvement and to Support Implementation
The university response suggested the inclusion of a flowchart to support the
process of assessing and agreeing learning needs and competencies. They also
recommended that the tables in Sections 1 and 2 presenting the competency
frameworks and other documents reviewed should be moved into the appendices
section.
It was recommended that for effective implementation there was a need for
awareness sessions for practitioners and managers. This should include how to use
the competency profile to assist with KSF development reviews and appraisals.
Equality Issues
There were no suggestions or recommendations made in relation to the equality
related questions in the response proforma.
4.0 SUMMARY OF REVISIONS TO COMPETENCY PROFILE
Sections 1 and 2
1. The tables presenting the competency frameworks and other documents
reviewed were moved into the Appendices.
2. The examples of roles within each of the levels of practitioner were moved from
Section 3 to Section 2 under the heading Who is the competency profile for?
Section 3
1. This section now relates solely to the competency framework. All of the
information about the learning and development framework and how to use it has
been included in Section 4 of the competency profile.
2. The competency framework and rating tool were separated. The rating tool was
moved to Appendix 5 entitled Competence Assessment Tool. The competencies
within the framework are now presented clearly for the levels of practitioner they
apply to.
3. Two additional competencies were added:
Domain 2 Communication
Competency Area 2.3 Multi-disciplinary and multi-agency collaborative
working
Level 2 practitioner skills: ability to analyse and evaluate information to
support multi-disciplinary/multi-agency decision-making.
Domain 4 Intervention
Competency Area 4.2 Referral and transition
Level 2 practitioner knowledge: knowledge of local protocols when there has
been an insufficient response from mental health services following a referral.
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Section 4
Section 4 now comprises information solely related to the learning and development
framework. A stepped approach to using the competency assessment tool and
learning and development framework is presented in this section.
Section 5
The heading Section 5 was removed with the content retained.
5.0 Conclusion
The focussed consultation helped with the further refinement of the competency
profile comprising the competency and learning and development frameworks and
competence assessment tool. NIPEC is grateful to everyone who contributed to the
development of the competency profile and the focussed consultation process. The
final draft of the competency profile will be presented to Project Board members on
11th March 2010 for verification and sign off.
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APPENDIX 1
EXPERT REFERENCE GROUP MEMBERSHIP
Updated July 2009
Julie Anderson Team Co-ordinator/Nurse Specialist
Julie.anderson@setrust.hscni.net
Claire Marie Bailie Volunteer
claremarie162002@yahoo.co.uk
Celine Bradley Carer
anne.doherty@mindwisenv.org
Clare Brannigan Volunteer
brannigan_clare@hotmail.com
Geraldine Byers Nurse Consultant
Geraldine.byers@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Marie Carey Nurse Advisor
marie.carey@nhssb.n-i.nhs.uk
Dr Jane Carney CAMHS Psychology Lead
jane.carney@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Pauline Carson Teaching Fellow, Child and Young People, QUB
e.p.carson@qub.ac.uk
Zara Rachel Coulter Volunteer
zara_coulter_459@hotmail.com
Megan Crothers Volunteer
browneyedbabe1991@hotmail.co.uk
Moira Davren Co-Director Nursing – Education & Learning
Moira.davren@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Paul Devlin Referral Coordinator/Clinical Nurse Specialist
Paul.devlin@westerntrust.hscni.net
Anne Doherty Deputy Chief Executive
anne.doherty@ mindwisenv.org
Gary Doherty Team Leader, Addiction Day Treatment Services,
Belfast Addiction Service.
Garyp.doherty@belfasttrust.hscni.net
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Mairead Donnelly Health Visiting Team Manager
mairead.donnelly@southerntrust.hscni.net
Lucy Fitzsimmons Lead Nurse CAMHS
Lucy.fitzsimmons@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Donna Gallagher Staff Tutor Nursing
d.m.gallagher@open.ac.uk
Dr Peter Gallagher Consultant Psychiatrist
peter.gallagher@northerntrust.hscni.net
David Gilliland Assistant Director of CAMHS for NHSCT
David.Gilliland@northerntrust.hscni.net
Nuala Giffin Behaviour Support Nurse, Behaviour Support Team,
Disability Services
Nuala.Giffen@setrust.hscni.net
Shona Hamilton Midwife Education Consultant
shamilton@clady.bmc.n-i.nhs.uk
Barney Hanna Clinical Nurse Specialist
Barney.hanna@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Heather Hanna Specialist Registrar, Child Psychiatry
heather.hanna@btinternet.com
Mary Findon-Henry Lecturer Mental Health and Learning Disability
M.Henry@ulster.ac.uk
Julie Hill Training and Development Manager
Julie.Hill@mindwisenv.org
Billie Hughes Clinical Services Manager
Billie.hughes@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Dr James Hughes Consultant Paediatrician
James.Hughes@southerntrust.hscni.net
Stuart Johnston Volunteer
Naomi.Kirk@mindwisenv.org
Gerard Leavey Director of Research at NIAMH
Gerard@niamh.co.uk
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Fiona Martin Assistant Director of Nursing(Education) Mental Health and
Learning Disability
f.martin@qub.ac.uk
Mary McCarthy Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist
mary.mccarthy@southerntrust.hscni.net
Joe McConvey Nurse Lecturer
j.mcconvey@qub.ac.uk
Calum McDonald Principal Health Care Manager, Northern Ireland Prison
Service
Calum.mcdonald@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk
Donna McGeary Assistant Service Manager, A&E and Acute Admissions
Donna.mcgeary@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Amanda McLean Nurse Development Lead
amanda.mclean@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Rhonda McLaughlin Nurse Manager, Emergency Department
rhonda.mclaughlin@setrust.hscni.net
John McLeod Team Leader (Multi-Agency Support Team for Schools)
John.mcleod@northerntrust.hscni.net
Dr Paula McLorinan Consultant Psychiatrist
victoria.sheridan@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Luke McSorley Nurse Education Consultant
luke.mcsorley@northerntrust.hscni.net
Martin Milligan Nurse Education Consultant
mmilligan@clady.bmc.n-i.nhs.uk
Ward manager, Children and Adolescents
Teresa Mungur Teresa.mungur@setrust.hscni.net
Karen Murray Teaching Fellow - Midwifery
k.e.murray@qub.ac.uk
Meabh Murray Volunteer
mmurray30@qub.ac.uk
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Jackie Nelson Head of Nursing in the Northern Trust/
Regional Co-ordinator for the Development of Eating
Disorder Service within CAMHS
jackie.nelson@northerntrust.hscni.net
Behaviour Nurse Therapist/ Team Leader Behaviour Support
Team.
Paul O’Hare
paul.ohare@setrust.hscni.net
Health Visitor (CAMHS team)
Helen Sherry helen.sherry@actionforchildren.org.uk
Ruth Watson Clinical Manager
Ruth.watson@setrust.hscni.net
Dr Janet Watters GP - Out of Hours
janet.bailie4@ntlworld.com
Jonathan Welsh Clinical Nurse Specialist
Jonathan.welsh@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Jennifer Wright Volunteer
jenps@hotmail.com
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APPENDIX 2
NORTHERN IRELAND PRACTICE AND EDUCATION COUNCIL FOR
NURSING AND MIDWIFERY
COMPETENCY PROFILE FOR NURSES AND MIDWIVES: PROMOTING THE
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
CONSULTATION RESPONSE PROFORMA
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS)
commissioned NIPEC to lead a regional project to develop a competency profile for
nurses and midwives to promote the mental health and wellbeing of children and
young people in Northern Ireland. The profile has been developed in such a way that
it should have transferability across the many professions, agencies and sectors that
have responsibility for children and young people. Your views are important in
helping the DHSSPS, NIPEC and the Project Board shape the Competency Profile
into a resource which will help nurses and midwives assess their competence and
plan their development needs thus ensuring the provision of accessible, safe and
effective care.
The questions below seek to gather opinions on the
Relevance of the competency profile to practitioners
Competence level descriptors to assist practitioners in assessing themselves
against the relevant competencies
Competency domains, competency areas and competencies
Learning and development framework
Send your feedback by 15 January 2010 via email or hard copy to:
Cathy McCusker
Senior Professional Officer
NIPEC
Centre House
79 Chichester Street
Belfast BT1 4JE
Or by email to:
cathy.mccusker@nipec.n-i.nhs.uk
If you have any queries contact Cathy McCusker or Dr Carole McIlrath on 028
90238152
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CONSULTING ON THE COMPETENCY PROFILE
RESPONDEE INFORMATION
Are you responding: (Please tick one box)
a. as an individual
b. on behalf of a group
Please specify …………………………………………………
c. on behalf of an organisation
Please specify …………………………………………………
A summary of the responses will be shared with members of the Project Board at the
next meeting on 24 February 2010, to enable final changes to be made to the
competency profile prior to final sign off.
CONSULTATION QUESTIONS
Please record your responses to the consultation questions in the boxes
provided. If necessary you may attach continuation sheets.
QUESTION 1
Please comment on the six competency domains in the Competency Framework and
their relevance to practitioners. (See Consultation Document page 9).
QUESTION 2
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Do you agree that the definitions of the three practitioner levels are appropriate to
help individuals determine which competencies to assess themselves against? (See
Consultation Document page 12).
Level 1 Practitioners
Practitioners whose primary role is to provide care for adults, who may in the course
of their work come into contact with children and young people
Level 2 Practitioners
Practitioners who work directly with children and young people
Level 3
Practitioners who work directly with children and young people in mental health
services.
QUESTION 3
Please comment on the competency areas within each domain in terms of
relevance. (See Consultation Document Section 4, pages 16 - 54).
QUESTION 4
Please comment on the appropriateness and relevance of the competencies within
each of the competency areas to help nurses and midwives assess their
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competence and plan for their development? (See Competency Profile Section 4
pages 15 - 55).
QUESTION 5
Please comment on the wording of the rating scale to assist practitioner’s in the
assessment of their competence and identification of their development needs.
(See Consultation Document Section 4 pages 15 - 55).
QUESTION 6
Please identify any gaps in:
a) the competency domains
b) the competency areas within each of the domains
c) the competencies within each of the competency areas.
(See Consultation Document Section 4 pages 15 - 55).
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a)
b)
c)
QUESTION 7
Please comment on the learning and development framework and its usefulness in
helping practitioners plan for their learning and development, in Section 3. (See
Consultation Document page15).
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QUESTION 8
Please provide us with your views on how to ensure effective implementation of the
competency profile in practice. Also identify any barriers which may which may affect
implementation.
QUESTION 9
“A competency profile for nurses and midwives: promoting the mental health
and well being of children and young people”
Do you agree with the title of the competency profile?
Please tick one of the boxes
Yes □ No □
Please comment.
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EQUALITY ASSESSMENT CONSULTATION QUESTIONS:
To enable us to complete or refine the equality assessment of the core components
of the competency profile, we are seeking views on the equality impact through this
consultation process. We would appreciate you taking the time to consider the
following questions and give us your comments.
QUESTION 10
Are there any data or information that might be drawn upon to assess the equality
impact of the core components of the competency profile?
QUESTION 11
Do you consider that the core components in the competency profile have any
positive or negative equality impacts on any groups included within Section 75 of the
Northern Ireland Act 1998 (see Annexe 1, Consultation Response Proforma) and if
so how?
QUESTION 12
Do you have any other comments on the assessment of equality impact of this
competency profile?
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For further Information, please contact
NIPEC
Centre House
79 Chichester Street
BELFAST, BT1 4JE
Tel: 028 9023 8152
Fax: 028 9033 3298
This document can be downloaded from the NIPEC
website www.nipec.hscni.net
FEBRUARY 2010