Midwifery Practice Education Facilitator

Countess of Chester; Chester; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Midwifery Practice Education Facilitator (Band 7) to lead and develop high-quality practice learning across maternity services. The role partners with the Head of Midwifery, HEIs and student midwives to deliver education, training and workforce development, ensuring SSSA compliance and safe, compassionate care.

The post holder will support students, preceptors and practice assessors, maintain strong governance, and drive continuous

Qualifications

• Professional qualification to degree level with up-to-date professional registration
• Experience in education in practice and mentorship is desirable
• Excellent interpersonal, teaching and facilitation abilities
• Strong organisational and administrative skills
• Knowledge of NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA)

Responsibilities

• Lead development and evaluation of high-quality practice learning environments across maternity services
• Support student midwives, preceptees, supervisors and assessors to achieve learning outcomes
• Coordinate student placements with Higher Education Institutions
• Lead educational audits and quality monitoring processes
• Maintain records and reports for governance and education meetings
• Collaborate with regional education networks, universities and external partners

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Teaching and facilitation

Education programme development

Time management

Education

Bachelor level professional registration

Masters level mentorship module

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Midwifery Practice Education Facilitator

Band 7

Main area Midwifery Grade Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (covering maternity leave) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 210-2026-703

Site Countess of Chester Hospital Town Chester Salary £49,387 - £56,515 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 25/10/2026 23:59

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation

Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Midwifery Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) to join the Maternity Services team at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The Midwifery PEF plays a pivotal role in supporting the development of a highly skilled, competent and confident maternity workforce. Working closely with the Head of Midwifery, Matron, PDM, Higher Education Institutions and student midwives, the successful candidate will lead on the provision of high-quality practice learning environments and support the delivery of education, training and workforce development across maternity services.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced midwife with a passion for education, quality improvement and staff development. The post holder will provide expert support to student midwives, preceptors, practice supervisors and practice assessors, ensuring compliance with NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA) and contributing to the delivery of safe, kind and effective care.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills, alongside a commitment to continuous improvement and workforce development. They will work collaboratively across maternity services and with external partners to promote excellence in practice learning and support the future midwifery workforce

Main duties of the job

Lead the development, coordination and evaluation of high-quality practice learning environments across maternity services.

Support student midwives, preceptees, practice supervisors and practice assessors to achieve positive learning outcomes and maintain safe clinical practice.

Ensure compliance with NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA).Coordinate and quality assure student placements, acting as a key liaison between maternity services and Higher Education Institutions.

Lead and participate in educational audits, quality monitoring visits and action planning processes.

Maintain oversight of student feedback, concerns and learning environment issues, ensuring timely resolution and escalation where required.

Monitor placement capacity and educational quality indicators, identifying risks and implementing improvement actions.

Support the development and implementation of competency frameworks, preceptorship programmes and professional development initiatives.

Maintain accurate records relating to mentor, supervisor and assessor preparation, educational activity and quality assurance processes.

Produce reports and assurance information for maternity governance and education meetings.

Work collaboratively with regional education networks, universities and external stakeholders to share best practice and promote innovation in maternity education.

Working for our organisation

The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:

The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.

Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.

Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Professional qualification, to a minimum of degree level, with up to date professional registration
• Specialist knowledge of education in practice at Masters level equivalent e.g. mentorship module at Masters level or equivalent.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills able to engage and build effective relationships at all levels in stakeholder organisations
• Ability to present to large groups of people
• Ability to teach and facilitate in a variety of settings with different groups of staff
• Able to plan, implement and evaluate education programmes
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• Excellent time management skills Microsoft office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access

Knowledge and Experience

• Broad range of post qualifying clinical experience for a minimum of 5 years
• Extensive experience of teaching, supervising and assessing healthcare students in the practice setting
• Practical experience of facilitating change
• Experience of staff management/staff supervision
• Knowledge of different methods/ styles for teaching and learning
• Detailed understanding of curriculum development including the generation of learning outcomes
• Detailed understanding of a range of regulatory body requirements
• In depth knowledge of Quality Assurance principles and framework
• Working knowledge of Inter-professional learning theory

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.