Scheme for Registration supervision updated to reflect CLiP changes

Arrangements for those supervising trainee optometrist on the Scheme for Registration will be updated to reflect the model used by clinical learning in practice (CLiP) placements from Wednesday 1 July.

Changes to supervision arrangements are related to supervisor eligibility, opportunities and support, and are being made in order to provide a consistent approach to supervision across both qualification routes.

The changes mark the final adaptation in supervision to meet education and training requirements set out by the General Optical Council (GOC).

It is hoped that the changes will make it easier for practices to share responsibilities, with experienced and newly qualified optometrists and non-optometrist colleagues able to contribute to trainee optometrists’ development.

Lizzy Ostler, director of education at the College of Optometrists, said: “Aligning Scheme supervision arrangements with CLiP is the final stage of creating a consistent approach to supervision across both qualification routes.

“It helps ensure practices can support students in a way that meets current GOC requirements, while maintaining the high standards of supervision, learning and patient care that are central to becoming a safe and confident optometrist.”

What is changing for supervisors under the GOC’s education and training requirements?

To be eligible to supervise trainee optometrists from 1 July, supervisors must be current registrants with their relevant regulator – either the GOC, the General Medical Council, the Health and Care Professions Council, or the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The College of Optometrists noted that only optometrists can act as practice educational lead supervisors (under CLiP) or principal or joint supervisors (under the Scheme for Registration), but that other registered eye care professionals can act as task supervisors (under CLiP) or additional supervisors (under the Scheme for Registration), as long as their teaching and supervision of trainees falls within their scope of practice.

Supervisors must have completed specified training for the role, and be a full member of the College of Optometrists if they are an optometrist, or an associate member if they are not.

The College of Optometrists has also emphasised that supervisors must only supervise within their scope of practice.

They must have evidence of previous supervisory experience, or if they do not, they must have a mentor who is qualified as a practice lead or principal supervisor.

The College of Optometrists has enhanced training and support for all supervisors, with ongoing supervisory continuing professional development and support sessions.

Those who are already supervising trainees under the Scheme for Registration should check the updated requirements, including that they hold the appropriate category of College of Optometrists membership.

Supervisors should consider completing the revised and enhanced supervisor training and accessing the extra support that is available, the College of Optometrists said.

Newly qualified optometrists who would like to take on a supervisor role might consider becoming a ‘task supervisor’ or ‘additional supervisor,’ both of which can provide the chance to contribute to trainee development, build supervision skills, and gain experience as part of a wider supervisory team, the College of Optometrists advised.

Those who are interested can visit the College of Optometrists’ ‘qualify as a supervisor’ page to find out more.

The College of Optometrists is also running a number of training courses on supervising trainee optometrists, all of which can be viewed here.

Ostler added: “In addition to the supervision training courses, the College has extended its support for supervisors through regular supervisor drop-in sessions, additional CPD opportunities, the online CLiP Portal to support student progression and supervision activities, and dedicated College contacts for advice and guidance.

“Together, these resources are designed to help supervisors feel confident in their role, support student development effectively and stay connected to a wider community of supervisors.”