Midwifery Practice Education Facilitator

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

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.

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

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Claire Davies Job title: Head of Midwifery Email address: [email protected] Telephone number: 01244365462