National Preceptorship Interim Quality Mark

Applications for the Interim Quality Mark closed on 31 January 2024.

Organisations were invited to check their eligibility by filling in the self-assessment form. All 10 core/mandatory criteria had to be met, and a minimum of 80% overall needed to be achieved.

A flow chart of the process can be accessed here.

For more detailed information please see our FAQs below. Additional guidance is available on protected time (Criteria 5) and on preceptorship champions (Criteria 15).

Congratulations to the following 198 organisations who have all been awarded the Quality Mark:

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to expand)

Interim Quality Mark

What do we do about submitting information that contains names and personal details?
You will need to indicate on your self-assessment document what information you are able to provide to evidence each criteria. Please submit information, however you will need to remove names and any other personal information. Assessors will want to see the process and tracking rather than personal details.

Can we submit before we have achieved 80% and can we still apply if we have an amber RAG rating?
Please use the self-assessment to assess your organisational readiness for the interim Quality Mark, however, only submit when you meet the 80%.

If a policy has been approved, updated, and is in use it will be accepted with an amber rating (1) if it is pending ratification and an approximate date for formal ratification has been provided. If it has not been approved and/or is not compliant with the Framework standards it will not be progressed to review by the assessment panel. If you are unsure, please seek advice from your Regional Lead.

Do we have to submit all the evidence with our application?
No. You should indicate what information you are able to provide for the criteria to substantiate your position. Once your application has been logged, the central team will advise what information you need to send through. We will only be requesting your preceptorship policy and information on one criteria for each application.

How would you recommend providing evidence for submissions?
By referencing supporting information according to the specific criteria – the clearer the better! We will be publishing more guidance on this.

Do all organisations submit the same evidence for their application?
No, we are randomly selecting different evidence from each organisation to support their applications.

What is the time frame for the final submission of applications?
Applications will be accepted at any time from 1 January 2023 on an ongoing basis. They will be assessed monthly; however, you can submit at any time.

How long is the Quality Mark for?
Two years from the date of awarding the Quality Mark.

Does the National Quality Mark replace the CapitalNurse Quality Mark?
No. They will run in parallel as they represent different frameworks.

Does the Interim Quality Mark cover maternity specific or AHP preceptorship?
No. This is a quality mark for nursing linked to the standards in the National Preceptorship Framework for Nursing.
The maternity and AHP frameworks are currently in development. If you have any questions about those frameworks you can direct them to the following contacts:
Maternity – Karen Camm – karen.camm1@nhs.net
AHP – Amanda Weaver – amanda.weaver@hee.nhs.uk

Who assesses the application?
All applications are initially checked by our central team to ensure the 80% minimum has been achieved. This is then sent to the appropriate Regional Lead with the additional evidence requested for full assessment and decision by the regional review panel. The review panels meet monthly.

How can we use the Interim Quality Mark?
You can use your Quality Mark on email signatures, documentation and promotional materials.

How long will it take to review my application?
Once the Regional Lead has received your application and supporting evidence, these will be reviewed at the next monthly meeting of the review panel. You will be informed of the outcome within five working days following this meeting.

Why are coaching and wellbeing not higher on the Quality Mark agenda?
They are! They are part of our core standards.

The Quality Mark is prescriptive as to how long the preceptor’s initial preparation should be – three weeks. If the preparation is shorter than this (i.e. two weeks and another week of coaching later on) will this be okay?
The preceptor development is recommended as three hours. For those who have been preceptors, a one hour refresher is recommended.

How many trusts have achieved the Interim Quality Mark? Who are they?
You can find a list of all the trusts that have already been awarded the Quality Mark on our website here.

What is the next phase after the Interim Quality Mark?
NHS England is looking at next steps following the Interim Quality Mark.

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