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Bespoke clinical educator programme for organisations and ICSs

Develop your clinical educators with a programme tailored to your organisation or system.

Built around your priorities and pressures, our in-house offer strengthens educator capability while supporting service and system goals. Clinical education requires a distinct skill set - designing effective learning, communicating with impact, leading across teams and systems, and using practical tools like project management, evaluation and analytics. Because educators are balancing heavy clinical workloads, our in-house programme is shaped to be realistic and directly tied to the priorities of your organisation.

Our programme is CPD-accredited if all eight modules are completed. If all eight modules are not completed, the programme is not accredited.

 

CPD Accredited logo

94%

were satisfied with the overall quality of the programme

 

90%

would recommend the programme to a colleague

 

Tailored to your needs

We can design content around your workforce plan and local challenges. Sessions reinforce shared approaches, processes and standards across teams, sites and partners.

Measurable improvements

84% of participants from our national programme have changed the way they design or deliver education as a result of their learning. By bringing the programme in-house, you can expect similar tangible benefits, with educators applying new skills directly to practice, and strengthening the quality of education across your organisation or system.

Practical and achievable

The programme is designed to fit around demanding clinical schedules, with short, focused modules that minimise time away from service. The absence of formal academic assignments reduces pressure, while the emphasis on applied learning ensures participants can begin implementing new approaches in their educational practice straight away.

Aligned to wider policy

Designed in line with the NHS Educator Workforce Strategy and workforce plan, it has a strong emphasis on national priorities such as digital-first learning. Participants gain confidence in using digital tools and approaches, which they can then embed directly into their own teaching sessions - helping your organisation stay ahead of evolving expectations for education and training.

What you can expect from the programme

Over six months, you’ll take part in eight interactive, three-hour online modules led by experienced clinical education specialists Lydia Lofton and Julie Combes.

This programme has been shaped by the views of over 800 clinical educators from across the country, ensuring it’s built around the real challenges you face. Each session combines practical tools, reflection and peer learning in a supportive, multi-professional environment, so you can immediately apply what you learn to your own role.

 

By the end of the programme, participants will have developed core skills that every educator needs, including how to:

  • Design and deliver effective education that engages learners and supports clinical practice
  • Create inclusive and positive learning environments that motivate and challenge 
  • Communicate more confidently and utilise different feedback techniques
  • Understand your personal leadership style and its influence across teams and systems 
  • Demystify practical healthcare business skills in project management, finance, and analytics 
  • Understand challenges and opportunities of leading change in healthcare systems
  • Build your professional network with other clinical educators from across the system

FAQs

How much does the programme cost?

Costs vary depending on the number of participants, delivery format and level of customisation. Please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements and we’ll provide a tailored proposal.

Who would benefit most from this programme?

This programme is aimed at those working in a role with protected time for education delivery, coordination or strategy, within the health and care setting. We aim to develop skills, confidence and community, to enable more effective and efficient education provision for the health and care workforce.

What is expected of me during the programme?

Participants will need to commit to attending eight modules. Modules are three-hours long and take place online via MS Teams. Self-directed learning, reflective exercises, and application to personal practice are integral to participation. You will need to undertake self-directed reading and activities before and after the online modules, estimated to be approximately two additional study hours per module. You will also be encouraged to create a community of practice with other participants throughout the programme and will have access to various digital tools to enable this and apply your learning.

What people say about the programme

If you are starting out in an educator role or interested in shaping the learning of the next generation in your field, this course is for you. In a short space of time you will be introduced to lots of concepts that underpin the educational landscape. You will learn about yourself in a safe environment and dare greatly.
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Consultant in Integrated Respiratory Medicine

The programme gave me the tools and knowledge to approach clinical education with a more structured and confident mindset. I now feel much more prepared to facilitate student learning, provide constructive feedback, and ensure a positive and supportive learning environment.
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Ward Sister

A photo of Julie Combes and Lydia Lofton

Meet our facilitators

The Clinical Educator National Development Programme is run by Julie Combes (Director) and Lydia Lofton (Associate Director).

Julie began her NHS career as a paediatric intensive care nurse in 2000. Since 2010 she has been involved in workforce education and training undertaking senior leadership roles that support and advise health and care providers locally, regionally and nationally, more recently working for Health Education England.

Lydia is an experienced workforce specialist with expertise in clinical education. She has a background as a paediatric intensive care nurse, and extensive experience in NHS hospital trusts, international healthcare systems, academic health science partnerships, and arms-length bodies.

Find out more about our team >

Ready to take the next step?

If you’d like to discuss a bespoke programme for your clinical educators, please get in touch.