NHSE webinars of sessions designed to support practice educators on various topics can be found here for 2026: Webinar_2526_SeriesV2
KINDNESS IN PRACTICE: SUPPORTING STUDENTS
(adapted from the words from Corinthians 13 v. 4-7 shared with students by Phyllis Willmoth, Theatre Sister, EHST)
❤■ KINDNESS IS BEING PATIENT
Go at the pace of your students. Start from where they are. Be gentle—they are often scared.
❤■ KINDNESS IS INCLUSION
Step into their shoes. Treat them with kindness. Make them feel safe and welcome.
❤■ KINDNESS DOES NOT ENVY
Students may have struggled. Offer compassion, not comparison.
❤■ KINDNESS DOES NOT BOAST
Share your humanity. Let them know we all have gaps in our knowledge.
❤■ KINDNESS IS NOT PROUD
Knowledge is not to be hoarded. Freely share your skills and experience.
❤■ KINDNESS IS NOT RUDE
Respect your students. They are our future. Avoid dismissive remarks.
❤■ KINDNESS IS NOT SELF-SEEKING
Teach to uplift, not to advance your own goals.
❤■ KINDNESS IS NOT EASILY ANGERED
Students may be fearful. Nurture them with patience and calm.
❤■ KINDNESS KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS
Mistakes are part of learning. Offer grace and encouragement.
❤■ KINDNESS REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH
Avoid gossip. Believe in your students’ potential.
❤■ KINDNESS ALWAYS PROTECTS
Create a safe space. Placements can be intimidating—be their anchor.
❤■ KINDNESS ALWAYS TRUSTS
Let them try. Trust builds confidence and competence.
❤■ KINDNESS ALWAYS HOPES
See the sparks in them. Help them shine.
❤■ KINDNESS ALWAYS PERSEVERES
Even on tough days, your kindness and teaching are never wasted.
Please do visit the Future platform where you can find additional support, advice and training webinars; Practice Education Training workspace – FutureNHS Collaboration Platform
NHS Employers have created this website with lots of really helpful advice and toolkits for what staff can do to better support learners on placements: Student experience | NHS Employers. It includes information on mentoring, finance, inclusion mental health and belonging. Please take time to visit the site and share with your teams
NHSE have created this guide for late career AHP’s supporting students in practice link here
Please also see the relevant course area on this website for all the documentation you may need to become an educator and to provide a placement.
Please also look at useful information under our Equality Diversity and Inclusion tabs if you are supporting a student that has a learning support plan.
Here are two great exemplars from Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust to help plan and support students:
AHP Student Pre placement pack
AHP Student Welcome and Induction Handbook
These articles may be of interest:
Alexanders J, Chesterton P, Gordon A, Alexander J, , et al. (2020) ‘Physiotherapy Student’s Perceptions of the Ideal Clinical Educator’, MedEdPublish, 9, [1], 254, https://doi.org/10.15694/mep.2020.000254.1 link here
Yung EWY, Newman A and Burke B (2019) Navigating relationships in practice learning: Voices from practice educators. Social Work Education. link here
Gibson, S.J., Porter, J., Anderson, A., Bryce, A., Dart, J., Kellow, N., Meiklejohn, S., Volders, E., Young, A., Palermo, C. (2019). Clinical educators’ skills and qualities in allied health: a systematic review. Medical education in review, 53 [online]. Available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/medu.13782 pp.432-442. link here