Proactive monitoring
In partnership with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), we’re introducing two new monitoring methods that will strengthen how we identify and share good practice, support timely improvement, and provide assurance that nursing and midwifery education continues to meet our standards.
Contents
- Overview
- New programme monitoring
- Annual self-reporting
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Proactive monitoring
The two new methods will enable us to assure the quality of nursing, midwifery and nursing associate education through different lenses:
Thematic programme monitoring
Thematic programme monitoring will look at a specific theme across selected NMC-approved programmes.
The first thematic monitoring activity will focus on how equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are embedded within programmes. This complements the work we’re doing to actively engage educators and practice learning partners to encourage the adoption of our principles to support anti-racism in midwifery and nursing education and practice.
AEI monitoring
AEI monitoring will look across an institution’s quality assurance arrangements for all NMC-approved programmes it delivers.
Further details on the new methods, including handbooks for implementation, will be added to this page later this year.
Thematic programme monitoring will be rolled out by the end of 2026, with AEI monitoring beginning in early 2027.
It is important to note monitoring visits are a proactive assessment of the provision in scope or quality assurance arrangements at each AEI. They are not a targeted extraordinary review assessment or a risk-based monitoring visit in response to an identified concern, as these processes follow a different approach.
Previous
Annual self-reporting
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1
How we approve education programmes
ShowEducation institutions need to get our approval before they can deliver programmes for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.
Overview: our QA framework Seek approval if you've not been approved before Seek approval if you're an AEI QA case study on becoming an AEI QA case study Education programme approval reports -
2
Modify an existing education programme
ShowAn approved education institution (AEI) might need to request a programme modification for things like the introduction of flexible routes including nursing degree apprenticeships in England.
Modify an existing education programme Major modification approval reports -
3
Programme endorsement
ShowThere are two types of programme endorsement which an Approved Education Institution (AEI) can propose.
Programme endorsement -
4
How we monitor approved education institutions
ShowWe monitor approved education institutions (AEIs) and their practice learning partners to make sure that they continue to meet our standards.
We take a data-driven approach, which means we focus on aspects of education and training differently in the areas where greater risk lies. We have a process for identifying information about risks that we receive and we work closely with other professional and system regulators to identify risks early, rather than waiting for a serious risk or event to occur.
New programme monitoring Annual self-reporting -
5
How we deal with concerns
ShowIf we identify that an AEI isn’t meeting our standards, we will work with them to make the necessary improvements, so the standards are met and students receive appropriate education and training.
How we deal with concerns If you have a concern about an education programme
