Local Nursing and Midwifery Supervisory Report 2011/12

Supervision of midwives is a statutory system that increases protection of the public from poor midwifery practice. Supervision does this through monitoring midwives' practice and by providing support and guidance to every midwife in the United Kingdom.

Supervision of midwives is achieved through a group of experienced midwives who undertake further training to become eligible to be appointed as a supervisor of midwives. All midwives, whether practising in hospital, the community or self-employed, have a named supervisor of midwives and are required to participate in the supervision process.

Supervisors of midwives provide support, advice and guidance to individual midwives on practice issues whilst making sure the midwife complies with the Midwives rules and encouraging further development of skills and knowledge.

Supervisors of midwives also provide professional leadership in a variety of arenas.

Local supervising Authorities in Scotland is divided into 3 regions, Forth Valley is in the South East. Visit the South East Scotland Local Supervising Authority - Midwifery website for more information.

As of September 2011 there are 14 Supervisor of Midwives and 2 who are about to undertake training.

To access a SOM, the public would contact the maternity Unit page holder at any time and a SOM will be notified.

• Nursing and Midwifery Council Annual Report 2011 - 2012