Celebrating safe learning environments: SLEC Week Success Story
This week we are proud to join NHS England South West in celebrating #SLECWeek - a regional showcase of the Safe Learning Environment Charter (SLEC), co-developed with input from over 2,482 learners and educators across the South West.
SLEC puts learner safety, inclusion, and wellbeing at the heart of clinical education, supporting learner wellbeing, clinical excellence, and workforce retention. It aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Promise, and national quality standards. A safe learning environment improves patient care, staff satisfaction, and helps learners feel supported, confident, and empowered.
Case Study: Gillian's return to practice
Gillian qualified as an registered mental health nurse (RMN) in 2015 and worked as a mental health health care assistant (HCA) for 18 months. As a single parent and full-time carer, Gillian also lives with dyslexia and likely dyscalculia. In 2022, she returned to practice via the return to practice scheme, placed in a busy setting at our organisation.
Through our commitment to the Charter, Gillian received:
- Personalised 1:1 support from a dedicated educator
- Strengths-based coaching to boost confidence and self-advocacy
- Reasonable adjustments for learning needs
- Regular check-ins with placement and university teams
- Medication calculation coaching to achieve 100%
Gillian's journey exemplifies SLEC in action: an innovative, person-centred, neurodivergent-inclusive approach delivered tailored support and empowered Gill to become a confident self-advocate and succeed in her goals.
Gill's Successes:
- Enhanced confidence in clinical and academic settings
- Positive impact on patient care
- Ability to support patients through calm and effective care
- Greater confidence in addressing challenges and speaking up
She said: "It just goes to show that with determination, you can get through it."