Recurring concern
Inadequate competence assurance and supervision for inexperienced midwives
- Reports that mention this concern
- 7
- Times this concern has been raised
- 7
- Stated actions linked to this concern
- 7
What this concern includes
Includes failures in midwifery arrangements for assessing experience, providing procedure-specific training, assigning suitable duties, ensuring supervision or support, and escalating for assistance when inexperienced or newly qualified midwives undertake maternity care.
What is not included
- Excludes generic healthcare staffing, supervision or training deficiencies where midwifery competence or supervision is not the identified unsafe condition.
- Excludes failures involving doctors, nurses or other professional groups unless the assertion explicitly concerns supervision or competence assurance for midwives.
- Excludes substantive clinical errors or delays where the midwife had appropriate competence assurance and supervision available.
- Excludes staffing-capacity, rota or workforce-retention concerns where the shared unsafe condition is not the competence or supervision of inexperienced midwives.
- Excludes deficiencies in a named procedure's clinical guidance where midwifery competence assurance or supervision is not the identified concern.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Reports and published responses 7 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
-
Concerns raised1
Insufficient supervision of newly qualified midwives managing women in labour
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked responses
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS England
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
-
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Implement the enhanced NHSE midwifery preceptorship framework, including 150 hours of supernumerary status and protected progress meetings.
-
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Maintain Practice Development Midwife clinical support for preceptee midwives.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
NHS England
NHS providers are responsible for designing preceptorship programmes and determining additional support for newly qualified midwives.
-
Concerns raised1
Lack of specific requirements for midwives’ training and ongoing exposure to home births
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
-
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure midwives have sufficient experience before taking up community posts
Linked response
- Department of Health and Social Care
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
Department of Health and Social Care
Employers are responsible for designing and delivering preceptorship programmes for newly registered midwives.
-
Concerns raised1
Failure to verify newly qualified midwives' CTG tracing interpretation proficiency before recruitment
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
-
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure support and supervision for inexperienced midwives performing episiotomy
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
-
Concerns raised1
Inadequate preceptorship for newly qualified and part-time midwives
This report raised 13 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- The Trust
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
-
The Trust
Update the midwifery preceptorship programme with a competency-based framework, rotating preceptors and structured support.
-
The Trust
Recruit a practice development midwife to support preceptorship and provide a reference point for newly qualified midwives.
-
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide further support to midwives without experience in newborn resuscitation
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Bedford Hospital
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
-
Bedford Hospital
Require all employed midwives to complete annual neonatal resuscitation theory and simulation training under accredited trainers.
-
Bedford Hospital
Provide new starter midwives with a structured orientation period, nominated preceptor and managerial and supervisory support tailored to learning needs.
-
Bedford Hospital
Risk-assess case complexity at handover and throughout each shift, allocate women according to staff experience and competence, and record four-hourly reviews.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
-
Bedford Hospital
Existing training, orientation, supervision and emergency support systems sufficiently address risks from limited hands-on neonatal resuscitation experience.
-
Bedford Hospital
A second person is not required at birth; midwives must request support when clinically necessary, with assistance available through existing arrangements.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Data last updated 7 September 2026