Information for Approved Learning Environments
Information for learning environments and how to apply
This page provides information for practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in North Central London (NCL) seeking approval as learning environments and details the PCN annual self-assessment process.
To support effective learning and placements in primary care, NHS England (NHSE) Workforce Training and Education (WT&E) requires all environments that host learners on accredited training pathways to be approved as learning environments. This approval ensures the safety and quality of training for trainees, supervisors and educators.
See the section headings below to learn more about:
How practices can apply to become an approved learning environment
How PCNs can apply for the same approval
The process for completing the PCN self-assessment form
The resource page here offers guides and information to assist practices and PCNs with the approval process, application form and assessment, including:
Guidance on completing the relevant application forms
Information to prepare for an NCL Assessment
An FAQ document for large-scale approval applications
How practices can apply to become an approved learning environment
The information below will help you navigate the registration, application and assessment process to register your practice as an approved learning environment.
There are three steps a practice must take to become an approved learning environment:
It is recommended that the practice nominates an application lead to oversee and manage the application on behalf of the learning environment.
The nominated application lead will need to register the interest of the practice to become an approved learning environment in NCL.
Please note: GP practices that are applying for approval which also include new educator applications will need to register their interest via the educator application pathway here.
The NCL Faculty and Quality team will contact the practice following the submission of their expression of interest with instructions to complete the application form, and a link to submit the application paperwork.
The application form will ask the practice to evidence how it supports educators and learners against the six domains of NHSE WT&E’s Quality Framework standards
Guidance on completing the application form can be found on the approved learning environment resources page here.
Once a practice has uploaded the application form and supporting documents, the NCL Faculty and Quality team will invite practice representatives to an NCL assessment.
More information about assessments, including which practice representatives should attend, can be found on the approved learning environment resources page here.
The NCL assessment panel will make a recommendation to NHSE WT&E to formally approve the practice as a recognised learning environment.
How PCNs can apply to become an approved learning environment
PCNs are essential for advancing the future primary care workforce. Since 2022, NHSE has transitioned to a PCN-based model for approving learning environments. This change aims to boost multi-professional educator capacity and expand placement opportunities within primary care.
NCL is dedicated to supporting PCNs in achieving approval as learning environments. Our goals include increasing the number of student and trainee placements, expanding educational sites for training and supervision, developing non-GP roles as educators and supervisors, and enhancing peer support through local Faculty groups.
The information below will help you navigate the registration, application and assessment process to register your PCN as an approved learning environment.
There are three steps a PCN must take to become an approved learning environment:
A PCN representative must register interest on behalf of the PCN to become an approved learning environment in NCL.
The NCL Faculty and Quality team will contact the PCN following the submission of their expression of interest with instructions to complete the relevant application forms, and a link to submit the application paperwork.
For a PCN application on behalf of educators and learning environments already approved:
Educators and learning environments already approved to host placements and training will complete one application form collectively as a PCN.
For a PCN application on behalf of new and already approved educators and learning environments:
New educators and learning environments can be added to the same PCN application form. However, they will also need to complete a separate application form and attend an NCL assessment.
More information about at scale PCN approvals can be found on the approved learning environment resources page here.
PCNs are applying with new educators and/or learning environments to be approved will invited to join an NCL Assessment. More information about assessments, including which PCN representatives should attend, can be found on the approved learning environment resources page here.
The NCL assessment panel will make a recommendation to NHSE WT&E to formally approve the PCN as a recognised learning environment.
How to complete the PCN annual self-assessment form
Each year, approved PCNs must complete a form to reaffirm their adherence to NHSE WT&E’s Quality Framework standards
This annual process replaces the previous five-year re-validation application, as approvals are no longer time-stamped.
The self-assessment audit is designed to assure NHSE WT&E, Higher Education Institutions, and Regulators that placements remain safe for learners and that quality standards continue to improve.
The steps below provide information about the PCN Self-Assessment form and process.
Each year, PCNs that are approved as PCN learning environments are required to complete a form reaffirm their adherence to the NHS England Workforce, Training and Education (NHSE WTE) quality framework standards. This process replaces the re-validation application previously required every five years, where approvals are no longer time-stamped.
The self-assessment paper-based audit is designed to provide assurance to NHSE WTE, Higher Education Institutions and Regulators that placements remain safe for learners and that environments are continuing to drive up quality standards.
Within approved PCNs, the self-assessment applies to practices already approved as learning environments, and approved educators of all primary care clinical roles who supervise learners in these practices.
PCN Leads are requested to lead on the completion of the self-assessment form, gathering information from the following roles:
Approved/previously recognised educators
Practice managers
PCN Educator Leads
Faculty Programme Directors
PCNs that were approved as learning environments within the last twelve months will not yet be requested to submit a self-assessment form.
You can download a copy of the form from the NCL Training Hub Approved Learning Environments resources webpage.
A nominated PCN lead should oversee the form’s completion on behalf of the PCN. The form requires the following information:
Names and details of all currently approved educators from all professions that support learners in practice – this should include the following:
Educators who have been approved via the current educator approval process
Educators who were previously recognised as such prior to the current educator approval process
Educators who have completed an appropriate NHS England WTE supervisor training course before 31 March 2023 with ongoing learning, feedback and reflection.
Practices in the PCN approved as learning environments.
Self-reflective statement of peer review teaching session for each educator in the PCN:
This applies to all educators listed on as approved educators.
The statements should demonstrate how educators apply their teaching and can adapt to fit the needs of the trainee and/or the curriculum.
Responses based on the six NHS WTE quality domains to evidence PCN ongoing commitment to high-quality standards in supporting training and education over the past year and share plans for maintaining these standards for a further 12 months. Evidence should be provided in responses to each domain, with examples below:
Learning environment and culture (e.g. QI activities and patient feedback that have produced change)
Educational governance and commitment to quality (e.g. learners having an input at clinic/practice/PCN meetings, EDI considerations that have been acted on)
Developing and supporting learners (e.g. structured involvement with multi-professional education groups, adaptations to timetables for learners requiring extra support)
Developing and supporting supervisors (e.g. ways in which learners are monitored to make sure they are on track to meet curriculum learning outcomes and how placements and assessments are reviewed)
Developing programmes and curricula (e.g. regular engagement with HEIs and Training Hubs to understand training needs)
Developing a sustainable workforce (e.g. plans to take on learners of different professions and how learners are exposed to other roles)
The PCN nominated lead should complete the self-assessment form and submit it to the NCL Quality team at nclicb.approvedlearningenvironments@nhs.net.
All sections of the form must be completed prior to submission.
Forms will be reviewed by local Borough Training Hubs against a checklist. The NCL self-assessment panel, led by the NCL Training Hub Quality Clinical Lead, will review submissions and make recommendations. No assessment meeting will be held.
The NCL self-assessment panel will recommend one of the following to NHSE WT&E:
Recommend continued recognition for 12 months
Recommend continued recognition with actions for 12 months
Not recommended for continued recognition. PCNs not recommended will engage with NHSE WT&E to address any concerns or notification of major changes impacting the PCN.
PCNs not recommended will work with NCL Training Hub Quality team and NHSE WTE to address any concerns impacting the PCN or practices.
NHSE WTE will sign off the self-assessment forms.
Further support
If you have any questions on how learning environments can apply for approval or how to complete a PCN self-assessment form, please contact the Faculty and Quality team: