BSc (Hons) Midwifery

Guidance Information for

Interview

2014 Entry

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Mission Statement

Edge Hill University will provide an intellectually stimulating, creative and inclusive environment for its community. Teaching and learning of the highest standard, supported by pure and applied research of international significance, will provide a firm foundation for its graduates, and other stakeholders in a rapidly changing world. An international perspective, knowledge and understanding, and a life-long capacity to learn and adapt, is the surest way of securing an individual’s and nation’s future.

Equal and Diversity Edge Hill University’s vision is to ‘provide an environment where everyone feels able to participate, contribute, enjoy and influence their experience; and where inclusive practices underpin everything we do. Respect for and celebration of individual diversity will shape institutional strategy, direction and behaviour.’ The University seeks to identify and eradicate any practice which discriminates on the basis of race, disability, sex, gender re-assignment, age , sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion, belief or none, or socio-economic background . The University recognises that equality and diversity embraces all aspects of employment and service delivery including curriculum; teaching; learning and assessment; research issues; and extra curricular activities.

DISCLAIMER

Edge Hill University makes every effort to ensure that this information is accurate at the time of publication. Edge Hill reserves the right to change or discontinue any course, programme or module, or the specific content thereof or to amend any other information without notice. Edge Hill does not accept any liability arising out of or in connection with any such changes.

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Contents

Page

Introduction and how to get here 3

Checklist for Applicants 5

The Interview:

Purpose of the interview

Selection Criteria

Format of the Day

Pre-interview preparation

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What to bring with you on the day 11

Admissions Information 13

BSc (Hons) Midwifery Information 15

Additional Information 19

Appendices:

Statement of Criminal Convictions Form

List of Examination/Awarding Bodies

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Introduction Congratulations on being selected for interview! We are very pleased that you have decided to apply to Edge Hill University. We hope that this booklet will enable you to prepare thoroughly and to present yourself well at your interview. We also hope that you enjoy your interview day, have a successful outcome and decide that you would like to study at Edge Hill University. Good luck! Jane Morgan (Head of Midwifery Education / Lead Midwife for Education), Jane Knibbs (Admissions Tutor) And The Midwifery Team

How to get here The following link provides directions to the Ormskirk Campus and travel information: - http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/location/ormskirk You should make your way directly to the main foyer area of the Faculty of Health and Social Care building where a member of the Admissions Team will be on hand to greet you. Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival, but should you wish to purchase lunch or snacks you can visit one of our many catering outlets, the closest of which is located on the lower ground floor of the Faculty of Health building. You will be met at reception by our Admissions Staff, who will direct you to the venue for the introductory welcome. Please aim to arrive on time. If, for any reason, you are going to be late arriving, please contact us on 01695 650950.

Parking at the Ormskirk campus On-campus parking at the Ormskirk campus is likely to be extremely limited. We would strongly advise candidates to travel by public transport wherever possible. There is an Edge Hill bus which runs from the bus station in Ormskirk to the Edge Hill campus every 15 minutes. If you do travel by car, we have included a parking permit with your interview invitation. Please display this on your dashboard as you enter the campus main entrance, so that it is clearly visible to our parking attendants. They will then direct you to the nearest available space, if any are available. We must emphasise that possession of the parking permit does

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not guarantee you a space and we are not in a position to guarantee that parking spaces will be available on any given day. If the campus is full, you can find several car parks in Ormskirk Town Centre.

For candidates attending morning interviews, you can expect to find long queues on St Helens Road from around 08.00 and for those attending afternoon interviews there may be a delay of 30 minutes or more in accessing a parking space. Consequently we would suggest that you time your arrival to avoid any delays. If you do arrive early there are several catering outlets on campus for you to access.

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Checklist for applicants

Before the interview: Read the interview guidance information

Complete pre-interview essay task (see page 8)

Obtain a second reference and arrange for it to be sent to the Edge Hill Admissions Office no later than one week prior to the interview date, or bring it with you to interview.

Understand the selection criteria of the course

Log on to UCAS Track to confirm your attendance

Bring to the interview: Photographic Identification

Evidence of any name change (if applicable)

Original certificates of qualifications (with one photocopy of each certificate)

Criminal Conviction statement (if appropriate)

Your prepared essay

Your second reference (if not already submitted)

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1. The Interview

Purpose of the Interview To determine whether you:

possess the personal and intellectual qualities suitable for a career in midwifery communicate clearly in written and spoken standard English demonstrate an understanding of the demands of studying at university

Suggested preparations Before your interview we recommend that you have:

developed an understanding of and can clearly explain the role of the midwife

thought about and can clearly explain why you want to become a midwife

considered carefully the commitment required to undertake this programme of midwifery education

Format

Normally you will be interviewed by a member of the midwifery academic team and a practicing clinician. The interview will last approximately 20 minutes, during which relevant midwifery issues will be discussed.

Selection Criteria

i. Personal qualities

an ability to communicate effectively empathy enthusiasm confidence the capacity to be an effective member of a team an ability to analyse questions and issues and give clear and thoughtful answers

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ii. Professional awareness

The interview panel will expect you to have a sound understanding of the role of the midwife and be able to demonstrate an awareness of professional issues. You will also be expected to have robust and well thought out ideas on why you have chosen a career in midwifery.

iii. Academic awareness

You will be expected to have an understanding of the academic demands of this programme and be able to express the strategies you have developed for learning.

Please remember that an interview is a two way process. You should treat the interview as an opportunity for your questions to be answered. This midwifery programme is intensive and challenging, but ultimately rewarding and empowering.

Format of the Day You will be invited to either a morning or afternoon interview session. The interview process at Edge Hill University has two stages: Stage 1

A submitted prepared essay

An unseen written task undertaken on the interview day Stage 2

A face to face interview

All of the above elements are individually scored. Scores from Stage 1 are combined and successful candidates will be invited to stay and proceed to Stage 2. Candidates who do not achieve the required score will not progress to Stage 2. Stage 2 interviews will then take place following the presentation about the programme. Candidates who are unsuccessful in the prepared essay and/or the unseen written task will receive written feedback, as will candidates who are unsuccessful at interview.

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A campus tour will be available on each interview day leaving form the Faculty of Health and Social Care building at 12.15pm Morning Schedule

08.30hr Reception and collection of photocopied qualifications, photographic ID, prepared task and second reference (if applicable)

09.00hr Stage 1 Welcome and unseen written task

09.20hr Comfort break

09.30hr Information about the programme

10.00hr Stage 2 Candidates who are successful at Stage 1 will be interviewed

Afternoon Schedule

12.45hr Reception and collection of photocopied qualifications, photographic ID, prepared task and second reference (if applicable)

13.30hr Stage 1 Welcome and unseen written task

13.50hr Comfort break

14.00hr Information about the programme

14.30hr Stage 2 Candidates who are successful at Stage 1 will be interviewed

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Pre-Interview Preparation Pre-interview Essay Task - this should be brought with you to your interview.

You must bring a piece of referenced written work, this should be word processed. It is important that you refer to the NMC standards and guidance in your answer. Please write approximately 750 words on the following:

Explain why, during the pregnancy and childbirth continuum when women are often emotionally and physically vulnerable, it is imperative that midwives treat those they care for with dignity and respect.

Second Reference Now that you have been selected to attend an interview for this programme, you are required to provide an additional reference to support your application. In the majority of cases, we would require a reference from your most recent and appropriate employer (either paid or voluntary work) or an Academic reference from one of your previous tutors. Your UCAS application will include one reference, usually in one of the above categories. Your second reference should be in the alternative category where possible – i.e. if you have an Academic reference on your UCAS application, an employment reference will be required. If you are still at school/college, and have not undertaken any relevant work experience, we will require another reference from a second tutor, in addition to the initial reference provided on your UCAS application. You should note that we can only accept references that are printed on letter-headed paper, with an organisation name, logo, and with a signature from the referee. These can be posted to Admissions, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP or faxed to 01695 584628. In some cases we can accept references by email. However they must be sent from a recognised organisation email account and sent to healthreferences@edgehill.ac.uk The format of the reference is extremely important and you should be aware that WE CANNOT ACCEPT REFERENCES that are:

Printed on plain paper (i.e. not on company letter-headed paper).

Emailed from general email accounts (e.g. hotmail, gmail, yahoo etc)

Written by family members, family friends or work colleagues.

Not signed by the referee

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The reference needs to arrive at Edge Hill University’s Admissions Office no later than one week prior to the interview date. If we do not receive the reference either prior to or on the day of your interview, you will not be interviewed.

Please remember to log in to UCAS Track to accept the interview invitation, if you haven’t already done so.

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2. What to bring with you on the day

PROOF OF IDENTITY Please bring with you photographic ID (i.e. current valid passport or photo-card driving licence). Your ID will be checked by the Chair of the interview panel prior to the start of the interview process. If you do not bring suitable ID on the day, you will not be interviewed and may not be offered an alternative date

PROOF OF QUALIFICATIONS*

Please bring with you original certificates for qualifications already attained and listed on your UCAS application. E.g. GCSEs, A Levels, BTEC, Access or other Further/Higher Education Certificates. You are also required to bring with you a complete set of photocopies of these certificates which will be taken from you and retained for our records. Please not that it will not be possible for us to photocopy these for you on the day.

DECLARATION OF CRIMINAL CONVICTION(S)

If you have had a criminal conviction, caution, bind over, or any offence at any time in your life which may appear on your DBS Enhanced Disclosure, you must provide a statement relating to this. The statement must include the date of the offence, type of offence, sentence, fine imposed, etc. If applicable, please complete the form in Appendix A and bring this to your interview in a sealed envelope with your name and course written on the front. This information will be considered by the Head of Clinical Partnerships & Fitness to Practice Team and you will be required to attend a short meeting to discuss this further.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

If you have any additional supporting evidence (i.e. additional references, evidence of work experience, etc), that you would like to show your interviewers, please bring this with you on the day.

THE PREPARED ESSAY See page 9

A SECOND REFERENCE If not already submitted prior to your interview

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A PEN

*Please note: If you have changed your name since the certificates were issued, please advise us of this when you check in and hand in your photocopies. You may be required to provide proof of this, e.g. your marriage or deed poll certificate. In this case, please bring with you a photocopy of the relevant proof of name change. If you do not bring photocopies of your certificates on the day and the decision of the panel is to offer you a place, we will withhold the offer letter until we receive verification of qualifications already attained and listed on your UCAS application. In this instance, it is important that you initiate a search as soon as possible either by contacting your previous school/college or the relevant examination boards. Please be aware that search fees are in place and searches take a number of weeks to complete. To assist you, we have listed some of the examination boards in Appendix B of this interview guidance.

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3. Admissions Information The Admissions Team is here to guide you through the application process. If you have any queries about your application or the interview guidance information, please do not hesitate to contact us on the following number: 01695 650950 If you require any specific information on issues such as student finance, accommodation, student support, etc, specialist guidance is available from Student Services in the Student Information Centre at the Ormskirk campus, or you can contact them by telephone on 01695 584554. As an inclusive institution, we do seek to ensure that we are able to meet individual needs. If you have a specific requirement that will need to be addressed in order that you can engage effectively with the interview process, i.e. additional time for written tasks, etc, we ask that you advise us in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements as appropriate. Please complete the online form at www.edgehill.ac.uk/interviewguidanceform as soon as possible, and at least 5 working days prior to your interview. If you would like any confidential advice or information on Edge Hill University’s student support services for students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact the following staff:

Edge Hill Inclusion Team 01695 584190 inclusionteam@edgehill.ac.uk

Edge Hill Specific Learning Disabilities 01695 584372 eac@edgehill.ac.uk

Notification of the interview outcome Following your interview, we will let you know the result as soon as reasonably possible. As competition for places is extremely fierce, and in fairness to all candidates we delay making final decisions until we have completed all the interviews – likely to be March 2014. Decisions are made based on your interview and the selection criteria set out within this guidance information.

If you are offered a place on the programme Following the interview, you will receive written confirmation of the decision reached by the interview panel. If your interview is successful and you are made an offer, the letter will advise you to log in to UCAS Track to check the specific conditions of your offer. If you have any queries regarding your offer conditions, you must contact the Admissions Officer immediately and certainly within 14 days of the date on the offer letter.

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All offers made are conditional upon Edge Hill University receiving sufficient allocation of places from the UK Government. Allocations are confirmed at various times of the year, and could delay decisions being made on applications.

If you are unsuccessful We will notify UCAS and, at the same time, write to you providing individual feedback detailing the reasons for the decision, to help you prepare for any future applications you may decide to complete.

Finance and Bursary Information Tuition fees for this programme are paid for by the Department of Health via the Strategic Health Authority (SHA). Degree students are entitled to apply for a means tested bursary through the SHA, www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk and a means tested student loan through Student Finance www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance Non-means-tested grants of £1,000 per annum are available from the NHS Business Services Authority to eligible students. More information is available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/fees

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4. BSc (Hons) Midwifery

About this programme This is a high quality, inspiring and innovative three-year, full-time undergraduate honours degree programme that meets the professional requirements for midwifery practice. The programme spans 156 weeks with 35 days set annual leave per year and consists of approximately 50% theory and 50% practice. Shared learning with other undergraduates is a part of the programme and fosters multidisciplinary working, which is reflected in practice. Successful applicants will study for an honours degree and a professional qualification as a registered midwife. It is important to recognise that the midwifery programme has professional and vocational requirements, with which you are expected to comply in both university and practice. These are:

to uphold the professional requirements of good conduct, competence and good health

to observe attendance and punctuality

to complete work satisfactorily to the set deadlines to demonstrate commitment to the achievement of the highest standards of

performance

Learning You will develop knowledge and experience of the childbirth continuum through university and practice based learning. University learning combines formal lectures, online learning, tutorials, bespoke workshops and simulated clinical practice with directed and independent study. This learning is facilitated by an academic team with a national and international reputation who have extensive and diverse experience in the childbirth continuum and other related disciplines. Clinical learning is undertaken in a variety of settings, including hospital and community based placements that enable you to engage in the delivery of care throughout the childbirth continuum. Midwifery care is provided around the clock and consequently you will have to work a three shift pattern, including nights and weekends. You will also have to work some on-calls. One of the requirements for admission to this programme is that every student must be able to undertake the full range of shift work and engage in clinical experience in all of the placement areas.

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Examples of Hospital Shift Patterns

LOCATION EARLY LATE LONG DAY NIGHT

Liverpool Women’s N/A N/A 07.15-19-45 19.15–07.45

Ormskirk 07.30 – 15.00 12.45– 20.30 N/A 20.15–08.00

Whiston 07.00 - 14.30 13.30– 21.00 N/A 20.45–07.30

Clinical Practice Locations Throughout the course of the programme, Edge Hill University will allocate you clinical placements that are geographically and socially diverse. This will provide you with opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills in different models of midwifery care. As an Edge Hill undergraduate you will have a role to play in this process. You will be expected to organise your own travel to and from clinical placements, ensuring timely arrival for the start of your shift. The practice locations for the Trusts are:

i. Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust:

Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS

Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 7AL

The communities of North and South Liverpool and South Sefton

ii. Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust:

Wigan Road, L39 2AZ

Town Lane, PR8 6PN

The communities of Southport and Ormskirk

iii. St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust:

Warrington Road, L35 5DR

The communities of St Helens and Knowsley Additional community placements may include: iv. Halton

Oaks Place, Caldwell Road WA8 7GD

The communities of Widnes and Runcorn

v. One to One Midwifery Northwest

Some students will have the opportunity to undertake their community placements throughout the programme with One to One North West Ltd who provide midwifery care in Birkenhead and Liverpool Please consider the above carefully as accepting a place on this programme means you are agreeing to undertake placements in all of these areas.

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We expect that you will approach each placement with a flexible and conscientious attitude, acting with integrity and commitment. We know that student midwives enjoy the placements allocated to them and we look forward to making this a reality for you if you choose to join us at Edge Hill.

What you will study The midwifery programme is delivered in a modular format, all of which are compulsory. Modules are either theory or practice, both of which are subject to summative assessment. The programme comprises of one main theme per year, with each theme containing concurrently running subjects, including an inter-professional learning module.

i. Normal pregnancy

An understanding of physiology underpins all of midwifery practice and this, along with an emphasis on clinical skills, is the focus of the first year of the programme. You will learn how pregnancy affects physiology and how to apply this understanding to clinical practice.

ii. Pregnancies with complications

Midwives are the lead professionals in normal pregnancy, however they must also be able to recognise deviations from the norm and refer any complications to the relevant health care professionals. This is the rationale for the theme running throughout the second year of the programme. You will study the patho-physiology of conditions associated with the childbirth continuum and apply this knowledge to the practice areas. iii. Consolidation of learning

The third year of the programme will strengthen the learning you have developed during the previous two years. This will be further supported through engaging with a small midwifery caseload of women, and by developing your interests in a chosen area of midwifery practice during a self funded, elective placement which may be undertaken either in this country or abroad. The commitments of the final year of the programme will strengthen your skills in relation to professional competence, multidisciplinary working, negotiation and time management. This will facilitate accountable and autonomous practise, enabling your transition to a graduate midwife who is fit for practise, purpose, award and professional standing.

Assessment Theory is assessed using a variety of methods including essays, examinations, on-line work, seminar presentations and posters. Criteria and guidance for each assessment will

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be provided and you will receive constructive feedback that will help you with subsequent assessments. Practice is assessed and graded in the clinical area. These grades will contribute towards the classification of your degree.

Support You will be allocated a personal tutor who will support you for the duration of the three year programme. Module specific support for theory and practice will be provided by module leaders. Edge Hill students also have access to Learning Services who will provide further academic support. During clinical placement you will work with a midwifery mentor who will help you to develop your knowledge and skills and assess you in practice. All placement areas also have a dedicated link midwifery tutor and a practice education facilitator, who provide additional support when required. A range of welfare and pastoral services are also available, including advice and support in accommodation, counselling disabilities and finances.

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5. Additional Information Additional notes to applicants who are subsequently made an offer after interview: In order to ensure your smooth entry to Edge Hill and your professional training programme, it is important that you adhere to the national criteria for entry to the profession by following guidance notes issued by the NMC/UCAS/Edge Hill Prospectus and that you are:

a) able to comply with the requirements of the offer sent to you and any other requests as soon as they are asked for and certainly not later than a given date.

b) able to meet the national requirements for full clearance to work with people

in respect of the Police Act and the health standards to enter the profession

c) able to comply with any changes in the national requirements for those starting Midwifery programmes in 2014

d) responsible for the completion and prompt return of all forms sent to you.

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APPENDIX A – Statement of criminal conviction(s) Please complete this If you have any criminal convictions, including caution’s, a bind over, or any offence at any time in your life which may appear on your CRB Enhanced Disclosure. The statement must include the date of the offence, type of offence, sentence, fine imposed, etc. Bring this to your interview in a sealed envelope with your name and course written on the front.

SURNAME FIRSTNAME(S)

DATE OF BIRTH MALE / FEMALE

PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME START DATE

STATEMENT (use additional sheet if required)

SIGNATURE:

DATE

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APPENDIX B – List of Examination/Awarding Bodies If you are having difficulties locating previous examination results/certificates it is important that you initiate a search on receipt of the offer either by contacting your previous school/college or the relevant examination boards. Please be aware that search fees are in place and searches take a number of weeks to complete. We have listed below some of the examination boards: Assessment and qualifications Guildford Alliance (AQA) Stag Hill House Tel 01483 506506 (for NEAB, AEB, JMB, and SEG) Guildford Fax 01483 300152 Surrey email: postmaster@aqa.org.uk

GU2 7XJ website:www.aqa.org.uk

Manchester AQA Tel 0161 953 1180 Devas Street Fax 0161 273 7572 Manchester email: postmaster@aqa.org.uk

M15 6EX website: www.aqa.org.uk

Edexcel Foundation Stewart House Tel: 0870 240 9800 32 Russell Square Fax: 0207 758 6960 London e.mail:enquiries@edexcel.org.uk WC1B 5DN website: www.edexcel.org.uk Oxford Cambridge and RSA Head Office Tel: 01223 552552 Examinations (OCR) 1 Regent Street Fax: 01223 552553 Cambridge email helpdesk@ocr.org.uk CB2 1GG website: www.ocr.org.uk Welsh Joint Education 245 Western Ave Tel: 029 2026 5000 Committee (WJEC) Cardiff Fax 029 2057 5994 CF5 2YX email: exams@wjec.co.uk

website: www.wjec.co.uk