How Resources are Mapped
Learning resource review process
NES has worked with stakeholders to develop a three-stage quality assurance process.
1. The learning resource provider completes a Learning Resource Submission Form, which asks about three key aspects of training quality:
- Usability: Learning resources and training need to have specified content and learning outcomes. This ensures the learning experience is consistent over time. This can be achieved in a variety of ways such as being in a fixed form like an animation or having a curriculum or handbook.
- Supports: There needs to be guidance to support the implementation of training, and a system for assessing the impact of training. Implementation supports can range from such things as guidance on selecting appropriate learners or deciding about suitability of resource; guidance and systems for translating learning into practice such as ongoing coaching; guidance on organisational readiness and organisational changes to support changes in practice. Systems for measuring the impact of a learning resource can range from an assessment of the learner’s reaction or engagement using feedback questionnaires, assessment of their knowledge through quizzes or exams, to assessment of their skills in the workplace, and assessment of the impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the children and young people learner work with.
- Evidence: Learning resources and training need to be built upon evidence-based practice and theory. This refers to the theoretical basis informing the content of the learning resource or course and does not necessarily need to be explicitly detailed in the learning, particularly at the Informed Practice Level.
The Form also asks about how the impact of a learning resource is measured. More details about this can be found here.
Finally, the Form asks about the evidence base or the mechanism for change that underpins the learning resource, including references and any content review process.
2. The Learning Resource Submission Form is checked by a member of the Review Panel to confirm the learning resource meets the inclusion criteria:
- Available in Scotland
- For the children and young people's workforce
- Covers content that is included in the Knowledge & Skills Framework for Child and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing
- At the Informed, Skilled or Enhanced level
- Free at the point of delivery/defined cost included
- A formal training or training resource, e.g., slides/handbook available and therefore replicable
- Evidence-based or informed
3. Detailed Mapping Process:
Once a resource has been approved by the Review Panel, NES works with the training provider to map the resource to the knowledge and skills statements in the Digital Learning Map, and this process informs the decision about the practice level of the resource (Informed, Skilled or Enhanced).
For learning resources and trainings that do not meet inclusion and quality assurance criteria, feedback will be provided with suggestions to enhance the learning resource or to seek further information to clarify if quality assurance can be met.