As the introduction of new standards and regulation of a new role represents significant change for the sector, all programme approvals against the new standards during this period will include a documentary review and a visit. The data and intelligence collected and considered by reviewers will be used to inform our decision on whether to give approval, and will also create a baseline to inform future quality assurance activity. As this will represent a large amount of programme approval activity, planning and communication with key stakeholders will be key to the success of future service delivery.

Following a major review of our standards, we have recently published new proficiencies that nurses and nurse and midwife prescribers will need in the future, and requirements for education providers. We have also published new standards for assessment and supervision. These will be used as the basis for our quality assurance activity. A holistic review of all other standards related to midwifery education is underway, and we have commissioned an independent evaluation of our remaining post-registration standards. In January 2017, we also agreed to be the regulator for the new nursing associate role. Once we become the regulator for the role, we will also quality assure the education of nursing associates. The standards of proficiency and programme standards for nursing associate education are due for publication in September 2018. While quality assurance of the nursing associate role will only apply in England, all other aspects must address the variations involved in working across the 4 countries of the UK. As the introduction of new standards and regulation of a new role represents significant change for the sector, all programme approvals against the new standards during this period will include a documentary review and a visit. The data and intelligence collected and considered by visitors will be used to inform our decision on whether to give approval, and will also create a baseline to inform future quality assurance activity. As this will represent a large amount of activity, with a spike in programme approval activity volume in the first year then diminishing over the remaining contract years as the new model of quality assurance is introduced in full, planning and communication with key stakeholders will be key to the success of future service delivery. In order to be assured that education institutions are meeting our standards, we have developed criteria based on the final version of the standards and key lines of enquiry to guide the work of visitors. The criteria include details of the evidence that an institution can provide to demonstrate that they meet the education framework and programme standards that enable students to meet the relevant standards of proficiency. The standards set out what all Approved Education Institutions (AEIs), practice placement and work placed learning providers must do in order to manage and deliver all NMC approved education programmes. Areas of key lines of enquiry and criteria will include admissions, curricula, methods of student assessment and support for students in practice. In line with taking a proportionate approach we will also draw on the findings of other bodies such as the office for students to provide assurance. As part of programme approval we will consider whether the institution is "properly organised and equipped for conducting the whole or part of an approved course of education or training". In order to provide additional information to consider we are also considering and developing aspects of the new model for quality assurance that incorporate thematic reviews, enhanced scrutiny of new institutions, and the later potential for a student survey.