Advocacy Programme

NMCWatch provides an advocacy program for those who require support during Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) proceedings. Our role as advocates is to support and guide you throughout the process and help you present your case effectively. We also represent and advocate on your behalf when needed.

We are not legally qualified solicitors or barristers. However, we have a team of experts with legal experience and backgrounds, including healthcare professionals, trade union representatives, and Health and Safety and employment law experts, who have experience in the NMC process and can provide you with the necessary guidance.

The majority of nurses and midwives who join NMCWatch have legal representation via their union. We will always encourage members to engage well with their unions as we are not here to offer alternative legal advice. However, through our own experiences, we can assist in asking your union representative the right questions so that you understand how the working relationship will be and how to get the best from them.

Some nurses and midwives choose to seek private legal representation and this can sometimes be funded through your home contents insurance policy. Some policies will facilitate and fund legal representation. The Nurses Defence Service is one such organisation that we hear good feedback about.

NMCWatch legal support

A small number in our group cannot use their union representation due to the cover they have or because of an incident occurring before joining the union. There are some that do not belong to a union and cannot afford to fund a private lawyer to represent them in their case. As a result, we have been working with external organisations to try to address this.

It is well documented that if you do not have representation your outcome can often be worse than if you do – therefore we see how important this is. If someone has had previous union or private legal support we will always encourage them to continue to try to work with these and resolve the issues that are causing blocks. However, for some, ours is the best option.

How you proceed is your choice but we offer another option to explore – something which is often lacking in this process.

NMCWatch case support and advocacy

Following the success of a 6 month pilot period we have now embedded the Advocacy Programme into our work. Anyone having our support on the Programme will get:

• An allocated buddy (provided via our Buddy Scheme) for emotional and practical support through the process rather than any legal advice. The buddy will also assist with professional mentoring e.g.
  • clinical scenario discussions
  • reflection assistance and signposting to any training required.

• An allocated case worker – to help coach and guide the registrant through the professional aspects that need addressing in order to engage with the FtP process positively, e.g.
  • building a portfolio,
  • statement writing,
  • gathering of testimonials,
  • reflections,
  • and work placement liaison.
• An allocated advocate – this person will take responsibility for the legal representation of the case and work closely with the registrant and mentor.
• Where appropriate for those representing themselves – a McKenzie Friend can be provided to support registrants through hearings and processes.
• Guidance on appealing substantive orders such as strike-off.

We will always try to help where we can, either directly, or by signposting you to a more appropriate place.

Our Statement of purpose and Aims tell you more about what we strive for. Our philosophy ensures everyone has equitable access to support through their individual FtP experience and beyond.

Our support does not end with your case. Many others will focus only on your case – we focus on you. So, as well as help during your case, you may need support afterwards with, for example, gaining employment.

There is more information about other organisations that might help you in the Additional Support section.