

615
Downloads
7
Episodes
Podcast series designed for Allied Health Professionals to raise awareness and challenge common preconceptions about Long Arm Supervision in Practice Based Learning. We would love to hear your feedback! Share your thoughts on the podcast by completing our short survey. Find links to the survey in episode descriptions. Your input helps us improve and bring you even better content!
© Public Services Delivery Scotland 2026. You can copy or reproduce the information in these podcasts for use within NHS Scotland and for non-commercial educational purposes under creative commons CC BY-NC 4.0 Deed | Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International | Creative commons. Use of this resource for commercial purposes is permitted only with the written permission of PSD Scotland.
Welcome to our podcast series designed for Allied Health Professionals to raise awareness and challenge common preconceptions about long arm supervision in practice-based Learning. Through insightful conversations with practice educators, learners, host settings and experts from Public Services Delivery (PSD) Scotland and higher education placement coordinators, the podcast will explore the practicalities of this model. Topics covered will include its alignment with current policy, strategies for planning, setting up, delivering, and evaluating Long Arm Supervision placements, along with valuable tips, lessons learned, and next steps for future educators. This series seeks to inspire and equip professionals to effectively engage with this innovative model and enhance the learning experience for the next generation of health and social care practitioners.
We would love to hear your feedback! Share your thoughts on the podcast by completing our short survey on Forms. Your input helps us improve and bring you even better content!
Episodes

Jan 20, 2025
Jan 20, 2025
3 min
Welcome to the trailer for Long Arm Supervision: Shaping Practice-Based Learning, a series for practice educators that explores real-world experiences of Long Arm Supervision. Get a sneak peek of upcoming conversations with educators, learners, and experts, and discover how this model can transform practice-based learning.
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.
Access the Trailer for long arm supervision transcript on Sway.

Jan 21, 2025
Jan 21, 2025
30 min
In our first episode, we define Long Arm Supervision and dive into how it fits within the current health and social care agenda. Joined by Dr. Gareth Hill and Ailidh Hunter from NHS Education for Scotland, along with University staff Ashleigh Gray and Alison Gillespie, we explore why this model is gaining attention and discuss its key benefits for both learners and educators.
We would love to hear your feedback! Share your thoughts on the podcast by completing our short survey on Forms. Your input helps us improve and bring you even better content!
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.
Access Episode 1 Long arm supervision; policy, practice and higher education transcript on Sway

Feb 4, 2025
Feb 4, 2025
30 min
In this episode, practice educators Marie Peck (Physiotherapist), Claire Newlands and Mairi Cowley (Speech and Language Therapists), and Angela Pointon (Occupational Therapist) share their journey with Long Arm Supervision. Discover why they embraced this model, how it works in action, and get their top tips for planning, delivering, and evaluating placements. With highs, lows, and key takeaways, this episode offers expert insights to help make Long Arm Supervision a success!
We would love to hear your feedback! Share your thoughts on the podcast by completing our short survey on Forms. Your input helps us improve and bring you even better content!
Access the Behind the Scenes: Educators Share the Secrets of Long Arm Supervision transcript on Sway.
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.

Feb 18, 2025
Feb 18, 2025
30 min
In this episode, we hear from Occupational Therapy student Sarah Bracken, who completed a Long Arm placement in the Western Isles, sharing her unique learning journey. We also speak with her setting provider, JoAnn McConnachie, to explore how the placement was structured and supported her growth. Additionally, dietetic student Imogen Will reflects on a multidisciplinary Long Arm placement with Alzheimer’s Scotland, where a physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy student collaborated to deliver care. Discover how diverse settings and teamwork are shaping the future of practice-based learning!
We would love to hear your feedback! Share your thoughts on the podcast by completing our short survey on Forms. Your input helps us improve and bring you even better content!
Access the Learning across landscapes: student stories from long arm supervision transcript on Sway.
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.

Mar 4, 2025
Mar 4, 2025
30 min
In this episode, we explore a unique Long Arm Supervision placement that emerged after an injury, allowing physiotherapy student Megan Roberts to continue her studies. Hear from Mike Leavitt Physio Programme Lead, practice educator Claire Craig, and Megan herself as they discuss how the placement led to nationally recognized work. This episode highlights how Long Arm Supervision can turn challenges into valuable learning opportunities.
We would love to hear your feedback! Share your thoughts on the podcast by completing our short survey on Forms. Your input helps us improve and bring you even better content!
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.

Mar 18, 2025
Mar 18, 2025
30 min
In this episode, we dive into an innovative placement with Central Scotland Adventures, where an Occupational Therapy student Molly Thompson, their practice educator Claire Hedley, and Rab Wallace setting provider share how a paddle boarding placement helped develop skills in an unconventional setting. Discover how this hands-on experience not only built practical expertise but also highlighted the value of creative placements in shaping well-rounded professionals.
Access the Paddleboarding for Progress: Long Arm Supervision in Unconventional Settings written transcript on Sway.
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.

May 20, 2025
May 20, 2025
35 min
In this episode, we welcome back Rab Wallace from Central Scotland Adventures and Claire Hedley, Practice Education Lead, to hear how they ensure the fundamentals of building relationships, communication, and organisation are in place. We also speak to two students who share what they found challenging on their placement and speak about what could have been improved to better support their development. We also welcome back Ailidh Hunter, Senior Educator at NHS Education for Scotland; Ashleigh Grey, Practice Education Lead at Napier University; and Alison Gillespie, Occupational Therapy Lecturer at Robert Gordon University, to hear about their hopes for the future of Long Arm Supervision. We finish up the series by considering key lessons learned and our top 5 tips for success!
Further resources can be found at TURAS Learn - AHP -Long-Arm-Supervision and If you would like to get in touch with our podcast presenters please contact ahp.practice.ed@nes.scot.nhs.uk
Access written transcript on SWAY Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead: The Future of Long Arm Supervision
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.