As a student I have never seen my SOM but understand their role from asking questions and reading books.

Do you feel supported by your SOM? have you recieved sound guidance and support? when do you go to see your SOM? just yearly? or more frequently? do you want/expect more of your SOM? ....

I see my SOM yearly for my review. Other than that I haven't yet needed to call on her for any specific reason, To be completely honest I was allocated a SOM that I don't feel quite comfortable with, and am in the position where I don't want to rock the boat by asking for a change of person. If I do have a problem, there are a handful of midwives that I would far more able to discuss it with, whose practise and opinions I respect, and who i know would be straight with me. So I do feel that I have access to experienced support, although not through the SOM system.

My SOM is great!

I have found her to be very approachable. I have a yearly "Supervisory Review", but know that I can chat to her at any time between these reviews. She is also a Matron in the maternity unit where I work, so I do see her regularly.

The purpose of the supervisory review is for me to state how I feel about my professional development, are there areas that I need help with, do I feel I can contribute to the development of others etc. It would also be an occasion for my supervisor to point out any areas that I need to work harder on (not that this has happened to me! )

Since taking up my current post there have been 2 sad incidents that I have been involved with, to some extent. Both times my supervisor made a point of meeting with me asap to discuss what happened. She supported me in writing statements.

It a shame that not all midwives receive the same level of support. I know that my student, who is new to midwifery training this year, has already met with her supervisor.

I have a fantastic supervisor and she is also the lead clinician and head of midwifery of the local unit. I see her officially once a year and she also comes round to my house to check my equipment. In reality, I see her more often than that.

My SOM is fantastic and I'd go as far as saying that without her, I may have stopped practising independently.

I see her for my yearly review and equipment check but I also see her at least monthly for a chat about where I'm upto in my practice and to update me on any training available in the area that I can access. She is always available on the phone if I need her and she checks in with me sometimes when she hasn't had an email from me for a little while.

She had never supervised an independent before me and she says that she has learned so much from supporting me.

I'm sure I have pestered her to death on occasion but she has never complained and her advice and support has been invaluable.

If you get a good SOM..use her when you can as they can really help you in your development as a midwife.

Vicky x