A long-arm (plural long-arms) is a pole-like tool used for handling things too far away to reach. Also a long pole fitted with any of various devices, such as a hook or clamp, for performing tasks otherwise out of reach. Idiomatically it means to influence from a distance; to have far-reaching power; or ‘you can't escape the long arm of the law’, meaning the police will catch you if you have done something illegal. Also referring to a gun with a long barrel, such as rifle or shotgun. Furthermore, in the practice of law long-arm litigation is enabled through long-arm provisions, through long-arm statutes.
The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, at Canterbury Christ Church University, is one example of many institutions experiencing challenges with regard to practice (or workplace-based learning) placements of students. Demands are continuously increasing, and students are requiring access a widening range and variety of practice areas, whereas opportunities diminish, and workplaces may not necessarily employ registered practitioners. As result, students might not receive appropriate supervision in relation to workplace-based learning (WPBL), which is in conflict to professional statutory body requirements. Similarly, the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of Chester found that “private, independent and voluntary organisations (PIVOs) are a valuable source of these types of practice placements”, but do not necessarily meet the regulatory requirements say Knight, et al. (2022). The solution both institutions introduced is an innovative long-arm practice supervision (LAPS) model. LAPS refers to the process where a suitably qualified supervisor is located at a distance to the practice learning area of the student. The LAPS takes responsibility for supervising and supporting the student, as well as assessing and confirming/verifying the student’s achievement of outcomes. The “model expands and broadens in scope the University’s placement capacity and structures engagement with its PIVOs” say Knight, et al. (2022). The Canterbury Christ Church University ‘Guidelines for Long Arm Practice Supervision’ specify a minimum of at least three (3) face-to-face meetings with the student, of which the specifics are outlined below:
Canterbury Christ Church University. (2018). FPLC 7: Guidelines for Long Arm Practice Supervision. Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Practice Learning Unit, Information for Students, Resources. Electronically accessible from https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/medicine-health-and-social-care/practice-learning-unit/docs/FPLC-7-Guidelines-for-Long-Arm-Practice-Supervision.pdf
Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/long-arm-of-the-law
Dictionary.com https://www.dictionary.com/browse/long-arm
Knight, K.H.; Whaley, V.; Bailey-McHale, B.; Simpson, A. & Hay, J. (2022). The long-arm approach to placement supervision and assessment. British Journal of Nursing, 31(4), 247. Electronically accessible from https://www.britishjournalofnursing.com/content/comment/the-long-arm-approach-to-placement-supervision-and-assessment
Wiktionary.org https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/long_arm#:~:text=long%20arm%20(plural%20long%20arms,as%20a%20rifle%20or%20shotgun
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