1.1 Where the FTY placement is in a community optometry practice premises setting, the placement provider:
1. Will be paid the same General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fees for supervised eye examinations undertaken by the FTY student optometrist, as are paid for GOS eye examinations undertaken by fully qualified optometrists (the fees for which are set out in Appendix A of the GOS Statement), subject to:
o A) the FTY student optometrist undertaking the number of supervised GOS eye examinations per day in alignment with these Placement Provider Terms of Participation and guidance as outlined on the Placement Provider Hub.
o B) the FTY student optometrist normally only undertaking supervised GOS eye examinations on the four days per week that they are employed by the placement provider as part of the FTY placement. The FTY student optometrist should not normally undertake supervised GOS eye examinations on any other days.
o C) the FTY student optometrist not being permitted to undertake supervised GOS Specialist Supplementary Eye Examinations. Where possible, however, for educational purposes they should be given opportunities to observe such eye examinations being undertaken by a specialist Independent Prescriber optometrist.
2. Will, in addition to any fee due under section 1.1.1, be paid a domiciliary visiting fee (in accordance with Appendix A of the GOS Statement) for any supervised eye examinations undertaken by the FTY student optometrist in a domiciliary establishment/location.
3. Will, across both FTY placement blocks in the Academic Year (see section 3.4), be paid a FTY placement grant equivalent in amount to the pre-registration trainee optometrist supervisor grant currently available (£4,644 as of 10 September 2026). This will be:
o A) proportionally reduced in exceptional circumstances (see section 3.4) where the placement provider hosts a FTY student optometrist in only one block in the Academic Year. In such a case, the provider will receive 50% of the FTY placement grant amount (£2,322 as of 10 September 2026).
o B) determined on a case-by-case basis by PSD Scotland where a FTY student optometrist leaves a placement early.
4. Is responsible for employing the FTY student optometrist and paying all associated costs with that employment (such as the salary and employer-related tax etc), based on each block involving a 24-week placement, four days per week. The salary to be paid is a matter for the placement provider (as the employer) to determine, subject to employment law. However, the Scottish Government considers it good practice to invest in the student's development and to offer a salary for four placement days per week, calculated pro-rata from a full-time salary equal to at least the real Living Wage.
1.2 A mobile practice (i.e. a business that only provides GOS eye examinations in domiciliary establishments/locations in the relevant health board area) is not permitted to be the sole provider of a FTY placement. However, PSD Scotland will give consideration on a case-by-case basis to any proposed arrangements involving a FTY placement being provided jointly by a practice premises and a mobile practice. Where such arrangements are approved by PSD Scotland, section 1.1 applies jointly to the mobile practice and practice premises.
2.1 Prior to being approved as a placement provider, the relevant practice(s) associated with the placement must have had a satisfactory inspection from the relevant health board(s) within the last three years (i.e. there must be no outstanding matters needing addressed).
2.2 Ensure the practice continues to meet all relevant regulatory, contractual, and professional requirements throughout the placement period.
2.3 Ensure the practice has the facilities, equipment and resources required to provide supervised undergraduate clinical placements.
3.1 Provide accurate information during the FTY placement application process, including details of placement capacity, supervision arrangements, placement environment, and student-facing placement information.
3.2 Declare any known limitations of the practice environment that may affect delivery of the placement.
3.3 Participate in the national FTY placement allocation process, including student engagement and submission of provider preferences within the required timescales.
3.4 Commit to supporting the FTY across both placement blocks, with the expectation that the provider will host one student per placement block.
3.5 Participate in student engagement and preferencing in a fair, transparent, and consistent manner, and support reasonable adjustments where required.
3.6 Recognise that provider engagement and preferencing form part of a centrally coordinated allocation process and do not constitute recruitment or selection.
3.7 Notify PSD Scotland promptly of any changes or circumstances that may affect the practice’s ability to provide or continue to deliver the placement, including changes to capacity, supervision arrangements, facilities, or compliance with these Terms. Placements should not normally be withdrawn once advertised except in exceptional circumstances.
3.8 Complete all required post-allocation preparations within the timescales specified by PSD Scotland.
4.1 Provide a safe, appropriate and professional clinical environment that supports the student’s learning and development.
4.2 Ensure students remain supernumerary throughout the placement i.e. the student is additional to the placement provider's minimum staffing establishment and cannot provide sole cover or replace an absent member of staff. The primary purpose of the placement is for the student to learn, and develop their clinical and professional skills, through supervised participation in the clinical service.
4.3 Provide clinical supervision by appropriately registered and insured optometrists who meet FTY eligibility requirements.
4.4 Ensure Clinical Supervisors provide day-to-day supervision, observation, formative feedback and support throughout the placement. Dedicated time should be provided regularly for these activities, with around two hours per week recommended during the early stages of the FTY, reducing as the students' competence and confidence increases. The associated costs of providing this are to be met from the FTY placement grant.
4.5 Ensure Clinical Supervisors complete the mandatory FTY supervisor training delivered through Turas Learn. Funding will be made available to support Clinical Supervisor training that requires to be undertaken A) prior to being approved as a Clinical Supervisor (4 x 0.5-day sessions); B) on a three yearly basis thereafter (2 x 0.5-day sessions). Such funding will be approximately £150 per half day session, at current rates.
4.6 Provide access to an appropriate range of patients, conditions, and clinical experiences to support achievement of the GOC Outcomes.
4.7 Provide paid employment for four working days per week in which the student will normally work between 30 and 32 hours, with hours spread as evenly as practicable across the four working days. Start and finish times may vary according to local service and operational requirements.
4.8 Provide access to a consulting room for the equivalent of at least three days per week.
4.9 Support one protected development day per week for the students to undertake scheduled PSD Scotland or university activities. The day will be flexible and should be scheduled around the student's planned academic activities. The development day schedule will, where possible, be made available in advance of the student commencing the placement.
4.10 Provide access to IT systems, internet connectivity and learning resources (e.g. Turas Learn, Training Portfolio, university learning site) required to support the placement.
4.11 Support reasonable adjustments and an inclusive placement environment, working with PSD Scotland and the relevant university where appropriate.
4.12 Maintain appropriate arrangements for supervision during planned or unplanned supervisor absence and notify PSD Scotland of any impact on placement delivery.
4.13 Provide an appropriate local induction, including health and safety, infection prevention and relevant practice procedures.
5.1 Participate in FTY quality management, monitoring, review and quality assurance activities undertaken by PSD Scotland or the relevant university.
5.2 Provide appropriate information and cooperate with university Fitness to Practise processes where concerns arise during the FTY, in accordance with relevant procedures.
5.3 Participate in FTY evaluation, feedback and quality improvement activities.
6.1 Report concerns relating to a student’s conduct, performance, or patient safety promptly, in line with PSD Scotland and university procedures.
6.2 Comply with all information governance and data protection requirements.
6.3 Notify PSD Scotland promptly of any issue affecting the practice’s ability to continue or deliver the placement.