International evidence demonstrates that practice based assessors who are called mentors in the UK find it difficult to fail underperforming students (Duffy 2003; Luhanga et al. 2008; Hughes and Mitchell 2016). If they do fail the student the experience often leaves them both mentally and physically drained (Black et al. 2013). Once the student has left the placement area mentors often receive no further feedback this exacerbates anxiety frustration fear and guilt which can lead to burn-out (Schaffner 2013). Mentors have reported that they need the opportunity to vent after the experience to be given feedback and the opportunity to understand why some assessment decisions where not upheld. Failure to meet these needs can result in mentors refusing to continue undertaking the role (Hunt et al. 2016).
