Variability in practice and quality of care for children and young people with orthopaedic conditions was identified by a network of nurses working in this specialty. Nine benchmarks were developed to help address this variability by providing support for nurses to evaluate and improve practice where necessary. The process of developing the benchmarks is described and lessons learnt are discussed, including the challenges for experts of making the nature of their work explicit. Following publication and dissemination of the benchmarks, an evaluation of their usefulness is planned.