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Fitness to Practise

Fitness to Practise

A number of the programmes which the University offers entitle successful graduates to become registered members of regulated professions.

The regulators of those professions (also known as Professional, Statutory, Regulatory Bodies or PSRBs) require that the University has processes in place to ensure that students are fit to practise during the programme and on registration.

Our Fitness to Practise Procedure sets out our policy on fitness to practise and the procedure we have put in place to discharge our duty to ensure that our students are fit to practise during their programme and on registration.

If your programme comes under the fitness to practise policy you will have previously been informed of this in publicity material and during the application process. You will also find further information within your programme handbook and other course-related materials. Please ensure that you check these carefully and understand the requirements that apply to you.

 

The assessment of a student’s fitness to practise has a three-fold purpose:

  1. Protection of the public
  2. Upholding professional standards, including the relevant code of conduct
  3. Contributing to the maintenance of the reputation of the profession and public confidence in the profession

The purpose is the same whether in relation to an already registered and practising member of a profession, or a student working towards professional registration.

Students seeking to join a profession are expected to demonstrate the same behaviour as registrants but it is acknowledged that they are on a programme of instruction and are not yet full members of the profession.

 

There are a wide range of events or behaviours that may give rise to concern regarding a student’s fitness to practise, including:

  • the exercise of professional practice
  • other conduct which may or may not be related to professional practice but may have an impact on the reputation of the profession
  • a single incident serious enough to cause concern
  • a series of incidents (serious or less so) the cumulative effect of which is enough to cause concern

Concerns may be identified by a range of sources, including University or placement staff, other students or members of the general public. A concern may also be identified following another University process or through your annual declaration.

Your Head of School will determine whether further action is required and may take further action e.g. suspending you from your placement while an investigation is carried out. Full details on the investigation process and possible outcomes can be found in the procedure.