1. Trinity College Dublin Second Annual Disability Service Symposium The Development and Implementation Plans for UCC Fitness to Practice Policy June 26 th 2013

2. Outline of Presentation Background  What do we Understand by Term Fitness to Practice?  Development of U.C.C. Fitness to Practice Policy  Raison D’Etre Implementation of Fitness to Practice Policy- University wide approach  Implementation of FTP- Role of Co-Ordinators  Implementation of FTP- Role of Central Administration  Implementation of FTP – School and University Committees  Role of the Disability Support Service  Dissemination of information to staff and students  Conclusion

3. Background and Reasons to Development of Fitness to Practice Policy Approximately 2,500 students studying for professional degree programmes in UCC DSS interest as currently 142 students with disabilities /specific learning difficulties registered with the Service and pursuing professional degree programmes Disciplines subject to FTP Policy: Nursing and Midwifery Degree Programmes Pharmacy Social Work Youth and Community Work Medicine Dentistry Teacher Education

4. What Do We Understand By the Term Fitness to Practice? Fit to Practice “To describe an individual as Fit to Practice ‟ in the context of certain professions is to say that he or she possesses the attributes considered necessary in an individual to allow that individual to practice as an independent practitioner in the relevant profession” Other Terms Sometimes Used Fit for Practice Fit for Placement Fit to Progress

5. Development of U.C.C. Fitness to Practice Policy – 2010-2012 Working Group consisted of:  Chair: Dr. Michael Byrne, Head of Student Health Service  Representatives from Professional Degree Programmes  Student Ombudsman  Head of the Disability Support Service  Representative from Office of Corporate and Legal Affairs Policy endorsed by Academic Council – Dec. 2012

6. Raison D’Etre Fitness to Practice policies and procedures are needed to ensure that, in addition to having achieved the required academic standard to undertake professional practice, individuals also: 1.Have the capacity to perform key skills and tasks (core competencies) 2.Are healthy of body and mind so as to be able to practice in their profession 3.Conduct and behave themselves so as not to harm their patients, clients, or service users or put them at risk 4.Conduct themselves in a manner likely not to harm the reputation of their profession

7. Implementation of FTP – A University Wide Approach Role/Responsibilities of Co-ordinators of Professional Degree Programme Health Standards Competencies Develop options for exit routes Role/Responsibilities of Administration and Student Health Service Development of process for students to disclose at registration Development of Health Declaration Form Follow up from disclosure Recording Information – Systems Administration Recording Information – Student Records and Examinations Office Role/Responsibilities of the University Administration of Fitness to Practice Policy Communication of Fitness to Practice Policy to staff and students Role/Responsibilities of Disability Support Service Provision of advice on Reasonable Accommodations in Clinical Practice Development of Resource Guide to assist staff working with students with disabilities in professional degree programmes

8. Implementation of FTP- Role of Programme Co-Ordinators Developed Health Standards based on Occupational Health Expert Advice  Considered Best Practice from UK: Higher Education Occupational Practitioners (HEOPS) and adapted to Irish context  Approved by HSE Occupational Health Expert General Principles underlying Health Standards  Broad statements of standards expected is best  Health standards do need to be Programme specific Competencies  Co-ordinators developed Competencies for all professional degree programmes subject to FTP. A full list is available at http://www.ucc.ie/en/academicsecretariat/fitnesstopractise/corecompetenciesandheal thmattersandconductandbehaviourstandards http://www.ucc.ie/en/academicsecretariat/fitnesstopractise/corecompetenciesandheal thmattersandconductandbehaviourstandards Exit Routes: Students reaching academic standard but not FTP  Exit with an alternative non –professional qualification

9. Implementation of FTP- Central Administration  Developed Health Declaration Form  All students pursuing professional programmes subject to FTP are required to complete a Health Declaration Form in relation to good health at registration.  Student confirms that they have read and understood Fitness to Practice Policy guidelines and whether a health/conduct concern is relevant. Next Steps After Disclosure: If a student discloses a health or conduct related concern in the Health Declaration Form, a review is conducted by the Student Health Department and referred to a Consultant Occupational Physician if necessary

10. DSS Input High Level Reasonable Accommodations DSS Input Low Level Reasonable Accommodations

11. Implementation of FTP- Central Administration Student Records and Examinations Office:  Recording process so that students progress to next year/graduation if they Reach the agreed academic standards Deemed Fit to Practice Role of DSS in FTP Implementation Process: Provision of advice on reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities to Clinical Placement Co-Ordinators Development of Clinical Needs Assessment template in collaboration with staff in clinical placement environment Development of Resource Guide to assist staff working with students with disabilities & Specific Learning Difficulties in professional degree programmes

12. Implementation of FTP - Committees School FTP committee impose all sanctions except: Non-Progression from year to year Non-Professional Qualification exit route University FTP committee impose all sanctions incl: Non-Progression from year to year Non-Professional Qualification exit route Operation of School and University FTP Procedures Monitored by the University FTP Committee Will inform revisions, additions and deletions to FTP Policy Appeals Committee: A separate Appeals Committee will review all appeals vis a vis Fitness to Practice Outcomes

15. Dissemination of FTP Information to Students and Staff Marks and Standards College Calendar Course Information Leaflets Course Web page Course Handbooks Placement and Supervision Contracts Mid-Placement and Final Placement Assessment Forms General Course Information Documents

16. Conclusion Information on Fitness to Practice is available on the UCC website at: http://www.ucc.ie/en/academicsecretariat/FitnesstoPractise/

17. Contact Mary O’Grady Disability Support Officer Phone: 021 490 2985 Email: dssinfo@ucc.ie Web:www.ucc.ie/dss