FITNESS TO PRACTISE - Information for applicants

13Providers should set out the professional requirements of the course clearly in the information available to students at the application and induction stage. This should include any information that the student will need to disclose when they apply or before they are able to go on a placement. This information may include:

• whether the student has relevant previous convictions. Whether the conviction is relevant will depend on the course and the nature of the conviction and when the conviction occurred;
• any safeguarding concerns including concerns about close family members;
• whether the student has previously been found not fit to practise;
• whether the student has a physical, mental or cognitive impairment or health condition that may be relevant to their ability to reach the necessary professional requirements;
• any other health-related matters such as whether the student has had the necessary immunisations; and
• any relevant information about their personal history, for example, social work students who have been social care service users.

14Providers should tell students where they can go for advice about what information they may need to disclose, and the possible consequences of not disclosing relevant information.

15When a student discloses information to the provider during the application process it is important that the provider considers that information and decides whether it will affect the student’s fitness for practice, or the support that they will need, well before the student begins their studies.

16In some cases, a provider may be able to give a disabled student more support than might be available in the workplace. This might mean that the provider can support the student to achieve the necessary professional and academic standards, but that they might not be able to practise because their support needs cannot be met in the workplace. If the provider knows this might be an issue, it should explain to the student at the application stage that there is a risk they may not be able to practise their profession so that they can make an informed choice about whether to begin their studies.