Fitness to Practise Overview

As part of their UCC programme of study, some students are required to undertake placement and training that involve dealing directly with patients, clients or service users. Since it is of over-riding importance to protect members of the public from harm and to maintain the trust and confidence of the general public, of the professions and the University, it is vital that students are deemed fit to practise while on placement. Fitness to Practise means the ability of a student to meet the relevant professional and/or disciplinary standards applicable to their programme of study and to possess the skills,  competencies, knowledge, character and health necessary to participate safely and effectively in education, training and placement as a student on a programme subject to Fitness to Practise.
In the context of this Policy, a student who is deemed Fit to Practise should;

1. Have the capacity to perform the key skills and tasks (Core Competencies) required of a student on the programme, at the appropriate stage of their studies;
2. be of sufficient health, wellbeing and capacity to enable safe and effective participation in education, training and placement (or Work Integrated Learning);
3. Conduct and behave themselves in a manner that does not place Service Users, the public, themselves or others at risk of harm;
4. Conduct and behave themselves in a manner that upholds the standards and reputation of the profession and the University, appropriate to their status as a student.
   The assessment of a student’s Fitness to Practise under this Policy relates to their ability to participate safely and effectively in their programme of study, including placement and professional training.

All students of certain programmes in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards in order to progress to the next year of their programme. A programme subject to the Fitness to Practise policy is a programme which has been approved by UCC’s Academic Council as being subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy. These programmes generally involve interaction with Service Users¹ and involves training and practice in clinical or professional settings, or, permit graduates to register with a Professional, Regulatory or Statutory Body (PRSB).

¹Service Users – means individuals with whom a student interacts in the course of educational, clinical, placement or professional practice activities, including but not limited to clients, patients or members of the public who receive or are affected by services provided as part of a programme subject to this Fitness to Practise Policy, the student themselves, other students or staff. For the avoidance of doubt, where interaction with children, vulnerable adults or other protected groups occurs, relevant safeguarding and vetting requirements (including UCC’s Student Garda Vetting Policy) also apply.

A full list of the programmes subject to this Fitness to Practise requirement is available below. Students registering on these programmes are required to read and accept the Fitness to Practice requirements at registration and annually at re-registration.
Details of the core competencies relating to Fitness to Practise for the relevant programmes are available below.

Fitness to Practise Policy

Direct link to the policy: Fitness to Practise Policy (v2.0)  

The UCC Fitness to Practise Policy and other Student Policies are available on the Academic Policy Portal.

Programmes Subject to Fitness to Practise

Self-disclosure of a health concern

When you register or reregister as a student on a programme which is subject to Fitness to Practise, you will be asked to make a declaration as to any concerns you may have as to you own Fitness to Practise that arises from a health and/or a criminal matter.  It is important that you indicate a Fitness to Practise concern each year, even if you have previously disclosed it at registration. 

If you indicate a health concern during registration, your will also be asked to indicate your primary health concern at registration (from a dropdown list).  Your School will be in contact with you to arrange a meeting to discuss your health concern(s).  Some students may be referred to UCC’s appointed Occupational Health Services provider for assessment. 

Many people with health conditions or disabilities or specific learning difficulties are able to practise with or without adjustments to support their practise and are legally supported in this by the Equal Status Act 2000 – 2015.  By declaring a Fitness to Practise health concern, we can ensure that, where possible, the University will make reasonable accommodation to support you during your studies.

Fitness to Practise criminal matters are addressed through the UCC Student Vetting Policy and Procedure.

Reasonable Accommodations

This policy is intended to ensure that students with disabilities/learning differences/significant ongoing health conditions may access a holistic learning experience on an equal footing to all members of the UCC community. This policy provides a framework for the provision of Reasonable Accommodations for students with disabilities/ learning differences/significant ongoing health conditions who have registered with Disability Support in UCC.

Data Protection notice

Data Protection Notice (Fitness to Practise)

The Data Protection Notice in relation to the management of student self-declarations and/or self-disclosures in relation to the UCC Fitness to Practise Policy can be viewed at:

Data Protection Notice (Fitness to Practise)  

Other related links 

• UCC’s Data Protection Policy
• UCC Student Vetting Policy and Procedures
• UCC Admissions Office Student Vetting
• EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 
• EU Guidance on Legal Bases for Processing Personal Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do we mean by the term “Fitness to Practise”?
2. Which programmes are subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC?
3. Why has UCC introduced Fitness to Practise for these programmes?
4. Can I read the Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedure document?
5. If I have an illness/disability/specific learning difficulty, does this mean I can’t do certain programmes?
6. If I have an illness/disability or specific learning difficulty, do I have to disclose this to the University?
7. Where can I get further advice?
8. I have a previous criminal conviction. Does this mean I can’t do certain programmes?
9. What issues or matters might give rise to a cause for concern about an individual’s Fitness to Practise?
10. If I declare a Health Matter, what happens next?
11. If I declare a Criminal Conviction, what happens next?
12. What happens if I am deemed not to have fulfilled the Fitness to Practise requirements?
13. Can I be assured of confidentiality?
14. I have futher questions, who can I contact?

 1. What do we mean by the term “Fitness to Practise” ?

Fitness to Practise (FTP) refers to a student’s ability to meet the professional and academic standards required for their programme. This includes having the necessary skills, knowledge, health, character and behaviour to participate safely and effectively in education, training and placements.

2. Which programmes are subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC?

Fitness to Practise applies to programmes approved by Academic Council that typically involve professional training, placements, or registration with a regulatory body (e.g. healthcare, education, social work and related disciplines). 

A full list of these programmes is available on our Fitness to Practise webpage  

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3. Why has UCC introduced Fitness to Practise for these programmes?

The policy exists to:

• Protect the public, service users, students and staff
• Ensure students meet professional standards
• Provide support where concerns arise
• Maintain the integrity and reputation of the University and professions

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4. Can I read the Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedure document?

Yes. The full Fitness to Practise Policy and supporting procedures are available to students and prospective students via UCC Academic Governance webpages and programme information materials and is available on our Fitness to Practise webpage . 

5. If I have an illness/disability/specific learning difficulty, does this mean I can’t do certain programmes?

No. Having a health condition, disability or specific learning difficulty does not automatically prevent you from undertaking a programme. Many students can successfully participate with or without reasonable accommodations and are legally supported in this by the Equal Status Act 2000 – 2015.  

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6. If I have an illness/disability or specific learning difficulty, do I have to disclose this to the University?

You are encouraged to disclose any condition where it may affect your ability to participate safely and effectively, or where you may need supports. Disclosure helps the University to put reasonable accommodations and supports in place.

7. Where can I get further advice?

I

You can seek advice from:

• Your School or Programme Director
• Disability Support Service
• Student Health
• Students’ Union
• Student Ombudsman

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8.  I have a previous criminal conviction. Does this mean I can’t do certain programmes?

Not necessarily. A criminal conviction does not automatically prevent participation, but it may be reviewed as part of Fitness to Practise and/or the Student Garda Vetting processes to ensure suitability for the programme and profession. 

9. What issues or matters might give rise to a cause for concern about an individual’s Fitness to Practise?

Concerns may include:

• Health or wellbeing issues affecting safe participation
• Behaviour or conduct that poses risk to others
• Failure to meet required competencies
• Criminal or honesty concerns
• Repeated failure to engage with supports or processes

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10. If I declare a Health Matter, what happens next?

Your declaration will be reviewed by the Head of School (or nominee), who may:

• Take no further action
• Agree a support or management plan
• Refer you for an independent occupational health assessment

The aim is to support you while ensuring safe participation.

11. If I declare a Criminal Conviction, what happens next?

The matter will be considered in line with Student Garda Vetting and University procedures. Relevant staff (e.g. Admissions or Programme teams) will assess the implications for your programme or placement.

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12. What happens if I am deemed not to have fulfilled the Fitness to Practise requirements?

Outcomes depend on the circumstances and may include:

• Continued study with supports or conditions
• Additional training or repetition of elements
• Interruption of studies
• Transfer to another programme
• In serious cases, suspension or withdrawal from the programme

13. Can I be assured of confidentiality?

Yes. Information shared as part of Fitness to Practise processes is treated confidentially and handled in line with data protection requirements. Access is limited to those directly involved in managing the process.

You can view the Data Protection notice on our Fitness to Practise webpage  

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14. I have further questions, who can I contact?

If you have further queries about Fitness to Practise and how it may apply to your circumstances, contact your School or Programme team in the first instance.

For further information about the Fitness to Practise policy, contact the Academic Affairs and Governance Office or the Academic Secretary.

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