Introduction

1. In this document, "we", "our" and "us" refer to Sheffield Hallam University. "You" and "your" refer to students at Sheffield Hallam University. These regulations apply to enrolled students studying on courses which lead to a professional qualification where there are statutory or professional or regulatory body requirements relating to health or behaviour or attitudes. They also apply to students who are already a registered member of the profession. Although these regulations do not apply to applicants, issues regarding applications may be considered under these regulations. A list of the courses these regulations apply to is available in Annex A. Courses may be added or removed from Annex A on application to the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategy and Operations (or nominee).

2. Fitness to Practise is the ability to meet professional standards; it is about character, professional competence and health. Issues considered under these regulations include those relating to your health, behaviour or attitude which may affect your fitness to practise in the relevant profession. These concerns may arise inside or outside the University and may be brought to our attention by any person or organisation.

3. We are committed to ensuring that you are fit to practise in the relevant profession and that you meet the professional standards of the relevant professional, statutory, or regulatory body. We also ensure that you are made aware of any concerns about your fitness to practise and that any decisions about your fitness to practise are arrived at through a fair and transparent process. The purpose of a fitness to practise process is to be supportive and ensure the safety of you and those around you, including members of the public. We are committed to the maintenance of public confidence in professions and upholding proper standards of conduct and behaviour.

4. Where issues may be considered under another University regulation or policy as well as this one, eg. Academic Conduct Regulation, Disciplinary Regulations and Procedures, we will use the most appropriate procedure. We take account of fairness to you, the scope and purpose of the regulations and our responsibility to professional, statutory and regulatory bodies. A disciplinary matter might lead to fitness to practise proceedings if the behaviour reported calls into question your fitness to practise.

5. The impact of any concerns about your fitness to practise will be decided in the context of the professional standards of the relevant professional, statutory, or regulatory body applying to your programme of study. We are responsible for making you aware of the relevant professional standards. You are responsible for familiarising yourself with the relevant professional standards and meeting the requirements. Links to professional body standards can be found in Annex A.

6. You are required to self-report to the University on matters relating to your health, behaviour or attitude, eg. if you are the subject of criminal justice processes or employee/student disciplinary processes. Such requirements may be profession specific, and you will be made aware of these in course-specific documentation. Failure to self-report may lead to action under these regulations.

7. If you are already a registered member of a profession, and/or employed then you have a responsibility to report any potential breaches of professional standards of behaviour to the relevant professional body, and/or to your employer as necessary. Failure to provide evidence that you have self-reported may lead to action under these Regulations.