HCPC consults on returning to practice and publishes student ethics guidance

22 July 2016

The regulatory body for hearing aid dispensers has begun a consultation process on revised guidance to dispensers who are planning to return to work after a long absence.

They are particularly keen to hear from professionals who are currently not practising but are considering returning to work, or are considering a break in their practice, and thinking about what this might mean in the future.  The Council says the consultation will also be of interest for employers who are considering supervising or employing a professional who is returning to practice.

The revised guidance Returning to Practice is based on a booklet on the subject published by the HCPC in 2006.  Changes include a restructure of the Guidance to provide additional clarity and clarification on what the HCPC means by ‘practising your profession’ as well as certain aspects of the requirements.

You can download the existing guidance published in 2006 and revised in 2011 HERE (PDF)

Download Proposed revisions HERE (PDF)

Download a guide to the consultation process HERE (PDF)

The Council has also just published revised guidance on conduct and ethics for students – a move which follows changes to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.

The changes include a strengthening of the requirements for students to report concerns about the safety and wellbeing of service users or carers,  a new requirement to inform an appropriate member of staff at their education provider or practice placement provider if something has gone wrong in any care, treatment or other services they have carried out on or with a service user.

There’s new guidance for students to support the development of their knowledge and skills on delegation and to safeguard the safety and wellbeing of service users or carers at all times.  Changes to the structure of the guidance improve its accessibility  especially the structuring the guidance to correspond to the revised Standards of conduct, performance and ethics.

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