Many education providers are navigating difficult financial positions, which can affect programme sustainability, resourcing, and future planning.
While we are not responsible for providing funding or direct financial support for the education providers or programmes we approve, we are keen to provide clarity and guidance where we can.
At the same time, our core priority will always be public protection. This means we need to be assured that education providers and programmes continue to meet our standards, which are in place to ensure that those who complete an approved programme are safe, effective, and fit to practise.
The NHS 10 Year Health Plan in England
Financial pressures are also part of a wider landscape of change in healthcare. For example, in England, the NHS 10 Year Health Plan sets out a strategic direction to create a more responsive, preventative, and digital NHS and details ambitions to grow and support the health and care workforce over the next 10 years.
Understanding external drivers, alongside internal financial planning, can be the key to sustaining high-quality education and training for the future.
Alongside this, we've also published an update on staffing considerations that highlights the impact of workforce changes on HCPC-approved programmes.
We do not set ‘input’-type requirements, such as staff / learner ratios or specific qualifications that staff must hold.
We ask that you consider the expectations of other organisations, such as professional bodies, when designing or developing your staffing model, but will not hold you to those expectations.
This means that you can resource your programmes in a variety of ways, as long as staff are able to deliver effective programmes.
If you make changes to your staffing model, you do not need to do anything proactive with us. We ask that you reflect on changes to your resources through your periodic performance review assessment.
Education assessments
Our education assessments give us an insight into the pressures that education providers are facing. Out of these, our financial sustainability insight outlines the importance of strong planning and awareness of the wider financial environment whilst also having a need to balance investment in resources with staffing and practice-based learning opportunities.
You can read more about these assessments on the Education section of our website below.
HCPC support
If financial pressures or sector changes are affecting your HCPC-approved programme(s), please get in touch with your national / regional lead at the HCPC, in the first instance.
Our national / regional leads oversee quality assurance within their nations / English regions and can advise on any matters impacting the approval, quality, or performance of your provision. Feel free to reach out for an informal chat.
