The College of Radiographers (CoR) has issued recommendations to education providers in support of members working in higher education who continue to face significant challenges which may result in industrial action.
CoR recommends that HEIs ensure their programmes continue to be delivered in accordance with the standards under which they were approved, regardless of staffing constraints or industrial disputes.
Senior university leaders and programme teams are advised to conduct robust risk assessments and put contingency arrangements in place to ensure this.
Alexandra Partner, CoR’s education and accreditation officer, said: “We are aware of the increasingly challenging circumstances in which education providers are operating. Some situations have led to industrial action, and we want to provide guidance for those working through this.
“It is vital that CoR-approved programmes are delivered in the way they were approved and that patient safety standards are maintained. We encourage anyone in these difficult circumstances to reach out to SCoR professional officers and trade union and industrial relations colleagues so we can support members and learners collaboratively.”
A letter issued to students and higher education institutions (HEIs) outlines the expectations for CoR-approved pre- and post-registration education programmes during industrial action.
Nichola Browne, students and new professionals officer at the SoR, said: “Students should not be disadvantaged by industrial action that is outside their control.
“While we fully respect the right of staff to take lawful industrial action, HEIs have a responsibility to ensure students can continue to achieve their learning outcomes, complete professional requirements, and progress into the workforce without avoidable disruption to their ability to secure employment. Student interests must remain at the heart of all contingency planning.”
Key areas of risk may include delivery of learning, teaching and assessment, ratifying students’ progression and/or completion of programmes, maintaining oversight of practice learning, safeguarding student wellbeing and keeping students informed of any changes to their programme.
The SoR expects providers to maintain oversight of clinical placements, arrange appropriate academic cover where staffing shortages arise, safeguard student wellbeing and keep learners informed of changes.
Students must be kept informed of changes to delivery through clear, transparent communication. Providers must also notify the College of Radiographers at the earliest opportunity if industrial action significantly threatens programme delivery or students’ ability to achieve the required standards for registration.
Further information about the College of Radiographers Education Approval processes is available online via the SoR website.