Consultation on amendments to our education and training rules
Consultation on amendments to our education and training rules
Contents
Introduction
When we became the regulator for the social work profession in 2019, we set out our ambition to improve the quality and consistency of education and training through specialist regulation and collaboration. Since then, we have:
- set new education and training standards;
- published our approach to social work education and training;
- reapproved all social work provision in England, amounting to 257 courses, and approved over 100 new courses.
We have taken a collaborative approach to this work, engaging with internal and external stakeholders including our National Advisory Forum (NAF), Education and Training Advisory Forum (ETAF) and Practice Education Development Group (PEDG). Membership across these groups include representatives from organisations with broad experience and expert knowledge of social work education in England. They also include representatives from organisations with strategic interests in social work education alongside representatives with lived experience of social work. This activity has provided a wealth of knowledge about current social work education, social work practice, and the sector as a whole.
Following the completion of our first reapproval cycle, we’ve used this learning to inform a review of our rules, 2021 education and training standards and associated guidance. We want to ensure that our approach to quality assurance of courses is effective and sustainable. In partnership with the sector, we have also developed new ‘readiness for professional practice guidance’ which provides further detail for education and training providers on how to equip social work students to meet our professional standards.
This consultation relates only to amendments to our education and training rules. Our rules set out what people can expect from us as the regulator. Given that we are proposing to amend our education and training rules, we are now carrying out a public consultation. Following the outcome of the consultation, we will submit any proposed changes to the Secretary of State for Education. We propose to implement any changes from Autumn 2026.
We’re consulting now to give course providers adequate notice of changes that may affect their courses. However, an independent review of Social Work England is currently ongoing, and the outcome of this consultation may be shaped by the findings from the review.
We are also consulting on proposed changes to our education and training standards and guidance, and readiness for professional practice. You can respond to these online by 5pm on Thursday 6 August 2026.
A summary of the proposed changes
This consultation proposes the following changes to our education and training rules.
Minor amendments
We have proposed some amendments to make the structure of the rules clearer, offer consistency of language across rules, or clarify existing processes. We have not included the detail of such changes here, but the full proposals can be found in the table of draft rule changes:
(see annex A).
View or download annex A as a PDF
Approval and reapproval of courses, qualifications, and tests of knowledge
Where we have made changes to the rules relating to the education and training approval process, we have replicated this for the equivalent rules in relation to the reapproval process. We have not included the full detail of such changes but have indicated the number of the corresponding rules.
- Rules 5(5) and 6(6) have been amended to reflect the process for sharing information with inspectors ahead of an inspection.
- Rules 5(6), 5(7), 6(7), 6(8), and 9(10) specify the time periods for sharing information and agreement or consideration of the draft inspection report. For consistency, we propose that these will all be defined in working days. Each number of working days has been calculated to ensure that they remain as close to current time frames as possible.
- Rules 5(8), 5(9A), 5(9B) and 6(8), 6(9), 6(10) outline the process by which a course provider can provide factual corrections and observations on the draft report. We have amended these rules to clarify that, where no factual corrections or observations are suggested by the course provider, the report can be treated as the final inspection report. This proposal should allow reports to progress towards a regulatory decision more efficiently when no factual corrections or observations are provided.
- Rule 5(10)(c) now uses the term ‘refused approval’ rather than ‘not granted approval’ to be consistent with the wording of our regulations.
- Rule 5(11) now uses the term ‘date of decision’ rather than ‘date of consideration’ to provide clarity about the final stage in the approval/reapproval process.
Monitoring of courses, qualifications and tests of knowledge
- Rule 9(12) has been amended to reflect that the regulator can act upon its own concerns, as well as those identified by any other bodies. This amendment is a change in language and is intended to provide clarity on current processes, rather than propose a change.
Reapproval of courses, qualifications and tests of knowledge (specified intervals)
The Social Workers Regulations 2018 state that the regulator must ‘make rules setting out the education and training approval scheme which must consider reapproval of approved courses of initial education and training… at specified intervals of not more than six years’. The regulations also require us to provide more detail on what this specified interval is within our rules.
As the rules are currently drafted, we interpret them to mean that the reapproval for each individual course should be carried out as close to 6 years after its last reapproval. This means repeating the same 3-year schedule every 6 years and gives no flexibility in approach, for both course providers and us as the regulator.
To address this, we are proposing to include 2 additional rules:
- Rule 5(12) which relates to the approval of courses:
The regulator may, on granting approval under rule 5(10)(a) or (b) above or at any time thereafter, notify the relevant institution concerned of the proposed interval before re-approval of the approved course. - Rule 7 which relates to the reapproval of courses:
The regulator may, on granting re-approval under rule 6(12)(a) or (b) above or at any time thereafter, notify the relevant institution concerned of the proposed interval before re-approval of the approved course.
The addition of the 2 rules above would allow us to notify course providers of the expected timeframe for their next reapproval inspection either at the point of regulatory decision or following the conclusion of the reapproval cycle. This would satisfy the requirement in our regulations to provide more detail on specified intervals whilst maintaining the 6-year timeframe.
Rules 6(1) and 6(2) have been revised to ensure that they reflect the proposed changes above.
How we are consulting
We are required to consult whenever we want to make changes to our rules. We are committed to consulting with the profession and public when we make changes to our approach.
We also want to hear from people that these changes will affect, and everyone with an interest in social work, including:
- social workers
- employers of social workers
- organisations representing the interests of social workers
- people with lived experience of social work
- people providing, assessing, or funding education and training for social workers and prospective social workers
How to respond
The consultation period is 8 weeks and will end on Thursday 6 August 2026.
You can respond to this consultation through our survey. You can also respond by email to consultation.responses@socialworkengland.org.uk Please use ‘Education and training rules consultation’ as the email title.
If you need any reasonable adjustments to help you respond, please contact us at consultation.responses@socialworkengland.org.uk
Following the consultation period, we will publish a consultation response along with the final rules on our website.
Consultation questions
Questions on proposed new rules on specified intervals for reapproval of courses, qualifications and tests of knowledge:
1. To what extent do you agree that proposed amendments:
- make the rules clearer?
- offer consistent use of language and terminology?
- clarify existing education quality assurance processes?
Please give reasons for your answer
2. To what extent do you agree that the proposed wording is clear for:
- Rule 5(13)?
- Rule 7?
Please give reasons for your answer
3. To what extent do you agree that proposed amendments to rules 6 (1) and (2) offer clarity about specified intervals for reapproval?
Question across all proposals:
4. Do you think that the proposed changes to the rules could have a positive or negative impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics? Please give reasons for your answer.
The Equality Act (2010) lists nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.
If you would like a copy of the questions by email, please contact us at: consultation.responses@socialworkengland.org.uk
Draft rule changes (annex A)
Rule 2
2. In these Rules:
‘the Act’ means the Children and Social Work Act 2017
‘adviser’ has the meaning given in regulation 4(2)
‘AMHPs course’ has the meaning given in regulation 2(1)
‘approved course of initial education and training’ has the meaning given in regulation 20(2)
‘approved qualification’ has the meaning given in regulation 20(2)
‘education and training approval scheme’ has the meaning given in regulation 20(1)
‘inspector’ has the meaning given in regulation 21(2)‘registered social worker’ has the meaning given in regulation 2(5)
‘regulation’ means a regulation in The Social Workers Regulations 2018, and ‘regulations’ shall be interpreted accordingly
‘regulator’ means Social Work England or a person carrying out the functions of the regulator set out in the regulations
‘relevant institutions’ has the meaning given in regulation 20(5), and ‘relevant institution’ is to be construed accordingly
‘Schedule’ means a Schedule of the Regulations
‘Scheme’ means the education and training approval scheme defined in regulation 20
Amendment
2. In these Rules:
‘the Act’ means the Children and Social Work Act 2017
‘adviser’ has the meaning given in regulation 4(2)
‘AMHPs course’ has the meaning given in regulation 2(1)
‘approved course of initial education and training’ has the meaning given in regulation 20(2)
‘approved qualification’ has the meaning given in regulation 20(2)
‘education and training approval scheme’ has the meaning given in regulation 20(1)
‘inspector’ has the meaning given in regulation 21(2)‘registered social worker’ has the meaning given in regulation 2(5)
‘regulation’ means a regulation in The Social Workers Regulations 2018, and ‘regulations’ shall be interpreted accordingly
‘regulator’ means Social Work England or a person carrying out the functions of the regulator set out in the regulations
‘relevant institutions’ has the meaning given in regulation 20(5), and ‘relevant institution’ is to be construed accordingly
‘Schedule’ means a Schedule of the Regulations
‘Scheme’ means the education and training approval scheme defined in regulation 20.
‘Working days’ means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, a day which is a bank holiday in England, Christmas Day or Good Friday.
Purpose
To include reference to working days within interpretation of rules.
Rule
4. In order to approve courses of initial education and training, qualifications, tests of knowledge of English, BIA and AMHPs courses the regulator will subject relevant institutions concerned with the delivery of such courses, qualifications and tests to an inspection by one or more inspectors in accordance with regulation 21. Such inspections will aim to ensure that all such courses, qualifications and tests of knowledge meet the standards for education and training and professional standards.
Amendment
4. In order to approve courses of initial education and training, qualifications, tests of knowledge of English, BIA and AMHPs courses the regulator will subject relevant institutions concerned with the delivery of such courses, qualifications and tests to an inspection by one or more inspectors in accordance with regulation 21. Such inspections will aim to ensure that all such courses, qualifications and tests of knowledge meet the standards for education and training and professional standards.
(4A) A relevant institution seeking approval for courses of initial education and training, qualifications, tests of knowledge of English, BIA and AMHPs courses must provide, in the form required by the regulator:
a request for approval
any other information requested by the regulator
(4B)As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of the request under rule 4A, the regulator will:
Propose a date for the inspection
allocate inspectors and a member of the regulator’s staff to the inspection.
undertake a conflict of interest procedure in accordance with rule 11 of The Social Work England (Investigators, Case Examiners, Adjudicators and Inspectors) Rules 2019
Purpose
Structure and wording of rule 4 changed to clarify process.
Rule
5. (1) Relevant institutions seeking approval to deliver a course of initial education and training, qualifications and tests of knowledge of English, must provide, in the form required by the regulator, evidence of how they meet the criteria for approval set out at rule 3(2)(a)-(c).
Amendment
5. (1) Relevant institutions seeking approval to deliver a course of initial education and training, qualifications and tests of knowledge of English, must provide, in the form required by the regulator, information to show how they meet the criteria for approval set out at rule 3(2)(a)-(c), and any other information requested by the regulator as being relevant to the inspection no less than 40 working days before the date of the inspection.
Purpose
Structure and wording of rule 5 changed to clarify process and new rule structure.
Rule
5 (2) On receipt of this evidence, the regulator will:
(a) select a date for the inspection;
(b) allocate inspectors and a member of the regulator’s staff to the inspection;
(c) undergo a conflict of interest procedure in accordance with rule 11 of The Social Work England (Investigators, Case Examiners, Adjudicators and Inspectors) Rules 2019;
(d) confirm the date of the inspection with the relevant institution seeking approval; and
(e) notify the relevant institution seeking approval if any further evidence is required prior to an inspection being undertaken, and request this further information from the relevant institution.
Amendment
5 (2) On receipt of the information set out at rules 5(1), 5(3) and 5(4), the regulator will:
(a) determine whether the information provided is sufficient to proceed to inspection;
(b) notify the relevant institution seeking approval if any further information is required prior to an inspection being undertaken, and request this further information from the relevant institution.
(c) confirm the date of the inspection with the relevant institution seeking approval, or, where further information is required under rule 5(2)(b), the regulator may in its discretion, rearrange the inspection and notify the relevant institution of the revised date.
Purpose
Structure and wording of rule 5 changed to clarify process and new rule structure.
Rule
(5) On receipt of the information provided under rule 5(1) and no less than 40 working days before the date of the inspection, the regulator will send the information to the inspectors for review.
Amendment
(5) On receipt of the information provided under rule 5(1), 5(3) and 5(4) above, and any further information provided in response to a request under rule 5(2)(b), and no less than 40 working days before the date of the inspection, the regulator will send the information to the inspectors for review.
Purpose
Structure and wording of rule 5 changed to clarify process and new rule structure.
Rule
(6) On receipt of any information requested under rule 5(2)(e), the regulator will:
(a) confirm the date of the inspection with the relevant institution, or
(b) rearrange the inspection and notify the relevant institution of the revised date,
Amendment
Removed.
Purpose
Rule 5(6) removed as information contained elsewhere within rule 5.
Rule
(7) Following the inspection, the member of the regulator’s staff appointed under rule 5(2)(b)will write a draft inspection report on behalf of the inspectors which will be:
(a) agreed by the inspectors within 42 calendar days of the date of the inspection; and
(b) sent to the relevant institution concerned within 10 working days of that agreement.
Amendment
(6) Following the inspection, the member of the regulator’s staff appointed under rule 4B(b) will write a draft inspection report on behalf of the inspectors which will be:
(a) agreed by the inspectors within 30 working days of the date of the inspection; and
(b) sent to the relevant institution concerned within 10 working days of that agreement.
Purpose
Rule order moved up following deletion of rule 5(6).
Working days used instead of calendar days for consistency.
Rule
(8) The relevant institution concerned may provide factual corrections to the draft inspection report to the regulator within 28 calendar days, and these may result in the draft inspection report being amended.
(9) The final report will be sent to the relevant institution within 10 working days of any amendments made under rule 5(8), and the relevant institution may provide any observations on the final inspection report for consideration by the regulator within 10 working days of receipt of the report.
Amendment
(8) Where no factual corrections or observations are provided by the relevant institution, the report will be treated as the final inspection report.
(9) Where no factual corrections or observations are provided by the relevant institution, the report will be treated as the final inspection report.
(9A) Where the relevant institution proposes factual corrections and/or provides observations, the regulator will provide such suggested factual corrections and/or observations to the inspectors who will consider whether to make any amendments to the report
(9B) Where material amendments are made to the report under rule 5(9A), the final report will be sent to the relevant institution within 10 working days, and the relevant institution may provide any observations on the final inspection report for consideration by the regulator within 10 working days of receipt of the report.
Purpose
(8)-(9) replaced by (8), (9), (9A), (9B).
Structure and wording of rule 5 changed to clarify process and new rule structure.
Rule
(10) The final inspection report, and any observations provided by the relevant institution at rule 5(9) above, will be considered by the regulator, and:
(a) if the relevant institution concerned satisfies the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable any person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards referred to in rule3(2)(b) above, the relevant institution will be granted approval without conditions and the course will be added to the regulator’s list of approved courses in accordance with rule16(3) below; or
(b) if the relevant institution concerned satisfies the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable the person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards set out in rule3(2)(b) above with some exceptions in specific areas, the relevant institution concerned will be granted approval with conditions in accordance with rules 12 and 13 below and the course will be added to the regulator’s list of approved courses in accordance with rule16(3) below; or
(c) if the relevant institution concerned does not satisfy the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable the person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards, the relevant institution concerned will not be granted approval in accordance with rule14 below.
Amendment
(10) The final inspection report, and any observations provided by the relevant institution at rule 5(8)(b) or 5(9B) above, will be considered by the regulator, and:
(a) if the relevant institution concerned satisfies the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable any person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards referred to in rule3(2)(b) above, the relevant institution will be granted approval without conditions and the course will be added to the regulator’s list of approved courses in accordance with rule16(3) below; or
(b) if the relevant institution concerned satisfies the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable the person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards set out in rule3(2)(b) above with some exceptions in specific areas, the relevant institution concerned will be granted approval with conditions in accordance with rules 12 and 13 below and the course will be added to the regulator’s list of approved courses in accordance with rule16(3) below; or
(c) if the relevant institution concerned does not satisfy the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable the person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards, the relevant institution concerned will be refused approval in accordance with rule 14 below.
Purpose
Structure and wording of rule 5 changed to clarify process and new rule structure.
Rule 5 (10)(c) now uses the language ‘refused approval’, rather than ‘not granted approval’.
Rule
(11) The regulator will inform the relevant institution concerned of the outcome of the approval process and provide the final inspection report within 10 working days of the date of the consideration by the regulator.
Amendment
(11) The regulator will inform the relevant institution concerned of the outcome of the approval process and provide the final inspection report within 10 working days of the date of the decision by the regulator.
Purpose
Wording changed from ‘date of consideration’ to ‘date of decision’.
Rule
No previous rule existed.
Amendment
(12) the regulator may, on granting approval under rule 5(10)(a) or (b) above or at any time thereafter, notify the relevant institution concerned of the proposed interval before re-approval of the approved course.
Purpose
Addition of rule 5(12) to include reference to date of notification of approval.
Rule
6. In order to re-approve courses of initial education and/or training, qualifications, tests of knowledge of English, BIA and AMHPs courses the regulator will subject relevant institutions concerned with the delivery of such courses, qualifications and tests to an inspection by one or more inspectors in accordance with regulation 21. Such inspections will aim to ensure that all such courses, qualifications and tests of knowledge meet the required standards for education and training and professional standards.
Amendment
6(1)The regulator will consider the re-approval of courses of initial education and/or training, qualifications, tests of knowledge of English, BIA and AMHPs courses at specified intervals to be determined by the regulator:
(a) such intervals to be notified to the relevant institution by the regulator under Rules 5(12) or 7 of these Rules or at any other time subject to a minimum notice period of 9 months;
(b) not to exceed six years from the most recent date of notification of approval under rule 5(11) or re-approval under rule 6(11);
(2) In order to consider the re-approval of courses under rule 6(1) above, the regulator will subject relevant institutions concerned with the delivery of such courses, qualifications and tests to an inspection by one or more inspectors in accordance with regulation 21. Such inspections will aim to ensure that all such courses, qualifications and tests of knowledge meet the required standards for education and training and professional standards.
(3) Prior to considering re-approval of courses under rule 6(1) above, the regulator will:
Propose a date for the inspection
allocate inspectors and a member of the regulator’s staff to the inspection.
undergo a conflict of interest procedure in accordance with rule 11 of The Social Work England (Investigators, Case Examiners, Adjudicators and Inspectors) Rules 2019;
(4) No later than 40 working days before the inspection scheduled under rule 6(3) above, the relevant institution must
(a) confirm whether they seek re-approval under rule 6(3) above;
(b) confirm whether they seek approval of a significant change to an approved course;
(c) provide, in the form required by the regulator, information to show how they meet the criteria for approval set out at rule 3(2)(a)-(c) above and any other information requested by the regulator as being relevant to the inspection;
(d) where seeking re-approval to deliver an AMHP course, provide the regulator with information setting out how they meet the criteria set out in rule3(2)(d) above;
(e)where seeking re-approval to deliver a BIA course, provide the regulator with information setting out how they meet the criteria set out in rule 3(2)(e) above
(5) On receipt of this information the regulator will:
(a) determine whether the information provided is sufficient to proceed to inspection;
(b) notify the relevant institution seeking re-approval if any further information is required prior to an inspection being undertaken, and request this further information from the relevant institution.
(c) confirm the date of the inspection with the relevant institution seeking re-approval, or, where further information is required under rule 6(5)(b), the regulator may in its discretion, rearrange the inspection and notify the relevant institution of the revised date.
(6) On receipt of the information provided under rule 6(4)(c) and any further information provided in response to requests under rule 6(5)(b), and no less than 40 working days before the date of the inspection, the regulator will send the information to the inspectors for review.
(7) Following the inspection, the member of the regulator’s staff appointed under rule 6(3)(b) will write a draft inspection report on behalf of the inspectors which will be:
(a) agreed by the inspectors within 30 working days of the date of the inspection; and
(b) sent to the relevant institution concerned within 10 working days of that agreement.
(8) Following receipt of the draft inspection report, the relevant institution may, within 20 working days:
(a) propose factual corrections to the draft inspection report, and/or
(b) provide observations on the draft inspection report.
(9) Where no factual corrections or observations are provided by the relevant institution, the report will be treated as the final inspection report.
(10) Where the relevant institution proposes factual corrections and/or provides observations, the regulator will provide such suggested factual corrections and/or observations to the inspectors who will consider whether to make any amendments to the report
(11) Where material amendments are made to the report under rule 6(10), the final report will be sent to the relevant institution within 10 working days, and the relevant institution may provide any observations on the final inspection report for consideration by the regulator within 10 working days of receipt of the report.
(12) The final inspection report, and any observations provided by the relevant institution at rule 6(8)(b) or rule 6(10) above, will be considered by the regulator, and:
(a) if the relevant institution concerned satisfies the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable the person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards set out in rule 3(2)(b) above, the relevant institution will be granted approval without conditions and the course will be retained in the regulator’s list of approved courses in accordance with rule 16(3) below; or
(b) if the relevant institution concerned satisfies the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable the person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards set out in rule 3(2)(b) above with some exceptions in specific areas, the relevant institution concerned will be granted approval with conditions in accordance with rules 12 and 13 below and the course will be retained in the regulator’s list of approved courses in accordance with rule 16(3) below; or
(c) approval will be withdrawn from the relevant institution concerned in accordance with rule 14 below and the course will be removed from the regulator’s list of approved courses.
(13) the regulator will inform the relevant institution concerned of the outcome of the re-approval process and provide the final inspection report within 10 working days of the date of the decision by the regulator.
Purpose
Rule 6 is removed and replaced with 6(1)-(13)
Clarification of re-approval process (previously rule 7)
Working days used instead of calendar days for consistency.
Rule
7.(1) Relevant institutions seeking;
(a) re-approval to deliver a course of initial education and/or training, qualifications, tests of knowledge of English, BIA and AMHPs courses; or
(b) approval of a significant change to an approved course of initial education and/or training, qualifications, tests of knowledge of English, BIA and AMHPs courses. must provide, in the form required by the regulator, evidence of how they meet the criteria for approval set out at rule3(2).
(2) On receipt of the form the regulator will:
(a) select a date for the inspection;
(b) allocate inspectors and a member of the regulator’s staff to the inspection;
(c) undergo a conflict of interest procedure in accordance with rule 11 of The Social Work England (Investigators, Case Examiners, Adjudicators and Inspectors) Rules 2019;
(d)confirm the date of the inspection with the relevant institution seeking re-approval; and
(e) notify the relevant institution seeking approval if any further evidence is required prior to an inspection being undertaken, and request this further information from the relevant institution.
(3) Relevant institutions seeking re-approval to deliver a course of initial education and training, qualifications and tests of knowledge of English, must in preparation for the inspection provide the regulator with information in the required form as to how they meet the criteria set out inrule3(2)(a)-(c) above and any other information requested by the regulator as being relevant to the inspection no less than 40 working days before the date of the inspection.
(4) Relevant institutions seeking re-approval to deliver an AMHP course must additionally in preparation for the inspection provide the regulator with information setting out how they meet the criteria set out in rule3(2)(d) above no less than 40 working days before the date of the inspection.
(5) Relevant institutions seeking re-approval to deliver a BIA course must additionally in preparation for the inspection provide the regulator with information setting out how they meet the criteria set out in rule 3(2)(e) above no less than 40 working days before the date of the inspection.
(6) On receipt of the information provided under rule7(1) the regulator will send the information to the inspectors for review.
(7) On receipt of any information requested under rule7(2)(e), the regulator will:
(a) confirm the date of the inspection, or
(b) rearrange the inspection and notify the relevant institution of the revised date.
(8) Following the inspection, the member of the regulator’s staff appointed under rule 7(2)(b)will write a draft inspection report on behalf of the inspectors which will be:
(a) agreed by the inspectors within 42 calendar days of the date of the inspection; and
(b) sent to the relevant institution concerned within 10 working days of that agreement.
(9) The relevant institution concerned may provide factual corrections to the draft inspection report to the regulator within 28 calendar days, and these may result in the draft inspection report being amended.
(10) The final report will be sent to the relevant institution within 10 working days of any amendments, and the relevant institution may provide any observations on the final inspection report for consideration by the regulator, and:
(a) any such observations must be provided to the regulator within 10 working days.
(11) The final inspection report, and any observations provided by the relevant institution under rule7(10) above, will be considered by the regulator and:
(a) if the relevant institution concerned satisfies the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable the person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards set out in rule 3(2)(b) above, the relevant institution will be granted approval without conditions and the course will be added to the regulator’s list of approved courses in accordance with rule 16(3) below; or
(b) if the relevant institution concerned satisfies the regulator that the course meets the criteria for approval and will enable the person who successfully completes it to meet the professional standards set out in rule 3(2)(b) above with some exceptions in specific areas, the relevant institution concerned will be granted approval with conditions in accordance with rules 12 and 13 below and the course will be added to the regulator’s list of approved courses in accordance with rule 16(3) below; or
(c) approval will be withdrawn from the relevant institution concerned in accordance with rule 14 below and the course will be removed from the regulator’s list of approved courses.
(12) the regulator will inform the relevant institution concerned of the outcome of the re-approval process and provide the final inspection report within 10 working days of the date of the decision.
Amendment
7. The regulator may, on granting re-approval under rule 6(12)(a) or rule 6 12(b) above, or at any time thereafter, notify the relevant institution concerned of the proposed interval before re-approval of the approved course.
Purpose
7(1)-(10) removed and replace with (7)
Detail of rules 7(1)-(10) now covered within rule 6(1)-(13)
Rule 7 now provides clarity about reapproval notification.
Rule
9(10) The regulator will make a decision about approval within 28 calendar days and will inform the relevant institution of this decision.
Amendment
9(10) The regulator will make a decision about approval within 20 working days and will inform the relevant institution of this decision.
Purpose
Working days used instead of calendar days for consistency.
Rule
9(12) The regulator will operate a process to act on concerns raised with the regulator from any other bodies or individuals about the quality of approved courses of initial education and training, qualifications, tests of knowledge of English, BIA and AMHPs courses provided by relevant institutions.
Amendment
9(12) The regulator will operate a process to act on concerns identified by the regulator, or raised with the regulator from any other bodies or individuals about the quality of approved courses of initial education and training, qualifications, tests of knowledge of English, BIA and AMHPs courses provided by relevant institutions.
Purpose
Rule 9(12) now includes detail about the regulator acting upon concerns identified by the regulator as well as any other bodies or individuals.