1. Purpose
This policy provides a robust, transparent, and supportive framework for monitoring each learner’s academic integrity, professional conduct, attendance, wellbeing, and ongoing suitability for paramedic practice, in line with:
- HCPC Standards of Education & Training (SETs)
- HCPC Guidance on Conduct & Ethics for Students
- Outreach Rescue policies: C1 (Academic & Educational Misconduct), C6 (Fitness for Practice), C8 (Equality & Diversity), and C18 (Managing Concerns for Service-User Safety)
2. Scope
This policy applies to all students enrolled on Outreach Rescue Paramedic programmes, from admission to award or withdrawal.
3. Principles
- Professionalism first – learners must demonstrate behaviours, attendance and engagement expected of a registrant-level paramedic.
- Early support – concerns are identified promptly and addressed through constructive action plans.
- Proportionality & transparency – investigations and outcomes match the seriousness of the concern and are clearly communicated.
- Equity & inclusion – monitoring is applied consistently, recognising individual circumstances and reasonable adjustments.
4. Monitoring Domains & Standards
| Domain | Standard | Key Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Academic conduct | Zero tolerance of plagiarism, cheating or collusion (C1) | Turnitin similarity ≤ 15% prompts review; correct Harvard referencing; honest data presentation |
| Professional conduct & character | Behaviour consistent with HCPC expectations | Practice Educator reports; Personal Tutor records; incident forms |
| Attendance & engagement | Compliance with Workload & Attendance thresholds | PAD hours; QR sign-in; iLearn analytics |
| Wellbeing & fitness for study/practice | Health & wellbeing conducive to safe practice | Annual health declaration; occupational-health reports; wellbeing referrals |
4.1 Attendance Requirements
Attendance expectations are aligned across the Programme Specification, Student Handbook and Module Guides. The following elements are compulsory. These requirements implement HCPC SET 4.11 by identifying mandatory components, the rationale for 100% or high attendance, and associated monitoring and escalation processes.
| Element | Requirement | Rationale | Recording / Oversight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice-based learning | 100% of rostered hours – 1,500h across the programme (minimum 500h per stage/year) | Essential clinical exposure to meet HCPC Standards of Proficiency; clinical experience cannot be replaced | Practice Assessment Document (PAD): learner completes a shift log at end of duty; Practice Educator signs each entry; Personal Tutor totals hours fortnightly |
| Campus clinical-skills blocks & high-fidelity simulation | 100% attendance | Practical competence cannot be assured through asynchronous study | Paper register with QR back-up; verified daily by Skills Lead |
| Formative OSCE preparation & pharmacology-calculation workshops | 100% attendance | Gateway activities underpin summative assessment | QR sign-in; absence list sent to Module Leader within 24 hours |
| Lectures, webinars, tutorials | ≥ 90% attendance | Maintains cohort interaction while respecting adult-learning flexibility | iLearn analytics plus paper sign-in (for on-campus sessions); absence reported for follow-up |
Shift pattern: normally 12-hour days (07:00–19:30), including nights and weekends, to match ambulance operations and achieve the full patient-case mix.
Make-up clause: Attendance below the expected threshold may be made up within the timeframe of the relevant module, through additional clinical hours, skills-lab attendance, or equivalent learning activities, as agreed with the Module Leader and Personal Tutor.
4.2 Monitoring & Escalation
- Early warning trigger: attendance < 95% for any compulsory element, or two consecutive missed placement shifts.
- Action within 5 working days: Personal Tutor review meeting; individual support plan (e.g., extra placement hours, skills-lab session, wellbeing referral).
- Persistent breach: ≥ 10% overall shortfall, chronic lateness or falsified record → Professional Behaviour Review (Admissions & Progress Lead). Outcomes may include remedial plan, written warning, or repeat of module/placement.
- Serious breach: Referral to Fitness for Practice Committee; possible suspension or termination.
5. Procedures
- Academic Misconduct: Suspicion logged to Course Leader; investigated under Policy C1.
- Professional Conduct Issues: Documented by staff/Practice Educator; managed under Policy C6; immediate risks escalated via C18.
- Attendance Monitoring: Personal Tutors and Admissions Team track compliance; escalations follow Section 4.2.
- Student Wellbeing: Self- or tutor-referral to Student Wellbeing Team (confidential). Safeguarding concerns → Designated Safeguarding Lead (C10). Reasonable adjustments agreed with Occupational Health and recorded in a Learning Support Plan.
- Equality & Diversity: Annual analysis of outcome/engagement data identifies disparities; staff trained in inclusive practice (C8, F6).
- Admissions & Ongoing Suitability: Enhanced DBS and health screening at entry (B3, C6). Annual declarations of good character & health; new disclosures reviewed by Admissions & Progress Lead.
6. Roles & Responsibilities
| Role | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Students | Maintain required attendance; uphold academic & professional standards; engage with support plans |
| Personal Tutors | Monitor dashboards; hold progress meetings; initiate early support |
| Practice Educators | Verify placement hours; report concerns in real time |
| Admissions Team | Oversee attendance analytics; chair Professional Behaviour Reviews |
| Programme Lead | Ensure policy compliance; report serious breaches to senior management and (where required) HCPC |
7. Data Management & Retention
Attendance and conduct records are retained for six years under GDPR and the Outreach Rescue Data-Protection Policy. PAD originals are stored securely; scanned copies are held in the learner record. Data are used only for safeguarding, quality enhancement and statutory reporting.
8. Communication
- Policy published on the Outreach Rescue intranet
- Summaries embedded in the Programme Specification, Student Handbook and Module Guides
- Key points highlighted at induction and before each placement allocation
- Automated iLearn alerts trigger when engagement falls below thresholds
9. Review
This policy is reviewed annually by the Programme Team in consultation with learner representatives and updated to reflect changes in HCPC/College of Paramedics standards or Outreach Rescue regulations.