Reasonable adjustments for student veterinary nurses

The statutory responsibilities of the RCVS

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has a statutory responsibility under the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) for regulating the professional education of veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons.

In order to safeguard the interests of the public and animals, the RCVS sets the standards for veterinary nurse education and training. Only individuals who have completed a recognised (accredited) qualification or have passed the RCVS VN Pre-registration Examination are eligible to apply to have their name entered onto the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses, allowing them to practise as veterinary nurses in the UK.

RCVS accreditation of veterinary nursing programmes provides assurance that standards are being met and drives the quality improvement of veterinary nursing education and training. We regulate all veterinary nursing programmes to the point of completion (certification). One aspect of this is to ensure that providers are meeting the needs of their students.

As the professional regulator, we exist to set, uphold and advance veterinary standards, in order to enhance society through improved animal health and welfare. We believe this can best be achieved when the veterinary professions are reflective of our diverse society and, consequently, it should be recognised that veterinary nurses with a disability are beneficial to the professions, bring important experience and insights, and are to be valued for their contribution to animal health and welfare.

The responsibility of providers

It is the responsibility of providers to put in place reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities. The RCVS has produced this guidance to support providers through the description of high-level principles to assist consistent decision making and clarify how reasonable adjustments fit in with competence standards. This guidance also provides examples of different types of reasonable adjustments that could be appropriate in different cases and offered to students.

This guidance is not and does not purport to be legal advice. Providers should take their own legal advice about any specific questions arising from reasonable adjustments, as every case will depend on its own particular circumstances.

This guidance is also aimed at students and those applying to become students, with the aim of clarifying how, and to what extent, support can be put in place for students with disabilities to meet the competence requirements for registration and a licence to practise in the UK as an associate Member of the RCVS.

This guidance should be considered in accordance with:

• Guidance on the Equality Act 2010
• Disability Discrimination Act for Northern Ireland 1995
• Special Education Needs and Disability (NI) order 2005
• The RCVS Standards Framework for Veterinary Nurse Education and Training
• The RCVS Day One Competences for Veterinary Nurses
• The RCVS Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses – Small animal
• The RCVS Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses - Equine
• The RCVS Professional Behaviours and Attributes for Veterinary Nurses

Please note: this general guidance does not purport to be legal advice and is not to be relied upon as legal advice. Students and education providers should take their own advice in the particular circumstances and as required.