What if I cannot attend scheduled teaching or practice sessions?

It is your responsibility to ensure you notify those detailed below if you are unable to attend the University or practice for any reason. This is a mandatory requirement if you are enrolled on a programme leading to professional registration. You are responsible for meeting learning outcomes for missed sessions. Lesson lecture notes are usually available on the VLE; alternatively you should discuss the missed session(s) with the module leader.

When a full-time learner advises the Department of Health Sciences of absence due to illness, or other reason, then the absence will be recorded for the full period – which means including private study time, not just attendance at timetabled taught sessions or practice. The Department of Health Sciences has a statutory requirement to record accumulated or certificated absence. You should note that failure to attend or comply with the requirements to notify the Department of your absence will be monitored and addressed as appropriate. If you are on an employer-led route then reports of attendance at University will be forwarded to your employer at regular intervals. 

Sick leave

The Student Services team and practice, where applicable, should be informed of all sickness. For sickness lasting up to seven days, a self-certification form should be sent to the Department’s Student Services: if you are on an apprenticeship route you should also send the form to your employer. From the eighth day of illness, a fit note is required and should be sent to Student Services with a copy to your employer. 

Please record any absence within your EOAR (MYEPAD). On return to practice, it is important that Student Services and (if on an apprenticeship route) your employer are informed immediately. If the absence occurs in University time, on return to study, Student Services should be notified. 

For further information, including self-certification forms, visit the Self-certification of Illness website. 

Reporting absence from practice

You should notify your employer in the usual way if you are absent. You will need to provide your employer a doctor’s 'fit note' (sometimes referred to as a 'sick note') if you have been unwell for more than 7 days in a row and have taken sick leave. This includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays. A copy of the 'fit note' should be sent to the Department’s Student Services team. You should notify your employer as soon as you are fit to return to duty, even if you are not rostered to attend on that day. You should also inform Student Services and your personal supervisor that you are fit to return. 

Your attendance is monitored by Student Services. In monitoring attendance and absence, the Department wishes to ensure that, during periods of difficulty, learners access the support they need. 

Special leave, compassionate leave and carer's leave

If you need special, compassionate or carer’s leave, you should request approval for absence from your personal supervisor and employer. If you require additional or more protracted leave for the circumstances, you should contact your programme leader.

Illness & assessment

If your illness interferes with your studies, please see the Exceptional Circumstances section of the Handbook.

Adverse weather

On occasions severe weather conditions may have an impact on your practice and theory attendance. There may be weather warnings issued by the National Severe Weather Warning Service. In these circumstances all students are advised to check the University adverse weather website for advice on University closures and the local radio and television for up to date travel information.

Although University sites may be closed during adverse weather conditions, your placement is unlikely to be closed. However, please exercise extreme caution when travelling and only travel if you feel it is safe to do so. Should you be unable to travel then please notify your practice assessor/supervisor and make alternative arrangements. This might involve, for example, rearranging your shift for an alternative time when you are able to travel.

You are advised to stay in close contact with your Academic Assessor and Practice Assessor if you need to re-organise progress reviews, discuss making up hours or for any further advice or support.