If a concern, they should refer to an Occupational Physician. AN OP is trained in the assessment of  functional impacts of disability/ disease on work (in this case teaching) &advise on adjustments that can help. The College can then decide on feasibility.

If BCG is too small to have their own OH Adviser, I suggest they contact the OH Service for their  nearest full size university, or local NHS Trust OH Service. Both likely to be skilled up & happy to help (For a fee!) An OP would arrange for reports from or assessment by a specialist in the particular disease area (e.g. a psychiatrist) if more information was needed on diagnosis or prognosis, to use in making a properly informed functional assessment.

 

TTCs really ought to have arrangements in place, in advance of discovering a problem

 

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Phil B. Davis
Sent: 17 February 2005 13:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Disclosures & Fitness to Teach

Hi All

 

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share the systems they use in instances where students disclose a disability after they have registered on a course, where the disability might have implications for a particular profession. Here at BGC we run Teacher Training courses, but this could be relevant to other professional studies e.g. medical/nursing students.

 

We are considering making referrals to an Occupational Therapist (in the same way that referrals are currently being made during the admissions process to establish “Fitness to Teach”) where it appears there may be cause for professional concern (mental health being one area we’ve identified where Child Protection issues might arise). I’d be interested to hear what criteria other institutions might use for such referrals – our current mechanism is via the College’s Registry and they are not 100% comfortable with the arrangement.

 

It is conceivable that some students may not realistically be able to follow their chosen career because of their disability and we’d like to check around the sector to find out what systems are in place elsewhere, and whether there are any other associated problems we should be considering.

 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

Phil Davis

Head of Student Support

Bishop Grosseteste College

Newport

Lincoln

LN1 3DY

 

Tel: (01522) 527347

 

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