Decision to withdraw approval of education programme

As the largest multi-profession health regulator in the UK, our role is to protect the public. One of the ways we achieve this is through approval of education programmes that can lead to professionals joining our Register and being able to practice in the UK. Where we identify concerns relating to whether a programme meets our regulatory standards, we will investigate and work with the education provider to address these concerns. If the concerns are unable to be addressed, we will seek to withdraw approval of the programme. This may mean that those who are completing the programme will be unable to join the Register without transferring to an alternative HCPC approved programme.

The decision to withdraw approval follows concerns about the quality of the programme being raised with the HCPC by an employer and NHS England, and our subsequent investigation. The concerns that led us to withdrawing approval are:

• Collaboration between the education provider and the main practice education provider for the programme not being effective to support delivery of the programme.
• The effectiveness of the programme’s curriculum and assessments, practice-based learning, and integration of theory and practice in make sure that all individuals who complete the programme meet our standards.
• Management of the programme did not address issues found in an effective and timely manner.

Any decision relating to withdrawing approval from education programmes is not taken lightly. The process we undertake to remove a programme's approval is set out in our legislation and is focused on protection of the public. The education provider has had the opportunity to provide their view through each step of this process. Further details on our investigation can be found within the report from this investigation.

The withdrawal of approval applies from 10 September 2025 and to all learners who were in years 1-3 of the programme in the 2024-25 academic year. Those learners will no longer be able to join the HCPC Register if they continue to complete the programme.

We recognise that this decision is likely to have a significant impact on learners on the programme. The education provider has a legal and regulatory duty to provide support to learners who are affected. We have worked with the education provider to ensure alternative arrangements they are putting in place will allow learners to continue with their studies on an alternative programme, to achieve the standards required to become registered as a paramedic.

Those who completed the programme prior to us withdrawing approval will remain registered, or will still be entitled to join the HCPC Register as paramedics, subject to normal application requirements, as they completed their qualification prior to withdrawal of approval. In light of this decision, we are enhancing the support available to these registrants to ensure they feel fully confident in continuing to meet our regulatory requirements. This may include employer preceptorship activities, or support from their professional body. We are working with employers, the College of Paramedics (COP), and other stakeholder groups, to ensure that this support is accessible to all.

As always, concerns relating to an individual’s practise can be raised by anyone and we will asses and where appropriate investigate those concerns.