Enhancing Guidance for Disabled People Wanting to Become Health and Social Care Professionals Report

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) commissioned this research from the project team in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and the Welfare and Disabilities Team at Coventry University. The report will inform HCPC’s revision of guidance available to disabled people wanting to become health or social care professionals. The primary aim of the project was to produce a comprehensive report, on suggested changes to the existing HCPC guidance. In order to meet this aim, the team commenced the research by conducting a critical appraisal of the existing guidance with a small group of students and recent graduates. It held a Stakeholder Day where the perspectives of Admissions Tutors, academic staff, Practice Educators and Disabled Students’ Support Services were gained on what helps and enables, and what could improve the chances of, disabled students becoming health or social care professionals. The team conducted interviews with students and recent graduates with a wide range of disabilities. The aim of these interviews was to gain first hand insights into the usefulness of the existing guidance, as well as the students’ experiences of pre-admission to their health and social care programmes, the admissions process, studying on the programme, placement experiences and the transition to employment.