Update from SPA

1. Update from SPAMSC and DSC Admissions Deans Meeting– 20 April 2010Dan Shaffer, Senior Project Officer

2. Update from SPA • SPA factsheet • Managing numbers • Paperless processing • Vocational qualifications • Contextual data • Unleashing Aspiration: fair access to the professions • Applicant Experience Strategy

3. Update from SPA • Changes to UCAS Apply 2011 • application fee rises to £21 • Removal of UCAS application number and note of previous application • Details of any applicant-nominated third party access • references for independent applicants can be sent direct from referee • Management lists in web-link to show invitation decisions and replies • Enhancement of the criminal convictions question

4. Update from SPA • Enhancement of the criminal convictions question • includes a wider range of more serious offences • violence, sexual offences, drugs, firearms, arson and terrorism • information at application level for relevant unspent criminal offences • information at course level if exempt from Rehabilitation of Offenders Act • spent convictions need not be disclosed to UCAS at application level, but may be required at course level • Guidance notes are provided for both questions • In particular, courses where a criminal record might ultimately question fitness to practice will be accompanied by notes which acquaint the applicant with the advice that all convictions or other punishments should be disclosed.

5. Update from SPA • Enhancement of the criminal convictions question • UCAS Course Search will include an indicator for courses requiring disclosure of spent convictions • Institutions can indicate on Web-link from 31 March 2010. • Deadline for completion is 31 May 2010

6. Update from SPA • ISA • Timetable • From 26 Jul 2010 ISA checks MAY be made • From 1 November 2010 checks MUST be made • Guidance • http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/PDF/VBS_guidance_ed1_2010.pdf • Specific guidance for higher education still awaited

7. Update from SPA • ISA • England, Wales, Northern Ireland • ISA registration does not replace CRB – it will still be necessary to obtain CRB enhanced disclosure. • HEIs will register interest in an individual through the on-line system. • Are you and placement providers in agreement on procedures – and timetable? • Remember your Duty to Refer • Scotland-no changes to Disclosure Scotland requirements as yet.

8. Update from SPA • MSC Guiding principles for admission of medical students • SPA involved in review of September 2009 draft • comments broadly incorporated into March version – thank you • applicants, not candidates • admissions tests • criminal conviction checks • equality duty • Highly positive step • Will need to consider review structure and timeline • SPA happy to contribute

9. Update from SPA • MSC Guiding principles for admission of medical students • General thoughts • Who is the intended audience? How will this reach them? • Who else may look at it? How might it be interpreted by them? • What are the implications for / requirements on individual medical Schools? • Review against and cited in existing policy and practice? • Inferred adherence? • Grounds for appeal?

10. Thank youEmail enquiries@spa.ac.uk, call 01242 544891www.spa.ac.uk