Reasonable adjustments for vet students

This section provides guidance to support veterinary schools, students, and staff in making reasonable adjustments for veterinary students or prospective students with disabilities, helping them meet the competence requirements for registration.

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• The statutory responsibilities of the RCVS
• The responsibility of vet schools 

The statutory responsibilities of the RCVS

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has a statutory responsibility under the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) to regulate the professional education of veterinary surgeons (under the Royal Charter, this includes vet nurses).

In order to safeguard the interests of the public and animals, the RCVS sets the standards for veterinary education and ensures only those who have completed a recognised (accredited) qualification, or have passed the Statutory Membership Exam, are eligible to practice in the UK.

The RCVS accreditation of veterinary degree programmes provides assurance that standards are being met and drives the quality improvement of veterinary education. We regulate all veterinary programmes up to graduation, with a key focus on ensuring that vet schools are meeting the needs of their students.

As the professional regulator, we exist to set, uphold and advance veterinary standards, in order to enhance society through improved animal health and welfare. We believe this can best be achieved when the profession reflects our diverse society. Therefore, it should be recognised that veterinary surgeons with a disability are beneficial to the profession, bring important experience and insights, and are to be valued for their contribution to animal health and welfare.

The responsibility of vet schools 

It is the responsibility of vet schools to put in place reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities.

The RCVS has produced this guidance to assist vet schools through the description of high-level principles to support consistent decision making and clarify how reasonable adjustments align with competence standards. This guidance also provides examples of different types of reasonable adjustments that could be appropriate in different cases and offered to students.

This guidance is not and does not purport to be legal advice. Vet schools should seek their own legal advice about any specific questions related to reasonable adjustments, as every case will depend on its own particular circumstances.

This guidance is also aimed at students and those applying to be students. It aims to clarify how, and to what extent, support can be put in place for students with disabilities to meet the competence requirements for registration and a licence to practice in the UK as a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS).

This guidance should be considered in accordance with:

• The Equality Act 2010
• The RCVS standards for the accreditation of veterinary degree programmes
•  The RCVS Day One Competences

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Health and Disability in veterinary study and practice 

Please note: this general guidance does not purport to be legal advice and is not to be relied upon as legal advice. Students and education providers should take their own advice in the particular circumstances and as required.                                     

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