Guidance about assessment and reasonable adjustment
Guidance about assessment and reasonable adjustment
The Equality Act (2010) states clearly that education providers and environments must abide by the duty to make reasonable adjustments to the way a 'competence standard' is assessed for disabled people.
The Equality Act (2010) defines a ‘competence standard’ as:
"An academic, medical, or other standard applied for the purpose of determining whether or not a person has a particular level of competence or ability."
Reasonable adjustments cannot be made to a competence standard. However, adjustments can be made in order to ensure equity for the student in working towards meeting the standard.
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A 'competence standard' may also be referred to as a learning outcome, learning standard, proficiency or similar. |
What do regulatory bodies say about competence standards?
Both the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) recognise that there is often more than one way in which competence standards or learning outcomes can be met, therefore this will include considering reasonable adjustments that would make it possible for the student with a disability to meet these standards safely.
The HCPC explains further that they do not set a list of approved ways of meeting their standards because they are not concerned with the way that people meet the standards, only that they meet them safely.
However both NMC and HCPC agree that students with a disability require to reach the same educational standards and requirements as peers without disability.
Professional body guidance
A number of professional bodies provide information about supporting disabled students in certain professions. When you are considering adjustments for assessment, your professional body may be able to give you information that is specific to your profession.
Guidance about assessment and reasonable adjustment