Support available

Education

To regain HCPC registration and to be eligible to practice as a podiatrist in the UK, unregistered professionals need to complete a period of updating their skills and knowledge. Most returnees prefer to include a period of practice under supervision from a fully qualified mentor, alongside some formal and informal study. How much time is required for updating depends on how long it has been since they last worked as a podiatrist.

HCPC recommends these minimum requirements to update your skills:

• 0-2 years out of your profession – no requirements
• 2-5 years out of your profession – 30 days of updating your skills and knowledge
• 5 years or over out of your profession – 60 days of updating your skills and knowledge

Once the hours are complete, the returnee can make a new readmission application to the HCPC providing evidence of the work they have completed and demonstrating full competency within their scope of practice. With HCPC registration in place, the returnee is free to take a job as a podiatrist in the NHS or independent practice.

More information about HCPC requirements is available on the HCPC website

University courses

The universities below offer a free return to practice course for AHPs, lasting one year part-time:

• Coventry University - Allied Health Professionals Return to Practice
• Birmingham City University - Return to Practice: Allied Health Professionals.

HEE toolkits

Health Education England (HEE) has two toolkits to support return to work:

• Communications toolkit, including:
   
  • Case studies
  • Email footers
  • Posters, postcards and flyers
  • Roller banner stand
  • Social media templates
  • Videos.
• Employers toolkit, including:
  
  
  • Financial process 
  • Return to Practice HCPC quick guide 
  • Return to Practice leaflet 
  • Evaluation of the Allied Health Professionals and Health Care Scientists Return to Practice Programme (2019).

Financial considerations

• Maternity, sickness, holiday leave
• Carer allowance
• Pension
• Retire and return:
  
  
  • Find out more about Retire and return
  • Download factsheet NHS Pensions - Returning to the NHS after retirement
  • HEE has £800 available to you to support your out-of-pocket expenses. If you decide to undertake supervised practice as part of your return, then eligible organisations can claim £500 for supporting you too
  • Reduced RCPod membership fees - Download our leaflet on Retired membership.

Scotland

If you are returning to work in Scotland, NHS Scotland has provided resources on returning to practice, and supervised return to practice requirements. Find out more here.