Thanks to those who have sent messages of support for the Newsletter. But the fact is, some people contibute items and news - others don't. Please keep the Secretary in touch with the issues which interest you. Someone else might want to know - or have a different view to share.
This Newsletter aims to bring together a summary of events, papers, consultations, requests etc brought to the attention of the UKIPG Secretary over recent weeks, as suggested at the September 2011 Main Group Meeting. The first edition was published in December 2011; this contained a significant amount of background to the 'news' which will not be repeated in this or future Newsletters. The Main Group Meeting on 12th December endorsed the format and agreed that it sould be in the public domain on the web-site.
The Joint UKIPG / University of Leeds PEN Conference 'Privacy and Confidentially: Exploring the ethical issues arising for the professions' takes place at CII on 3rd May. Those attending will hear leading speakers debate and present this topic in plenary sessions - and participate in a selection of relevant workshops! The majority of the sessions will be recorded and will subsequently be available via this web-site and the next Newsletter. Please see Final Programme to see which items might be of interest.
The Inter Professional CPD Forum is a Forum for a wider group of people interested in CPD, some from UKIPG members, some from non-member professional bodies, some from education and a small number from relevant suppliers of systems and services. It meets about three times a year, for a half-day seminar. It is managed as part of the UKIPG but has its own administrator (Chris Senior). The next Forum meeting is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday 16th May at the Institute of Physics. The Programme for this event is now available. The Forum is available to all full UKIPG members, and all Forum members. However, as a networking lunch is provided, as well as other refreshments, please let the Forum Administrator know if you wish to attend. The GDC staged a CPD Conference at RIBA on 17th April.
If you are not getting CPD specific e-mails and are interested in the topic, please let the UKIPG Secretary know and he will arrange for you to be added to the list.
Modernising Directive 2005/36/EC. The December issue of the UKIPG Newsletter summarised the 2010 evaluation work and the 2011 consultations on the Modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive, up to and including the legislative proposal itself which was published on 19th December. Subsequent Newsletters have reported the Commission meetings in London and Brussels and published the presentation slides from these meetings.
Proposed Directive - General Questions for Clarification. The UKIPG International and European Forum (IEF) raised a number of points in need of clarification. These points were put into a Letter and Annexes, subsequently sent to both the European Commission (Mr Tiedje) and the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) of the Parliament. A Commission Response has been received and already circulated, together with a paper which tabulated the responses against individual questions for ease of reference. Subsequently, the Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection replied by e-mail, drawing attention to the Parliament's Public Hearing on 25th April 2012, and stating that he wished to have the hearing first and then a period of time for the Rapporteurs to reflect on the proceedings before getting into more detail. He invited the UKIPG Secretary to keep in touch via his office. [See later section on European Parliament]
The UKIPG thanks member bodies which have shared position papers already (GMC, EngC) and requests that others do so. Through the auspices of GMC we have the views of the European Medical Regulators, and through CEPLIS the views of the European Psychologists' Association and of one of the two European Engineering bodies, the ECEC. Since the previous Newsletter, we have received an additional position from RIBA.
Other European Legislation. Alongside the modernisation of Directive 2005/36EC on which everyone's attention is focused, there are other ongoing revisions, eg: of
The European Parliament. The Parliament has begun to prepare for the RPQ Directive legislative process, with work primarily being led by the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO), currently chaired by UK MEP Malcolm Harbour. Preliminary reports were prepared by Emma McClarkin MEP, but Bernadette Vergnaud MEP (FR) has been appointed Rapporteur. The Final Report to the Committee was published on 26th October, and was subsequently approved as a non-binding resolution. We now have the European Parliament's Timetable for processing this legislation, updated to 6th March. There was a Public Hearing entitled 'Growth and Mobility: Modernising the professional qualifications directive' on 25th April 2012. As the UKIPG Secretary was already in Brussels for a meeting of the CEPLIS Board, he arranged to attend the hearing. The Agenda for the hearing and the UKIPG Secretary's Report on the proceedings are available, as well as a link to the televised recording. In closing the session, the Rapporteur (Bernadette Vergnaud MEP) said that the Committee would now take some time out to consider the issues raised at the hearing. The UKIPG Secretary has some hard copies of a number of the presentation slides, but not electronic versions; ask by e-mail and a copy will be sent to you if available.
Other Committees of Parliament are involved besides IMCO, notably EMPL (Employment and Social Affairs) and ENVI (Environment, Public Health and Food Safety), but at present there is no mention of the Education and Culture Committee being involved, despite the related DG having initiated the GHK Consulting Report.
Council of Ministers. Twelve European Prime Ministers (including David Cameron) have sent a joint letter to Messrs. van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and Barroso, President of the European Commission, in order to propose a "Plan for Growth in Europe". Among other things, this seeks to reduce considerably the number of regulated professions, and to subject the recognition processes to rigorous mutual evaluation. We hear that the Council has touched on some 'political' aspects of the Legislative Proposal, but that the more technical aspects of interest to professional regulators will await a change of Presidency in June 2012. The UK National Coordinator has provided some information on the current HMG position on some of the issues.
The European Economic and Social Committee. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body that gives representatives of Europe's socio-occupational interest groups, and others, a formal platform to express their points of views on EU issues. The EESC has recently produced a formal Opinion on the legislative proposal, the essence of which was presented to the Parliament's Public Hearing on 25th April by its Rapporteur, Arno Wetzler.
European Insurance Regulation. See information provided by CII later in this Newsletter in CII 'Thinkpieces' Nos 74 and 75, on European Insurance Regulation.
De-Regulation Consultation on FE Teachers Registration and CPD. In 2007, the Government introduced regulation into FE teaching, effectively requiring a form of 'qualified techer status' in the FE sector, and CPD requirements for retention on the register. A new professional registration body was established (Institute for Learning); like all such bodies, it required a registration and retention fee. This unsurprising requirement has since caused those involved to ask the Minister for a change in the system. John Hayes, the relevant Minister, instituted a review by David Sherlock, who is perhaps best known as the former Chief Inspector of the Adult Learning Inspectorate, before it was abolished in 1977. The review has now produced an interim report which recommended the revocation of the 2007 Regulations, and for them to be replaced by largely discretionary advice to employers on appropriate qualifications for staff and for continuous professional development. Before going any further, BIS launched a Formal Consultation on 10th April, with a closing date of 4th June 2012. As always, these consultations are of direct relevance to those professionals involved in teaching in the FE Sector, and the outcome may affect professional regulators' views on recognition of certain aspects of FE provision. However, as with other sectorally-based initiatives, they are also in some way indicative of overall government attitudes to regulation and the professions - joined up government or not! You may wish to consider responding.
The FE and Skills Sector Reform Plan. In December 2011, BIS published a response to its earlier Consultations in 'New Challenges, New Chances: Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan'. One of the ten key points was the introduction of a National Careers Service. on 5th April, BIS published its next implementation document under this reform plan entitled 'The National Careers Service: Right Advice at the Right Time'. This said that the National Careers Service would have a website to help people find out what jobs were growing and where the opportunities were, what skills and qualifications people needed and how to get them, a helpline and webchat service, so young people and adults could discuss their options at a time and place which suited them, a walk in service, directing people to the best source of help and advice whatever their needs, and for adults aged 19 and over (or 18 and over if seeking work) face to face support from an adviser. The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) is key to many things, not least the decision on which awards in the QCF are recognised for public funding. This list of 'Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) qualifications confirmed for public funding' was updated on 13th April 2012. The 'Streamlined Funding System for Adult Skills' was mentioned last month. There is much talk of simplification. It is worth checking to see whether necessary additional support for the costs incurred in teaching in specialist subject areas has not been lost in the simplification process.
HE Reform - Students at the Heart of the System. The BIS HE White Paper 'Students at the heart of the system' of June 2011 remains the basis for HE policy, although it has since been supplemented by separate consultations on specific issues. Last month's Newsletter derw attention to an independent review relating to Business - University Collaboration. The full Report by Sir Tim Wilson is available as well as the Wilson Review web-site. This topic will be addressed at the next QAA / UKIPG PSRB Forum (qv). Probably the best overview of the Government's perception of progress on HE reform is David Willets' Speech to the HEFCE Annual Conference on 18th April. This ranges over many topics, including funding and teaching, information and data collection, 'student power', post-graduate support, OFFA and access to HE, 'enterprising universities' and international opportunities.
The White Paper envisaged significant changes to the role of HEFCE, converting it from primarily being a student funding body to being an overarching regulator for HE and a funder for 'activity of providers'. Part of this responsibility is supporting providers of where tuition fees cannot cover costs or where it is in the public interest to support provision that is vulnerable. This applies to a range of professionally accredited courses. There is currently a consultation entitled 'Student number controls and teaching funding: consultation on arrangements for 2013-14 and beyond'', with a response deadline of 25th May 2012. It is best not to assume that the 'expensive provision' required by your professional discipline will be included! Worth a check and response! The February Newsletter noted the launch of the Interim Regulatory Partnership Group. The Minutes of the Third (March 2012) IRPG meeting are now available.
Awarding Organisations (AO) and OFQUAL. With 'Risk-Based Regulation: A Consultation for Awarding Organisations' having closed for responses on 23rd April 2012, there are no current Qfqual consultations. However, there is the intended Reform of A-levels in the offing, with the intention of giving a greater role to universities and 'learned bodies'. See correspondence from Secretary of State for Education and Chief Regulator of OFQUAL.
Quality Assurance of HE. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has been heavily involved in the HE developments. In cooperation with UKIPG, the QAA promotes Forums for Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies (PRSB). QAA has a 'Partners' area on its web-site; Reports and Presentations from PSRB Forums can be accessed from the Partners-PSRB Section. The next PSRB Forum has been scheduled for the afternoon of 23rd May, with the theme being centred on the Wilson Review and Employer-based Training and its implications for PSRBs . QAA kindly administers the Forum and takes bookings for the meetings. Please use the QAA Booking Form to reserve a place.
UUK Draft Concordat on Research Integrity. PSRBs have been invited to comment on UUK's Draft Concordat on Research Integrity. You are reminded that the mid-May deadline is fast approaching.
Professional Regulation. Professional Regulation is the raison d'etre of a professional or statutory regulatory body. A key feature of any profession is that its members are registered by a competent authority for the area of work (and there may be more than one). That regulatory process is based on criteria for initial admission to the register and for ongoing compliance with the conditions for fitness for continuing registration and for practise. To support this process, there are also arrangements for investigating an allegation that a registrant is not currently compliant, and for taking disciplinary action if required. Recently, two related issues have come to the fore:
It is also recognised that those registrants / members who were lax about compliance in one context may introduce risks under other legislation, eg the Anti-Money Laundering Directive or the Bibery Act 2010.
HealthCare Regulation - Law Commission Consultation. The closing date of 15th May for responses to DH proposals regarding the constitution of GMC and GDC is fast approaching. Perhaps more importantly, the major review of healthcare regulation being undertaken by the Law Commissions for the various UK national jurisdictions is well in hand. Its consultation started on 1st March and is due for completion by 31st May 2012. Among other things, this Law Commissions' Consultation Paper makes provisional proposals which seek to simplify and modernise the law and establish a streamlined, transparent and responsive system of regulation of health care professionals, and also (in England only) the regulation of social workers. This enormous consultation document (257 pages) covers the full range of questions - and is likely to inform government policy on regulatory matters more generally. For that reason, it is likely to be of relevance to the wider professional regulation community and it would be a shame to let this opportunity pass by, for lack of some joined up thinking by the professions.
De-Regulation Consultation on FE Teachers Registration and CPD. If you skipped the 'Education and Training' section above, you might still be interested in this item, which is summarised here. In 2007, the Government introduced regulation into FE teaching, effectively requiring a form of 'qualified techer status' in the FE sector, and CPD requirements for retention on the register. A new professional registration body was established (Institute for Learning); like all such bodies, it required a registration and retention fee. This unsurprising requirement has since caused those involved to ask the Minister for a change in the system. John Hayes, the relevant Minister, instituted a review which produced an interim report which recommended the revocation of the 2007 Regulations in favour of discretionary advice to employers on appropriate qualifications for staff and for continuous professional development. BIS then launched a Formal Consultation with a closing date of 4th June 2012. Although primarily aimed at the FE sector, as with other sectorally-based initiatives, they are also in some way indicative of overall government attitudes to regulation and the professions - joined up government or not! You may wish to consider responding.
A Public Consultation on the Amendments to the Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) 2010 Regulations. Among the amendments proposed in this DH Consultation is one making 'Responsible Officers' are new duties relating to checking language competence of doctors, with six detailed questions - none of which refer at all to Article 53 of Directive 2005/36/EC, or the current proposals for modernising it, which would affect the outcome for EU and EEA nationals.
If you are not getting regulation-specific e-mails and are interested in the topic and / or wish to participate, please let the UKIPG Secretaryknow and he will add you to the list.
Whilst the 'professional regulation' function addresses the regulation and compliance with various codes of individual members of the professions, 'corporate governance' does the same for the professional and regulatory bodies themselves as 'bodies corporate'. The range of issues recently covered was noted in the Newsletter for December 2011. Alison Carr continues to lead the Corporate Governance Group. In accordance with the wishes of members of UKIPG, it will propose meeting dates as and when some issues of particular interest are identified and referred to the current Group Chairman or UKIPG Secretary. The UKIPG Newsletter for February 2012 suggested some possible topics of interest. Please let Alison know if you want a meeting, and what it should be about.
If you are not getting corporate governance specific e-mails and are interested in the topic, please let the UKIPG Secretary know and he will add you to the list.
Professions for Good. 'Professions for Good' is a public information campaign, made up of a collaboration of the representative bodies for the UK’s largest professions. As UKIPG Chairman, Jane Hern has represented UKIPG in the P4G Steering Group and remains involved on our behalf. On 2nd March 2012, P4G launched a 'Social Mobility Toolkit for the Professions'.
NFEC. NFEC is a national organisation for Heads of Departments of Engineering, Technology etc in the FE and Skills Sector. The UKIPG Secretary is an honorary life member of NFEC; a connection which works to the benefit of UKIPG, providing information, links, contacts etc on FE, Skills, Apprenticeship, UTCs, Wolf Report, HE in FE, and like matters. The NFEC Conference is on 31st May and 1st June in Coventry.
UK NARIC. UK NARIC is the nationally recognised centre for comparison of qualifications from across the world. It is also contracted by BIS to provide the National Contact Point for Directive 2005/36/EC and for EC-VET. UKIPG is represented in the NARIC Quality Standards Group. The most recent QSG meeting was on 20th March, when the main topic was the 'British Bachelor Degree Standard'. The UKIPG Secretary has been asked to assist NARIC in explaining the UK professions to some overseas visitors (not at UKIPG's expense).
Irish Inter Professional Association. The IIPA is the IPG for Ireland and also a member of CEPLIS. It is common for the UKIPG and IIPA Secretaries to assist each other, especially with English language drafts and on areas of different expertise. John Fish, the IIPA Secretary, has agreed to contribute his expertise in leading a workshop at the Ethics Conference on 3rd May.
Scottish Regulatory Forum. Much of what has been written and discussed relates to England only; or the England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has many legal, regulatory and educational systems which are quite different. Some UK-wide PSRBs deal with Scottish systems, but in other cases Scotland has a separate set of PSRBs. UKIPG's primary link with the SRF is via Michael Scott of the Actuarial Profession (based in Edinburgh) and the UKIPG Secretary meets with them about once a year.
Equally Professional Network. Equally Professional is a network of 20 professional bodies whose members have committed to promoting equality and diversity within their memberships and beyond, and to developing and sharing good practice in support of that committment. The Network was form in 2006 and is supported by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Chairman is Guy Daines of CILIP. Margaret Watson was the UKIPG's representative on the network and we are now seeking a replacement; it could be the person who already represents a UKIPG member body on the Network.
CEPLIS. CEPLIS is the Conseil European des Professions Liberales, a Brussels based organisation on the same lines as UKIPG, but comprising 'IPGs' from 10 Member States and 20 Europe-wide mono-professional organisations. Several other bodies are connected more loosely to CEPLIS. There is a formal MoU with EUROCADRES, which is a formally recognised 'Social Partner'. The UKIPG is represented on the CEPLIS Board by the Secretary. CEPLIS and EUROCADRES have agreed a Joint Position on the Legislative Proposal.
CII. The Chartered Insurance Institute is a regular publisher of 'Thinkpieces' and 'Papers in Professionalism'. You can join the mailing this for these. The most recent Thinkpieces are Numbers 73 - 'Is it Possible to have Sustainable Flood Insurance without Sustainable Flood Risk Management', 74 - 'From Brussels with Love: A perspective on Developing Insurance Regulation at EU level', 75 - 'Converging ideas: Building a European-wide Supervisory Culture in Insurance and Pensions'.