What can I do if I am unhappy about how the plan is being implemented?
Following the usual complaints procedures, addressing any issues with Directors first, you can then complain directly to the Board of Trustees as is congruent with the current complaints procedure as outlined in the Complaints policy. For those students on a validated university course, there is an appeals procedure via the University of Bedfordshire. This is […]
What independent advice might be available?
Students would be able to take advice from the academic body if they are on a validated university course.
What notice will we receive if any aspect of the plan needs to be implemented?
Every effort would be made to ensure sufficient notice for planning to take place, with a minimum of two months’ notice.
What arrangements will you put in place to communicate
What arrangements will you put in place to communicate with students should the plan need to be implemented? What will you do to ensure that all students, regardless of their circumstances, are able to actively engage in discussions about implementing the plan? Every effort will be made to communicate clearly and equitably with all students. […]
Will you review the plan and how will you involve students?
We will review the plan and involve students in this process. We will review the plan during the termly course committee meetings which includes student representation. Students will have the opportunity to feedback to the committee any comments and suggestions to strengthen the plan and suggestions and comments taken to the Board of Trustees for […]
How will you communicate with Students about the Student Protection plan?
Along with the Institute’s complaints procedure and other relevant policies and information, the student protection plan is provided to students in their induction pack and students will be informed through the handbooks, the website and open evening which furnish prospective students with up to date information about the state of all courses in order for […]
How will I be refunded or compensated in the unlikely event that my course is not continued to completion?
This is dependent on individual circumstances, including the nature and stage of the course students are enrolled on. IFT has a Tuition Fees Policy which includes refunding fees and compensation. It can be found here: http://ift.org.uk/policies The policy includes the following information to students in the following areas in relation to refunds and compensation in […]
What measures have been put in place to mitigate the risks?
Closure of the Institution In the unlikely event that the Institute closes mid-way through course delivery, IFT will invoke its ‘teach out’ plan to protect students, where alternative premises will be identified to complete courses. If there was a situation that threatened the existence of the Institute where this was not possible, IFT would approach […]
What is IFT’s current assessment of any risks?
In over 40 years as a training provider there has never been a situation in which a course at IFT has not been completed. Risks are monitored in the following areas that may impact on students if they were to come about: Changes to advertised courses Loss of Professional Accreditation Low financial performance Loss of […]
How does IFT assess the risks that could affect its ability to continue to deliver the training programmes?
The Institute compiles a risk register for this purpose, and this is reviewed regularly by the following bodies: The Trustees of the Institute (‘Trustees’) meet quarterly where risks are identified and addressed – the risk register is reviewed annually at the Trustees’ meeting; Sub-committees – IFT has a Finance and General Purposes sub – committee, […]
What is a student protection plan?
A student protection plan ensures that IFT is transparent and clear so that students are aware of measures that are in place to identify and mitigate any risks there may be in relation to the delivery of the Institute’s training programme. Of course different students have differing needs and circumstances, and the courses are also […]
Employability
IFT courses are the standard course for preparing and training people to work in the NHS as family therapists either in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or Adult Mental Health Services. In order to apply for Family Therapy posts in the NHS, applicants must have successfully completed an MSc in Family and Systemic […]
Educational guidance
All tutors take responsibility for developing ways to support students who have specific learning needs. As many of the articles are provided electronically or on a USB flash drive, students can print out course materials in a font or one-coloured paper that facilitates appropriate access. Students are also provided with information about an app that […]
Wellbeing, mental health and student support
IFT takes seriously its commitment to supporting wellbeing and good mental health. Courses have personal and professional development requirements embedded in the course construction. This attends to issues that might arise from working in a therapeutic environment and learning about traumatic topics such as child sexual exploitation and family violence. If tutors are concerned about […]
Inclusive practice
The Institute uses a range of teaching and learning methods including PowerPoint presentations, use of recorded material to illustrate practice, reading seminars, student presentations, case consultations and demonstrations. Many courses use guest speakers who are leaders in the subject field in order to maintain the quality of the teaching and to employ cutting edge theory […]
Financial support and tuition fees
Training is free at the point of delivery for students accessing agency-based training courses. For those accessing all other courses, students either finance themselves or are wholly or partly funded by their employer. A small number take advantage of student loans. Tuition fees are maintained at the lowest level possible to be competitive with other […]
Induction and transition events; academic support
Courses have open evenings prior to the application process when tutors can explain the content of the courses, the professional and academic status and the process for application. Successful students have registration and induction days in which the course content is outlined in more detail as are the course requirements. For those progressing onto the […]
Accessing available facilities
In order to maintain IFT’s relevance to professionals working with children and families in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors, courses reflect the changing demands of professional standards. IFT maintains close connections with professional workforce development teams to review and refresh courses. All students are given access to the Institute’s library where they can photocopy […]
Recruitment process
Validated courses All validated courses have a dual application process between the Institute and the University of Bedfordshire. There is a RPEL Process for those applicants who might not have the traditional formal educational qualifications. All applicants must demonstrate their ability to work directly with families/ children/couples in order to support their practice development. Advice […]
Programme portfolio
The Institute provides a range of courses that are validated by the University of Bedfordshire and an additional range that are non-validated. Validated courses These are also professionally accredited by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, the ‘blue book’ for practice training and the ‘red book’ for supervision training. Students who successfully progress […]
Outreach activity
The purpose of the Institute’s outreach activity is to offer systemic training to the widest range of students possible. IFT provides an annual open workshop programme that can be accessed by anyone interested in the programme topics, which are delivered by national and international presenters. Participants receive a continuous professional certificate for the training hours […]