Members may find the ‘Provider guide to Coronavirus – Student and consumer protection’ guidance from the OfS helpful when thinking about their communications with applicants in the lead-up to programmes starting in September. Whilst SCITTs are not subject to OfS regulations, the guidance is nonetheless helpful in shaping thinking about our communications and setting expectations for our trainees. The following paragraph may be of particular interest:
Consumer law defines ‘material information’ as information that is important in helping students make choices and decisions. We recognise that it will be difficult to provide information on exactly what the 2020-21 academic year might look like because this will change as public health advice changes.
Providers should, however:
- explain to students how they might deliver courses in different scenarios
- make it clear to students that the situation could change
- keep students informed where changes occur.