F2 Special Circumstances
Severn Foundation School recognises that situations can change and offers an F2 Special Circumstances process for foundation doctors who meet the relevant criteria, which are similar to the UKFP Pre-Allocation criteria for F1s. This process is open to existing F1s whose situation has changed since their original FP application and to F1s originally allocated via special circumstances whose F2 rotation may not be suitable.
Before completing your application, please familiarise yourself with the guidance notes below.
Guidance Notes
Current Severn F1 doctors were allocated to a two-year programme when appointed. This policy is designed to ensure that foundation doctors with specific needs are placed in appropriate F2 rotations WITHIN the Severn Foundation School. It is not suitable for those needing to transfer between Deaneries/Foundation Schools. Such foundation doctors should complete a Foundation School Transfer application, available from the national Foundation Programme website.
Policy
The following (in isolation) DO NOT constitute grounds for making a Special Circumstances application:
- Wishing to stay in the same Trust/wishing to move to a different Trust
- Living/owning property in a specific location
- A spouse’s/partner’s geographical location
- Career aspirations (i.e., your allocated programme does not contain the specialty you want)
Please refer to the F2 swaps process instead.
Special Circumstances Criteria
Criterion 1:
You are a parent or legal guardian of a child or children under the age of 18, who reside primarily with you or for whom you have significant caring responsibilities, and your circumstances have changed since submitting your original Foundation Programme application.
Applicants must describe how their circumstances have changed and why they need to change their F2 allocation to meet their caring responsibilities.
Supporting documentation required (mandatory for all applicants):
- copy of birth certificate(s) of the child(ren).
- for legal guardians, a copy of the legal document that confirms your status for the child named in the birth certificate.
- statement confirming that you have significant caring responsibilities for the child(ren)from an appropriate professional who you would normally have known for at least six months.
- proof of current address, e.g. driving licence, utility bill dated within the last three months or council tax bill dated within the last twelve months
Criterion 2:
You are the primary carer for someone who is disabled (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) and your circumstances have changed since submitting your original Foundation Programme application.
Applicants must describe how their circumstances have changed and why they need to change their F2 allocation to meet their caring responsibilities.
For you to meet this criterion, you must be the primary carer for this person, who would normally be your partner, sibling or parent. If the person you are caring for is not your partner, sibling or parent, you will have to explain clearly and present a strong case as to why and how you have the role of primary carer for this person.
You will be required to complete a care plan to demonstrate how you will combine the responsibilities of a foundation doctor and primary carer, and that you have fully considered local support and resources.
You will be required to supply the following supporting evidence:
- statement from GP/Social Services professional that you have known for normally at least six months confirming your role as primary carer for this person.
- care plan.
- proof of current address, e.g. driving licence, utility bill dated within the last three months or council tax bill dated within the last twelve months.
Criterion 3:
The applicant has a medical condition or disability for which local follow up for the condition in the specified location is an absolute requirement and their circumstances have changed since submitting their original Foundation Programme application.
Applicants must describe how their circumstances have changed and why they need to change their F2 allocation.
You will be required to supply the following supporting evidence:
- A report, by the current medical specialist treating your condition or Occupational Health physician, in which they will be required to:
- describe the current medical condition or disability.
- describe the nature of the ongoing treatment and frequency.
- explain why the follow up must be delivered in a specific location rather than by other treatment centres in the UK.
- proof of current address, e.g. driving licence, utility bill dated within the last three months or council tax bill dated within the last twelve months
Criterion 4:
Unique circumstances
If you consider that there are unique circumstances that require you to be in a particular environment whilst you undertake your Foundation Programme, you can apply for Special Circumstances under this criterion.
Applicants must describe how their circumstances have changed and why they need to change their F2 allocation.
You must provide evidence regarding these circumstances including the reasons for placement in a particular location from a professional individual who has recognised
standing to support the application.
You will be required to supply the following supporting evidence:
- Statement by a professional that:
- describes the current unique situation.
- explains why the follow up must be delivered in a specific location rather than another location in the UK.
- proof of current address, e.g. driving licence, utility bill dated within the last three months or council tax bill dated within the last twelve months.
Process
- In the first instance, discuss your plans with your Educational Supervisor and Trust Foundation Programme Director.
- Complete the Special Circumstances application form, and obtain the signatures required. Please be aware that even if an application is approved in principle, approval will be dependent on posts being available.
- Your completed form and supporting documentation must be submitted to england.sevfoundation.sw@nhs.net
- Incomplete or incorrectly completed forms will not be considered.
- The Foundation School Director or their representative will lead a panel to review the form and determine whether to approve or decline your application.
- If your application is approved, the panel will invite you to preference the available F2 rotations, to help them inform the allocation process. The F2 rotation you are offered will depend on availability. Some vacant F2 rotations will be used for foundation doctors repeating F2, foundation doctors returning from Time Out of Foundation Programme, LTFT foundation doctors, Foundation School Transfers (in), etc. The Foundation School will make decisions about appropriate rotations to offer you, based on a balanced educational experience.
- Applicants may withdraw their special circumstances application up to the preferencing window deadline. Once the preferencing window has closed, submitted requests cannot be withdrawn.
- The Foundation School will notify you of the outcome of your application.
- If you are unsuccessful, you may lodge an appeal against the decision.
- If your circumstances change after the Special Circumstances deadline, you may still make an application, which the Foundation School will consider, but the above process may not apply.
Special Circumstances Application Form
Timeline
| Application window opens | 02/12/2024 09:00 am GMT |
| Application window closes | 03/01/2025 12:00 midday GMT |
| Preferencing window opens | 08/01/2025 |
| Preferencing window closes | 22/01/2025 |
| Deadline for withdrawing from process | 22/01/2025 |
| Results released | 31/01/2025 |