Paying back training fees NHS

poundz

Hello

I am currently in a training role at an NHS trust. The training I have received has been very poor, the trust has paid for my tuition fees but have not provided me with any of the support that the university has specified. A few months into my employment they sent me a policy document stating that I would need to repay fees should I leave within 2 years post-qualifying, but I never signed the document. In normal circumstances I would have wanted to stay at least 2 years to consolidate my knowledge as well as from a moral point of view. However, unfortunately the lack of support and treatment I have received from my manager has made me feel that there is no choice but to leave. I'm due to qualify in the next couple of months and another NHS trust has agreed to take me.

Is anyone able to advise me on whether the policy is likely to be legally binding without a signature?

Many thanks,

Amy

sangie595

If you haven't signed it, isn't legally binding. But... The NHS is a connected employer. Your new trust could reasonably and legally say they won't take you, and you could end up with no NHS employer willing to take you. They communicate. Not just now, but in the future. And they are allowed to say they won't employ you in the next, or any future roles. That's a risk you have to decide on.

TELLIT01

Have you complained formally, in writing, to the NHS Trust about their failure to provide any of the support the university specified? If not, why not? but in any event you need to write to them immediately.

poundz

Thanks for your reply. The new employer is already aware of the poor reputation of my current Trust's department and believes that reimbursing the fees may not be enforceable. Hopefully this will be the case.

poundz

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Have you complained formally, in writing, to the NHS Trust about their failure to provide any of the support the university specified? If not, why not? but in any event you need to write to them immediately.

I've had meetings with my manager to raise concerns as well as a meeting with my union and university for advice. My university told me off the record to get out as soon as I can and they hope to prevent any future students training there.

If the policy is enforceable I think I'm going to have to find a way to pay it, but it's likely to be in the range of £5000... It seems slightly unfair when the Trust have failed to keep their side of the bargain.

TELLIT01

poundz wrote: »

I've had meetings with my manager to raise concerns as well as a meeting with my union and university for advice. My university told me off the record to get out as soon as I can and they hope to prevent any future students training there.

If the policy is enforceable I think I'm going to have to find a way to pay it, but it's likely to be in the range of £5000... It seems slightly unfair when the Trust have failed to keep their side of the bargain.

On the face of it you seem to have grounds to question whether there should be any repayment as the trust haven't fulfilled their obligations in the view of the university. You might wish to consider offering a reduced amount if repayment is demanded, rather than refusing, due to the potential risks outlined by sangie.

sangie595

TELLIT01 wrote: »

On the face of it you seem to have grounds to question whether there should be any repayment as the trust haven't fulfilled their obligations in the view of the university. You might wish to consider offering a reduced amount if repayment is demanded, rather than refusing, due to the potential risks outlined by sangie.

I very much doubt that the university will confirm that they said any such thing. They will follow the money. It'd a nice theory that they won't accept more students from that Trust if the Trust don't keep their part of the equation. The truth is that they have financial targets and they will accept anybody paying the bill. Because if they don't, they won't have a course to run.

This is one for the union to run with, if they have already been involved. If anyone can solve it, they will.

nicechap

You say will qualify in the qualification the Trust has paid for?

What was the support that the Trust didn't provide?

I presume you were meant to build a portfolio of evidence of using the taught knowledge under mentorship or similar - if so, did you complete the portfolio?

If you have completed the portfolio of evidence, and qualified, and another Trust is taking you on as a qualified practitioner then I'd expect the Trust to pursue you. I'm aware of overseas recruits who went back home having got their qualification being pursued for training fees.

sangie595

nicechap wrote: »

You say will qualify in the qualification the Trust has paid for?

What was the support that the Trust didn't provide?

I presume you were meant to build a portfolio of evidence of using the taught knowledge under mentorship or similar - if so, did you complete the portfolio?

If you have completed the portfolio of evidence, and qualified, and another Trust is taking you on as a qualified practitioner then I'd expect the Trust to pursue you. I'm aware of overseas recruits who went back home having got their qualification being pursued for training fees.

Unless there is a signed training agreement in place, they have no legal recourse to pursue. Which doesn't mean they can't install spanners. Just that legally they cannot claim the money back.

poundz

sangie595 wrote: »

I very much doubt that the university will confirm that they said any such thing. They will follow the money. It'd a nice theory that they won't accept more students from that Trust if the Trust don't keep their part of the equation. The truth is that they have financial targets and they will accept anybody paying the bill. Because if they don't, they won't have a course to run.

This is one for the union to run with, if they have already been involved. If anyone can solve it, they will.

The university have asked me to write a formal letter detailing everything that has happened to use as evidence. The course leader did say he would have a battle with the university as they are interested in money, but he felt strongly that the Trust is not in a position to train as I am the sixth student (out of 6) to complain within the last 3 years. Unfortunately I feel I'm not in a position to write such a letter at the moment whilst still employed there, as much as I'd like to prevent others going through this in the future.

poundz

nicechap wrote: »

You say will qualify in the qualification the Trust has paid for?

What was the support that the Trust didn't provide?

I presume you were meant to build a portfolio of evidence of using the taught knowledge under mentorship or similar - if so, did you complete the portfolio?

If you have completed the portfolio of evidence, and qualified, and another Trust is taking you on as a qualified practitioner then I'd expect the Trust to pursue you. I'm aware of overseas recruits who went back home having got their qualification being pursued for training fees.

To put it simply there has been nothing in the way of a training programme since starting there - I turned up on my first day with no one expecting me and its been like that ever since. I was supposed to have three mentors, monthly progress meetings and thorough assessments but I've not received anything at all, despite asking for this several times. Whilst I can sympathise with how stretched the department is, I feel unsafe going into an advanced role there knowing that I will be given no support in my first few months post-qualification.

A portfolio is one part of the qualification which should include the monthly assessment forms etc that my manager has said she will backdate. I have passed the theoretical components of the course with some clinical assessments due in the new year.