Peninsula Foundation School

Reservist Leave Policy

 

Version:

01

Ratified by:

The PG Dean and the National Group of FSDs (recorded in minutes from Jan 2020 meeting)

Date ratified:

Jan 2020

Name and Title of originator/author(s):

Sarah Rawlinson Foundation School Director

Date issued:

06/03/20

Review date:

March 2023 or sooner if further guidance received

Document History:

Version 1 6/3/20

1. Introduction

There is no HEE formal National Policy on dealing with requests from Foundation trainees for leave to attend Reservist activities.  In order to standardise the approach to such requests across all trusts within the Peninsula the Foundation School Committee agreed adopt this policy, the principles of which were agreed by the National Groups of Foundation School Directors January 2020.  This policy reflects the uniqueness of the Foundation Training Programme which is both competency based AND time based, i.e. that a trainee must complete all the required competencies and 24 months of training. 

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure all requests to attend Reservist commitments/activities are treated fairly and consistently across all trusts within the Peninsula and to clarify the school’s position to trainees.

 

3. Principles

  • The Peninsula Foundation School fully supports foundation trainees who are reservists and is committed to supporting this activity.
  • Issues relating to BOTH employment and training must be considered.
  • The GMC 20 days statutory leave cannot be used in a planned way to cover reservist training courses.
  • All foundation trainees should make their reservist officers aware that during foundation training they are restricted on the amount of leave they can take without an impact on their training. They should discuss how to achieve a balance that best serves both commitments.
  • If an employing trust agrees unpaid leave, this will be supported by the Foundation School but this will result in an extension to training funded at the trusts’ cost.
  • The FS will consider study leave applications for courses that have competencies relevant to Foundation training. This will require sign off by the Foundation School Director.
  • Foundation trainees may need to use annual leave to facilitate reservist training.
  • Reservists should seek advice early in their foundation training from their Foundation Programme Director in their employing trust about how to balance foundation training requirements and reservist training.
  • Policy will be reviewed a minimum of every 3 years and sooner if further information or guidance becomes available from HEE.