HCPC launches consultation on standards of education and training

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has opened a 13‑week consultation on proposed changes to its Standards of Education and Training (SETs), which underpin the quality of programmes preparing future health and care professionals in the UK.

The SETs are a central part of HCPC’s statutory role to protect the public. They ensure that anyone qualifying to join the HCPC Register has the skills, knowledge, and professional readiness to deliver safe and effective care.

Key proposed changes

• New structure: Standards reorganised to reflect how education providers use them, with a clearer split between institutional and programme requirements.
• Stronger EDI focus: A requirement for providers to embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all strategies and policies.
• Technology readiness: Expectations for providers to stay up‑to‑date with emerging technologies and apply them ethically and effectively in learning.
• Applies to all learning models: Strengthened standards to ensure consistent application across classroom, practice‑based, and remote learning settings.

HCPC emphasises that the proposals were shaped in collaboration with education providers, learners, professional bodies, and service users.

Consultation details

The consultation is now live and will run until Monday 16 February 2026. HCPC is encouraging responses from individuals, organisations, and stakeholders across the sector.

All consultation documents, including the revised draft standards and a link to the survey, are available on the HCPC consultation page.

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