Foot Health Practitioner
Frequently Asked Questions

Stonebridge Associated Colleges offers these FAQs to help clarify frequent areas of confusion. By no means is this list intended to be exhaustive, and thus we ask that if you are still unsure about any matter after reading these FAQs (irrespective of how big or small), contact one of our friendly course advisors who will be more than glad to assist.

Foot Health Theory

  1. Is your course a basic course and is it accredited?
  2. Do students obtain a recognised qualification once the course is completed?
  3. How long does it take to complete the course?
  4. How am I assessed throughout the course?
  5. When does the term begin, and how soon can I start?
  6. How difficult is the course likely to be?
  7. Do I need a medical background?
  8. Do I need to meet a minimum/maximum age barrier to enrol on the course?
  9. Do I need previous qualifications to enrol on the course?
  10. Can I enrol from anywhere in the World?
  11. Can I do this course online?

Foot Health Practical FAQs

  1. Where do I go for my practical training?
  2. What are the conditions like that I will be training in?
  3. Will I learn how to use a drill and scalpel safely?
  4. How big are the practical training classes?
  5. Your practical training lasts for one week, whereas other college’s last for two weeks.
  6. Am I insured whilst doing my practical training?

Foot Health Profession FAQs

  1. Do I need to be a member of an "alliance" or any other register in order to secure professional indemnity insurance to practice?
  2. By law, do I need to belong to an "alliance" or register?
  3. Is any one "alliance" or register the governing body for Foot Health practitioners in the U.K.
  4. Once I am qualified do I need to attend regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and pay more?
  5. Are there any hidden charges such as extra courses that need to be purchased or mandatory CPD events that need to be attended?
  6. On completion of your course can I get listed under the Foot Health Classification in the Yellow Pages and in the BT phonebook?
  7. On completion of your course, will I have the knowledge and understanding to work in the private sector?
  8. Can I obtain insurance once I have successfully completed the course?
  9. What happens if I have any further questions?
  10. How do I enrol?

Foot Health Theory FAQs
 
Q Is your course a basic course, and is it accredited?
A We can assure you that our Foot Health Practitioner ASET Level 4 Diploma course is as advanced as any other training provider’s course in the U.K.

Our Foot Health Practitioner Course carries ASET Level 4 accreditation. This is good news for the College and great news for our Foot Health Practitioner students, as it means that on completion of your Foot Health Practitioner Course you will receive a Nationally Recognised award at a level of learning equivalent to Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which is currently the highest equivalent level of accreditation for a Foot Health Practitioner Course mapped to the NQF in the U.K!
Q Do students obtain a recognised qualification once the course is completed?
A Yes. Students will achieve two awards. The first is a Diploma issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges which allows you to use SAC Dip. (Foot Health Practitioner) after your name - this qualification tells the public that you are properly trained to a good working standard. The second award you will receive is an ASET Level 4 Certificate, which confirms that you have completed the Foot Health Practitioner Course at a level of learning equivalent to Level 4 on the NQF.
Q How long does it take to complete the course?
A This depends entirely upon the time a student can allocate to complete the coursework. In other words, the course is student-paced. On average a student will take anything from six to ten hours of work per lesson (there are twelve theory lessons and one week's practical training). But remember, you still need to complete the question papers after each lesson.
Q How am I assessed throughout the course?
A By means of assessments that need to be completed after each lesson and submitted to your tutor for marking via e-mail or post (depending upon your method of study). This enables your tutor to monitor your ongoing progress. At the end of the course there is a final exam that is also completed from home, so you need never leave the comfort of your house.
Q When does the term begin, and how soon can I start?
A Immediately! Unlike traditional schools, colleges or universities, there are no terms, semesters, or specified enrolment dates for our uniquely flexible distance education courses. When you receive the first lesson book, read it, and complete the accompanying question paper when you feel ready. Send it to us for your tutor's appraisal. We will return the paper, marked, with helpful comments where appropriate.
Q How difficult is the course likely to be?
A Since the courses are written and structured especially for study at home, you will find that the course material is written in a clear and easy-to-understand format.
Q Do I need a medical background?
A No. We recognise that some students will have relevant experience, and that others will be new to medical matters. The College's courses are designed to be understandable to the medically inexperienced, and yet contain material that will be new to those with previously gained medical knowledge.
Q Do I need to meet a minimum/maximum age barrier to enrol on the course?
A Age is no barrier, and the course is enjoyable, interesting and of value to all.
Q Do I need previous qualifications to enrol on the course?
A No. You do not need entry qualifications to train in the Private Sector. Anyone of average ability has the capacity to become a Foot Health Practitioner.
Q Can I enrol from anywhere in the World?
A Yes. The theory element of the course is available to students worldwide. It crosses all geographical boundaries and requires no previous knowledge from the student. However, please contact the College to discuss the options available to you regarding your practical training.
Q Can I do this course online?
A Yes. For details, please visit www.elearnuk.com.
 

Foot Health Practical FAQs
 
Q Where do I go for my practical training?
A Practical training is held on the College campus in our dedicated Foot Health Centre. The College is situated on the beautiful North Cornish coast (Bude) and is an ideal place for students to come and relax while they undertake their practical training. Students will be given the opportunity to work under supervision on real patients.
Q What are the conditions that I will be training in?
A The College has just had a brand new, purpose-built and fully equipped Foot Health Centre built for your training. You will be taught by fully trained and registered professionals in a modern environment that has been designed for learning.
Q Will I learn how to use a drill and scalpel safely?
A During your practical training, you will be supervised and instructed by a State-Registered Chiropodist at all times, who has had at least 15 years of practical experience. This knowledge will be passed on to you during your training to ensure that you are fully able to use a scalpel and drill safely on your clients.
Q How big are the practical training classes?
A Unlike other training providers, we believe that students benefit more from near personal tuition. That is why your class size will never exceed 6 students (our goal is to run practical courses more frequently rather than to try and fill the classes up). This ensures that your tutor can "get to know you", can give you individual attention and instruction, and is always available to answer any questions you may have.

Many other training providers have class sizes in excess of 12 students. Whilst this may be more 'profitable', students do not have the same level of personal contact with their tutor, and thus the focus on 'the bottom line' ultimately has a detrimental affect on the quality of training the student receives.
Q Why does your practical training lasts for one week, whereas other colleges' last for two weeks?
A It has been said that colleges that offer two weeks' practical training spend a lot of time covering the theory that you have already learnt throughout the theoretical training element of the course, and that they cover a lot of (fairly unnecessarily complex) business lessons (which we include in the theory, hence you do not need to be lectured on this element). We believe that these colleges generally try and 'pad' the training out as much as possible to obviously charge more.

By law you are only required to complete 2 days' training in order to get insurance to practice in the private sector, and thus there really is little need for the course to run for 2 weeks. Our students generally like the idea of an intensive one-week course, because it fits in well with their work/family commitments.

More importantly however, our course is not 'padded'. You spend two days learning the practical techniques etc., and then three days working on real-life patients. Although our training is shorter, we can assure you that you will be equally (if not more) competent than those who opt for the two-week training course. What's more, if you feel that you would like to do an additional week's training, this can always be arranged.
Q   Am I insured whilst doing my practical training?
A   Yes. Whilst at the College you are covered by the College's own insurance policies. The College offers full insurance protection for the practice of all disciplines taught at the School.
 

Foot Health Profession FAQs
 
Q   Do I need to be a member of an 'alliance' or any other register in order to secure professional indemnity insurance to practice?
A   No, absolutely not. Beware of any training provider who insists that you need to belong to an 'alliance' or register to secure professional indemnity insurance, as this is simply not true. On successful completion of our course (and practical training) you can secure insurance to practice, whether or not you choose to join our (or anybody else’s) register.
Q   By law, do I need to belong to an 'alliance' or register?
A   Once again, the answer to this is "no". Although we run and administer the Register of Foot Health Practitioners (RFHP), there is no legal requirement for you to belong to this or any other register or 'alliance'.
Q   Is any one 'alliance' or register the governing body for Foot Health Practitioners in the U.K.?
A   No, every College sets up their own 'alliance' or register for the benefit of its students. No one particular 'alliance' or register regulates the profession, contrary to what they may lead you to believe.
Q   Once I am qualified, do I need to attend regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and pay more?
A   Many other training providers will make CPD a compulsory term of membership to their 'alliance' or register. Compulsory CPD is nothing more than a way of extracting more course fees from students by forcing them to attend more courses with the College. There is no legal requirement to attend CPD in the U.K. for the Foot Health profession.

At Stonebridge Associated Colleges, we do not believe in forcing our students to attend such CPD, nor do we approve of CPD as a marketing tool to 'make more money'. Once you have qualified with us and have joined the Register of Foot Health Professionals (RFHP), we will not force you to do any further CPD courses.

We do, however, run advanced short practical training courses in subjects such as Diabetes and Foot Care, Biomechanics and Reflexology etc. However, these courses are entirely optional, and you will not be required to do them. If you do decide to do an advanced course, you will be awarded with CPD points.
Q   Are there any hidden charges, such as extra courses that need to be purchased or mandatory CPD events that need to be attended?
A   Many other training providers will insist that you purchase certain further courses and textbooks. They may even insist that you gain a certain number of CPD points per annum. This is nothing more then a way of securing more money from their students. We believe that the interests of our students are paramount, and that is why we are completely transparent with our pricing.

When you enrol on our course, the price you see is the price you pay. You are not required to purchase any further courses or textbooks (as these are all included in the cost of the course), and you are not required to attend any expensive mandatory CPD training.

Food, travel and accommodation costs are your only other expenses. However, we have managed to secure some great discounts at local hotels for our students. For a full list of hotels, B&B’s and self catering apartments in the near vicinity, please contact the College.
Q   On completion of your course, can I get listed under the Foot Health Classification in the Yellow Pages and in the BT Phonebook?
A   Quite simply, the answer to this question is "yes".
Q   On completion of your course, will I have the knowledge and understanding to work in the private sector?
A   All of Stonebridge Associated Colleges' trained Foot Health Practitioners are the very best at what they do, having received both the best theoretical and practical experience to ensure their continued success. Our Foot Health Practitioners hold Nationally Recognised qualifications that display their knowledge and confidence to the public. This is why Stonebridge Associated Colleges train the best Foot Health Practitioners in the private sector.
Q   Can I obtain insurance once I have successfully completed the course?
A   Basic cover starts at only £75.00 per annum for one year's cover. Please contact the College for further details.
Q   What happens if I have any further questions?
A   Please contact the College, where the administration team will be delighted to advise you on any other aspects of your study.
Q   How do I enrol?
A  

Once you've made the decision to enrol, getting started with your studies couldn't be simpler! If you would like to study the course via the postal system, you can visit our website at www.stonebridge.uk.com and enrol online, or you can contact one of our friendly course advisors who will process your enrolment over the phone (01288 356 300).

If you would like to study the course online, you can visit our website at www.elearnuk.com and enrol online, or you can contact one of our friendly course advisors who will process your enrolment over the phone (01288 356 300).

Content copyright Stonebridge Associated Colleges, All rights reserved, 2006.

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