AHPs Returning to Practice with CNWL

Returning to practice is a self-directed process. It is your responsibility to make sure that you meet the appropriate requirements and can practise safely and effectively within your scope of practice as identified in the Health & Care Professional Standards (HCPC) standards.

• You will need to update your knowledge and skills from any combination of supervised practice, formal study, and private study before you apply for registeration with the HCPC. 
• The process for applying to return to the HCPC register is outlined on their website. You should read and understand what is required for returning to practice by reviewing the HCPC website. 
• If you have not yet done so, you should also review the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics and standards of proficiency for your profession. 

How to join the programme

There is an NHS England HCPC Return to Practice programme which has resources to support you to return to practice and it can also provide you with financial support.

Please register with the programme to obtain your NHSE Return to Practice reference number. We will require this reference number if you want to explore returning to practice with us.

To register your interest for returning to practice with CNWL and to help us identify how best to support you, please click to complete the form.

Please note, if after you have re-registered with the HCPC and it is found that you are not practising in a way that meets HCPC standards, action will be taken against you using internal and/or the HCPC fitness to practise process. Information you supply must be accurate.

The return to practice (HCPC) programme is available on the NHS England learning hub platform.

Access here: https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/rpt

This course is intended to improve understanding of the HCPC return to practice process and the support offered by The NHS England Return to Practice programme for HCPC returners.

The course offers specific content for returners, supervisors, and organisations. As everyone involved in the return to practice process gains a better understanding of the process and the support available, returners can be supported more effectively to rejoin the health and care workforce.

How easy was the journey?

“I initially found the thought of returning to practice after a ten-year career break extremely daunting. But in getting started, I found the information provided by the Health Education England Return to Practice programme and the support by CNWL really helpful. Once I began, I found combining work, home and study much less difficult than I thought I would, and am so glad that I made the decision to return to occupational therapy”

What support did you receive?

“I was so pleased to be offered a supervised practice placement within community paediatrics at CNWL. My supervisor and the whole of the occupational therapy team were so encouraging and supportive of my return to practice journey, taking time to share their knowledge and expertise and providing me with copious opportunities to learn new skills and refresh old ones.”

You can find further case studies from those who have returned to practice on the NHS England AHP Return to Practice website page and HCPC website.