Can't qualify as a sports therapist?

[Suzieb]

I've put this in the Law section as well because I'm really hoping someone can help me.

My boyfriend is doing a Sports Therapy degree. As he has a criminal record (ABH) he had to attend a meeting at the university before he started, and they were happy to accept him onto the course regardless of this.

However, only recentley, they have told him that he may not be able to finish his degree because the Society of Sports Therapists may not allow him to be a member due to his criminal record, so therefore he wouldn't be able to register as a sports therapist.

Whilst I think this is really unfair that they allowed him to get a few months into the course without telling them this, I can see the their point.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

[rosycider]

This is because the Society of Sports therapists are hoping to regulated by the Health Professions council. I would assume that most Sports science degrees taken now will lead to automatic registration of the Health Professions Council. Each person who has successfully completed the course would need to 'signed' off as fit to practice. Any criminal record would need to be declared and may necessitate a review by the regulating body ( the Society for Sports therapists). In applying for jobs your boyfriend would have to declare all criminal records. In health and social care related jobs this is a requirement. He would have a criminal records check anyway so if he didnt declare it it would be found out. There is nothing to stop him completing the course but the University clearly dont know which way the HPC and the Society of Sports Therapists would look on his criminal record. It is dependant on the type of conviction. To be honest ABH doesnt look good....... Have you contacted the Society of Sports therapists to ask them what there views are? I would say the University is giving sound advice. He might be able to get a job as a Sports therapist but couldnt call himself a qualified therapist unless he had the actual qualification. Its a bit like someone saying they are a nurse but they arent qualified as a registered nurse.

[Suzieb]

Thanks very much for the helpful reply.
His tutor is arranging for him to meet with somebody from the sports therapist society, and they'll be able to tell him more.
This could be a few months away though so, was just trying to find out as much as I could.
I did email them via their website, but no reply just yet.

Thanks again.

[The Teacher]

It depends also on whether or not he will have contact with children when he qualifies.

Anyone who wishes to work with children must fill a CRB form which then lists any convictions obtained. If it is not a spent conviction he may not be allowed to work with children. Also the nature of the conviction, i.e. whom did he assualt and in what circumstances, may debar him.