More often than not, foundation trainees complete their training year without needing to make any changes to their placement. However, on occasion, a trainee may need to change designated supervisors or switch to a new training site. This page contains information about how to manage changes.

If you are having issues with your placement you should seek advice from NHSE as soon as possible. We would not recommend that you leave your placement without contacting NHSE. If your issues have still not been resolved you can contact the GPhC for further guidance or you can raise a concern about your training. You can find out more about raising a concern here.

If you began your training prior to the 2025/26 training year but have not completed your  training by the end of the 2024/25 training year you should contact the GPhC as soon as possible so that they can confirm what training you have completed. You should also contact your local NHS Statutory Education Body to discuss the available training options. You can find your local SEB here.

Change in designated supervisor or site

There can be several reasons for a change in designated supervisor, examples include a designated supervisor taking maternity or long-term sick leave or switching to another branch, or personal or professional differences could develop between a trainee and designated supervisor.

If a designated supervisor leaves trainees should check with their employer to see how long it will take them to get a new designated supervisor. Trainees should contact the NHS Statutory Education Body for further guidance.

Notice requirements

Prior to leaving a placement, trainees should check their notice requirements carefully. Minimum notice requirements are set out in law (statutory notice), however, employers can set out a longer notice period in the employment contract (contractual notice).

For further information about employment contracts, see our Employment contracts information.

International trainees – changing designated supervisor 

International trainees with an approved sponsor and work visa will not need to report to the UKVI about a change in designated supervisor as their sponsor and site remains unchanged.

International trainees – change of ownership

If there is a change of ownership trainees will need to make sure that their new employer fits all the sponsorship criteria and make a fresh visa application. Trainees should double-check that the new owner/company has put in application with the Home Office for a new sponsorship licence.

Trainees should note that for visa purposes, this would be treated as a new job with a new visa and a new certificate of sponsorship reference number, commonly know as a COS, even though the premises have not changed. Trainees would not be able to work for their new employer without a new visa.

Trainees who hold a graduate visa will not need to apply for a new visa, and they will not require a sponsor.

We would like to thank Citizens Advice Manchester for providing us with all of the immigration information for inclusion in this page

For further information about visa requirements, see our Visa requirements for the foundation year page.

This page was last checked and updated in December 2025.