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.

• Change in designated supervisor or site
• Changing to a new employer
• No satisfactory sign-offs
• Notice requirements
• The registration assessment
• International trainees – changing tutor
• International trainees – changing site
• International trainees – change of ownership
• International trainees – going to a new employer 

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 trainees are undertaking their placement in a large multiple and their designated supervisor switches to a different branch, one option would be to follow the designated supervisor to the new branch.

If it is not possible, trainees should check with their employer to see how long it will take them to get a new designated supervisor. It is worth bearing in mind that the 52-week sign-off can only be given by a designated supervisor who has known the trainee for at least six months. So, trainees whose designated supervisor changes suddenly quite late on in the training year may need to extend their training.

For example, if a designated supervisor goes on maternity leave when a trainee is at week 40 the trainee would revert to week 27 of the training year. Trainees who find themselves in this position should seek advice from the GPhC as it may be possible to identify another pharmacist within the workplace who could give the final sign-off.

All trainees who are changing designated supervisor and/or site or extending their training period will have to fill in a ‘change of training details’ form. This is available to download on the GPhC website.

Changing to a new employer

In some instances, trainees may find that they wish to switch to a new employer. Trainees can bank sections of training for which they have a sign-off prior to switching to a new placement. For example, trainees can bank at week 13 or at week 26 provided they have a satisfactory sign-off. A satisfactory week 39 sign-off can be used to register for the foundation assessment, however week 39 cannot be banked. Trainees would revert to week 27 in their new placement because the final sign-off (week 52) can only be given by a tutor who has known the trainee for at least six months.

Trainees should note that they must gain GPhC permission before banking and switching. The GPhC will only recognise training that they have approved, any unapproved training will not count toward the standard 52 weeks of foundation training.

No satisfactory sign-offs

Trainees who have no satisfactory sign-offs can still change to a new employer, however they will start again at week 1 of the training year. NHS England provides a grant for a maximum of 52 weeks of training. There is no guarantee that any additional training required beyond the 52-week threshold will be paid. Trainees who have undertaken a large portion of their foundation training should double check with their local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to ensure that they will be funded for extended training.

To search for your local CCG, see the NHS website.

For further information about the foundation training grant, see our Foundation training grant page

Trainees should also check for the GPhC deadlines for beginning an approved foundation placement, as once the window for commencing training at week 1 has closed, trainees will have to wait until the following foundation year to begin their new placement.

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).

Trainees should also check for any additional clauses, for example, a financial penalty for leaving before the 52 weeks of training is finished.

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

The registration assessment

Trainees who switch midway might want to check the GPhC deadlines for registering to sit the assessment. Trainees who revert to an earlier sign-off may find that they cannot sit the assessment at the time they had originally planned to.

Trainees should note that there is a time limit for completion of an MPharm and foundation training. The time limit is eight years from commencing an MPharm to joining the GPhC register as a pharmacist.  Trainees who are coming up to the eight-year deadline might want to contact the GPhC for further advice before switching placements.