Ms Mary McHugh:

From CORU's point of view, we had to inform students. We were given a particular line to use in our documentation stating a course was not currently accredited. That was clearly stated on all of the publications on the course so that students were aware of that prior to coming onto a programme. We got approval this year so our new prospectus has all the information on that.

I wholeheartedly agree with the point on career guidance. We would have a concern about students coming onto a programme. When we interview students, particularly mature students, we would inform them of the requirements and how stringent they are in attendance and failed elements. All of those things will be outlined to a student, especially a mature student. Those coming through the CAO have a different experience as they are younger and they are depending on other things.

There is a perception that social care is a lovely course to come onto. It is a lovely and wonderful career but there are strict requirements and clear guidelines on the protection of the public. We did a lot of work with first-year students in particular on that area of informing students of the requirements. Some students choose to opt out of the course because of that, and that might be a choice they make for different reasons, but there is definitely an awareness, particularly among undergraduates and those coming in through the CAO, around social care that it is a wonderful programme to come onto but that there are particular requirements. I mentioned DARE and HEAR and all those initiatives for students and the diverse range of populations.

Offering students places on programmes is fantastic. However, the supports required to get those students through, and the awareness and supports they need to get them through are the important thing, otherwise you are going to have students who are not going to make it through those social care programmes. That is really important, and something we need to consider going down the line. We need to put more supports into those courses to ensure that students are able to go through it. That is a resource issue. That comes down to resources, at the end of the day. I do not know whether that answers the Deputy's question or not.