What is done to deal with anonymous SERFs that are thought to be malicious or falsified? As the process is predicated towards easy reporting, it is conceivable that information may be received that is anonymous. Whilst this is not necessarily a problem, it is possible that the situation may be encountered in which the contents are felt to be malicious or inaccurate. As the SERF system lays out process, but not outcome, the normal discussions with staff and student will rapidly identify if this unusual circumstance has occurred and if the outcome of a SERF is that the contents were felt to be false, the SERF will be removed from the student’s record. It must be noted that filling in a SERF with inaccurate or malicious information is itself a fitness to practice or serious conduct issue and anyone found to have done so will be subject to appropriate processes. How is the reporting process quality assured? All submitted SERFs are presented anonymously within the relevant course management meetings. This allows patterns related to educational provision, staff or facilities to be swiftly identified and remediated. This also allows audit of the process to occur, specifically considering if timelines are being met, confidentiality policy being followed and the appropriateness of the procedures to always be considered. An annual report will be submitted to the Dental Academic Committee regarding the process. Additionally, the reporting process will be covered within induction training for all students, and for all UCLan staff, as well as all staff within placement sessions who are trained to complete work based assessments, and finally all examiners who take part in the School of Dentistry assessment process.
What is done to deal with anonymous SERFs that are thought to be malicious or falsified? As the process is predicated towards easy reporting, it is conceivable that information may be received that is anonymous. Whilst this is not necessarily a problem, it is possible that the situation may be encountered in which the contents are felt to be malicious or inaccurate. As the SERF system lays out process, but not outcome, the normal discussions with staff and student will rapidly identify if this unusual circumstance has occurred and if the outcome of a SERF is that the contents were felt to be false, the SERF will be removed from the student’s record. It must be noted that filling in a SERF with inaccurate or malicious information is itself a fitness to practice or serious conduct issue and anyone found to have done so will be subject to appropriate processes. How is the reporting process quality assured? All submitted SERFs are presented anonymously within the relevant course management meetings. This allows patterns related to educational provision, staff or facilities to be swiftly identified and remediated. This also allows audit of the process to occur, specifically considering if timelines are being met, confidentiality policy being followed and the appropriateness of the procedures to always be considered. An annual report will be submitted to the Dental Academic Committee regarding the process. Additionally, the reporting process will be covered within induction training for all students, and for all UCLan staff, as well as all staff within placement sessions who are trained to complete work based assessments, and finally all examiners who take part in the School of Dentistry assessment process.
Dentistry_Serf_Guidelines.docx