1 August 2025

GOC approves resources to support transition to updated education and training requirements

Spoke

The General Optical Council (GOC) has approved the three final projects led by the Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE) to support education providers’ transition to the updated education and training requirements.

The projects are as follows:

Optometry and dispensing optics qualifications

Project six: Fitness to train and reasonable adjustments

Project six (PDF) considers the relationships between ‘fitness to train’, reasonable adjustments and suspension of studies (in education settings) and the equivalent processes in employment settings. It has been developed through desk-based research, and a series of sector meetings in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. 

The report considers the importance of supporting those with disabilities and championing diversity whilst considering where the borderlines lie regarding patient safety. The report summarises the themes identified during SPOKE network discussions which include: 

  • robust systems and entry requirements
  • mental health and undeclared issues
  • assessing new and chronic health conditions
  • fitness to practise timelines
  • confidentiality and data protection
  • academic misconduct
  • reasonable adjustments
  • assessment of communication outcomes

Project seven: Getting the most from the multi-disciplinary team

Project seven consists of an online toolkit developed in collaboration with sector stakeholders and through desk-based research. It aims to showcase good practice in enabling learners to integrate within multidisciplinary teams at each stage of their journey to registration. Each page is intended to address different learner stages, progressing from theory to active clinical practice, via safe experiential learning environments to develop confidence and competence. 

Specialist qualifications run by SPOKE

Project four: Inclusive education for specialist qualifications

Project four looks at how learners from varied educational and experiential backgrounds can be best supported as they pursue specialist qualifications. It identifies the challenges they face and suggests tools available to help them succeed.

“These projects really highlight and address the diverse opportunities and challenges resulting from the implementation of the GOC’s Education and Training Requirements. Our sector stakeholders have continued to grow in their enthusiasm and engagement throughout the duration of SPOKE, and the final projects delivered under the original GOC contracts have benefited, yet again, from input from employers, course teams and other sector representative bodies. The steering group are delighted to be continuing to lead this important work via SPOKE and look forward to starting work on Project One of SPOKE (2025-28).”

Professor Lizzy Ostler, Director of Education for The College of Optometrists

“I’m delighted that the publication of the final outputs of SPOKE’s programme of activities and projects for optometry and dispensing optics and specialist qualifications will successfully conclude at the end of July 2025. These latest resources will aid providers in addressing fitness to train concerns without compromising patient safety, benefit learners to develop their experience of working in multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective patient care, as well as support learners with varied backgrounds to acquire specialist qualifications.

I would like to thank all the stakeholders that have contributed to SPOKE’s vibrant community over the last four years. Collaboration has been a key ingredient in implementing the education and training reforms and SPOKE has played a pivotal role in this. Work remains to complete a successful transition to the new education and training system, so I’m looking forward to working with SPOKE when its new three-year contract to deliver the SPOKE Knowledge Hub begins in August.”

Steve Brooker, Director of Regulatory Strategy at the GOC

SPOKE is a cross-sector collaboration funded by the General Optical Council (GOC), led by The College of Optometrists, and managed by a steering group comprising representatives from the College, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the Optometry Schools Council (OSC). SPOKE will enter a new three-year contract beginning August 2025. 

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