Criterion 4: Extraordinary Circumstances

If you consider that there are extraordinary circumstances that require you to be in a particular location whilst you undertake your foundation programme, and your circumstances have changed since submitting your original application or commencing your foundation training, you can use this criterion to submit your IFST application.

Applications under this criterion are for extraordinary circumstances only, and not just any other circumstance for which evidence is not available to meet the requirements for one of the other criteria.

Applicants should refer to the list below which gives examples of circumstances that would and would not be considered extraordinary.

Criterion does not support

  • Applications based on caring responsibilities that do not meet the requirements of criterion 2 Primary Carer are not considered to be extraordinary circumstances and should not be submitted under this criterion. Such applications are likely to be rejected.
  • Applications which relate to health grounds must be submitted under criterion 3 Health Condition or Disability. This includes mental health conditions. Applicants who request an IFST to a foundation school for any type of health-related reason under criterion 4 are likely to be rejected.
  • Applications should not be submitted under this criterion due to supporting evidence not being available to meet the requirements for all other criteria. There is not a criterion for all personal circumstances and in the absence of one that fits, applicants should not use criterion 4 unless their circumstances really are extraordinary. 

The list below provides examples of circumstances that would be considered extraordinary by the national review panel. This list is not exhaustive, and there will other circumstances considered extraordinary.

Athlete
An applicant who is an athlete supported on an international-level representative sports training programme. The requirement would be to remain in a particular location to continue their training.  

The application would need to be signed by the national coach/manager with an explanation to why the applicant needs to be allocated to, or remain at the location requested and not elsewhere, as an athlete may be able to train at any athletics club.

It would be acceptable if the application is part of a national training programme and the rest of the team are based in one location, for example.

Armed Forces Commitments
An applicant who is a member of the armed force reserves. The applicant intends to continue with this commitment whilst undertaking foundation training. The applicant therefore needs to access force training during the week and at weekends.

The application would need to be signed by their commanding officer and evidence of why the applicant needs to be at the location requested and not any other reservist training camp would need to be provided.
 
Adapted housing 
An applicant who has a long-term disability which does not impact on their ability to work as a foundation doctor but requires an IFST on the basis of remaining in adapted housing.

It is expected that the applicant would already be living in a home that has been adapted to support their needs, and the request for an IFST would be to the foundation school region within which that home address falls under.

The application should be supported and signed by a professional from a housing department, social worker or medical practitioner.

The list below provides examples of circumstances that would not be considered extraordinary by the national review panel, and the application would likely be rejected. This list is not exhaustive, and there will be other circumstances which will not be considered extraordinary.
 
Relationship related circumstances
Long-term relationships
Marriage
Civil partnerships
Common-law partnerships
Family members

Housing related circumstances
Home ownership
Wishing to live with a partner, family member or friend (including for financial reasons)
Existing or future accommodation/ housing arrangements

Other circumstances
Financial hardship
Pursuits and hobbies
Other work/employment or voluntary roles
Club level sports and athletics
Pregnancy

Completing the application form for criterion 4

  • Part 1 of the application form must be completed by you in which you describe your extraordinary circumstances.
  • Part 2 of the application form must be completed by the supporting signatory. This must be an individual who holds a professional role and is in a position of authority in relation to the request. They should describe the current extraordinary situation and explain why foundation training can only be carried out in a specific location rather than another location in the UK.
  • Part 3 of the application form must be completed by the Foundation School Director (or deputy) at the foundation school within which you are already in a training programme, or have been allocated to.
  • Part 4 of the application does not contain any section that requires completion or a signature. However, the information provided should be read and understood by the applicant.
  • The information provided by the supporting signatory needs to be legible, clear and explicit.
Download the application form

Supporting evidence requirements

You are required to provide the following supporting evidence

  1. Proof of current address in your name, and which is in the area of the foundation school that you need to transfer to (see proof of address guidance for list of acceptable documents).

Supporting signatory requirements

The supporting signatory must:

  • be over the age of 18.
  • have known the applicant for 1 month or more.  In circumstances where this is not the case, the applicant must provide an explanation as to why their supporting signatory has not known them longer, and why an alternative signatory could not be used to support the application.
  • not be in a personal relationship with the applicant.
  • not live at the same address as the applicant.
  • not be related to the applicant by birth or marriage.
  • not be a doctor in training of any grade (up to ST8).