At vet school
Several veterinary schools perform DBS (formerly CRB) checks on incoming students and any history relating to a criminal record should have been picked up at that point in those veterinary schools. If, for whatever reason, you are on a veterinary course and your criminal record is undeclared, if the school were to find out before you informed them yourself then it is likely that the outcome would be severe. It is advised that you are open with your school and inform them of the situation as soon as possible.
Inform your veterinary school about any history of mental illness you may have. Although these issues can be difficult to discuss, not informing your school may mean that they do not provide all the support and reasonable adjustments that you would be entitled to if this history comes to light in any other way.
Ask for any sources of help which are available to you. Universities have support systems for their students, with mental health professionals as part of those systems. Links to relevant support organisations can be found on the At vet school page.
After graduation
In order to practise as a vet in the UK it is necessary to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. See the RCVS website for more information.
Information on this can be found on our CPD page. The British Veterinary Association also has a good resource on CPD.
