Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to provide information about how current foundation doctors can apply to transfer their F2 programme from one hospital Trust to another via a local (local as only within the KSS Foundation School region) Intra-foundation Programme Transfer (IFPT) process.
KSSFS covers a large geographical area and has many multi-site trusts as well as 2-year programmes that are linked to different trusts for F1 and F2. As a school, we appreciate that moving trusts for F2 can seem daunting for some foundation doctors, as well as being inconvenient when having to move accommodation etc. However, if you accepted a 2-year programme with prior knowledge that the F2 year was based in a different employing organisation, simply wanting to stay in your current F1 trust does not meet the criteria for an IFPT.
The KSSFS team has worked on re-linking programmes to enable our foundation doctors to remain within the same trust for both foundation years and this will be implemented for the August 2026 FY1 cohort.
The KSSFS IFPT process has been designed to support transfers for current FY1 Resident Doctors (RD) who need to train in a particular geography within KSS and whose individual circumstances have changed since the point of initial application/allocation to a 2-year foundation programme.
The local IFPT process allows current FY1 doctors who are working as part of a two-year programme to apply for a transfer to take effect from the start of their FY2 year in August 2026.
The KSSFS IFPT application form is available HERE
The KSSFS IFPT review panel will meet to review and agree outcomes for all applications received by the local application deadline (as detailed below).
It is recognised that situations will arise outside of both the national IFST and local IFPT processes and relevant application windows, therefore the opportunity to apply for a transfer due to exceptional circumstances throughout the course of the training programme will continue to be available and will be managed by individual Foundation Schools and Deaneries via an Out of Window IFST process. More information on this can be found on the UKFPO website.
General Principles for Local Intra-Foundation Programme Transfers (IFPT)
The Local Intra-Foundation Programme Transfer (IFPT), differs from the UKFPO national Inter-Foundation School Transfers (IFST) process.
The IFPT is a local request to transfer within KSS to a different trust for your F2 year, due to a change in circumstances since applying to Foundation Programme Training. It is not the same as an IFST to transfer to a different Foundation School, and therefore the IFPT is not subject to the same review process or governance as the national IFST process.
However, this local process still uses the same criterion as the national IFST process:
- Criterion 1 – Parent or Legal Guardian
- Criterion 2 – Primary Carer
- Criterion 3 – Health Condition or Disability
- Criterion 4 – Extraordinary Circumstances
Where individuals meet more than one criterion, the onus is on the applicant to decide which one they apply under, as this chosen criterion will be the one that the application is reviewed under by the KSSFS review panel. All applications must include supporting evidence specific to the criterion the applicant is applying under (see UKFPO website for more information).
Foundation doctors who are considering a local IFPT should first discuss this with their local Foundation Training Programme Director (FTPD). All IFPT applications from current FY1 doctors already working in a training programme, are required to have a declaration and supporting signature from the current local (FTPD). The Supporting Signatory document must be submitted via england.kssfoundationenquiries.se@nhs.net at the same time as the IFPT application form is completed and submitted.
Applicants should note that a supporting signature from the local FTPD does not mean that the IFPT application has been approved. The KSSFS IFPT review panel is responsible for outcomes of all local IFPT applications received during the local submission window.
It is important to understand that an approved transfer can only take place if there is a vacancy in the receiving KSS Trust and therefore does not guarantee a specific programme in an employing trust.
Applicants should not contact a potential receiving Trust directly to ask if there are vacancies.
IFPT applications must be submitted to the KSS Foundation School by the deadline. Applicants should read the IFPT Applicant Guidance and IFPT Applicant Timeline carefully before applying.
Process Overview
| Intra-Foundation Programme Transfer Application Timeline 2026 for F2 programmes (beginning August 2026) | ||
| Date(s) | Activity | Who/Role |
| Thursday 05 February 2026 | Application window opens Applicants submit IFPT application form (via MS Forms) and the Supporting Signatory document via email to: england.kssfoundationenquiries.se@nhs.net | Applicants |
| Thursday 26 February 2026 (at 17.00 GMT) | Application window closes for all IFPT applications | Applicants |
| From Tuesday 10 March 2026 | KSSFS IFPT review panel takes place to review all applications | KSS Foundation School |
| Tuesday 24 March 2026 | Applicants notified of IFPT application outcome | KSS Foundation School |
| Ongoing from 24 March 2026 | The process of allocating approved applicants into vacant F2 programmes will be dependent on vacancies arising in KSSFS | KSS Foundation School |
Am I Eligible?
- Current FY1 doctors in training must have had a change in circumstances since the point of initial application to a 2-year foundation programme to be eligible for a transfer. You must be able to demonstrate in your application that a significant change in personal circumstances has occurred that could not have been foreseen at the time of national application to the foundation programme.
- Your change in circumstances must meet one of the national IFST criteria and must be supported by your local FTPD. You must also be able to provide the requested supporting evidence and documentation at the point of application for an IFPT. All supporting documentation must be submitted alongside the application within the local IFPT application window.
- Your IFPT application will not be considered by the KSSFS review panel unless all of the supporting evidence required for the criterion has been provided by the local application deadline.
- Current foundation doctors cannot apply for an IFPT if they are currently on long-term sick leave from their foundation programme (ARCP outcome “Other”).
- Current foundation doctors should note that approval of an IFPT application is subject to being on track to receive (and is subject to receiving) a satisfactory ARCP Outcome 1 (for completion of the F1 year).
- For FY1 applications, ARCP outcomes 3, 5 and Other will also not usually be accepted, except possibly for exceptional circumstances and this will usually only apply to applications which are considered outside of the national process and timeframes and therefore will be considered under the Out of Window IFST guidance.
- FY1 doctors who previously applied for pre-allocation to KSSFS and had their application rejected by the national review panel are not eligible to apply for an IFPT transfer under the same set of circumstances. However, if the circumstances from when the pre-allocation application was submitted has since changed, then an IFPT application can be considered.
- If an applicant has had a national IFST application rejected by the national panel, an IFPT application stating the same circumstances is likely to also be declined by KSSFS.
- All applicants are asked to disclose if they are currently the subject of an employing Trust, General Medical Council (GMC), criminal or any other investigation. If you indicate that you are subject to any of the above, you are required to provide additional information through the Fitness to Practice (FTP) disclosure to support your application (appendix 2). Failure to disclose this information could result in the withdrawal of an application from the process.
Completing the application form and supporting evidence.
It is only possible to submit one application and apply under one criterion. Applicants who believe they meet more than one of the criteria should discuss their circumstances with their FTPD before applying.
Applications must be based on current personal circumstances and cannot be based on expected or anticipated future events. This includes applications based solely on pregnancy.
Applicants can only request a change to one alternative KSS hospital trust.
The applicant must complete all sections of the relevant IFPT application form. Alternative formats will not be accepted.
Applicants who select the wrong criterion for their IFST application may have their application rejected for this reason.
The KSSFS IFPT review panel will not contact applicants or supporting signatories for additional/supplementary information. The application process requires that this is all submitted by the local application deadline.
It is expected that all evidence and supporting documentation is recent and therefore evidences the recent change in circumstances. Therefore, evidence, statements, proof of address and signatures must be dated after commencement of the foundation programme. (i.e. on or after the August start date).
The applicant’s home address which they provide on their application form must be in the region of the KSS hospital trust that they have applied to transfer to and must match the applicant’s proof of address which is provided as supporting evidence.
Proof of address must be in the applicant’s full name.
The list of acceptable documents for proof of address can be found in appendix 1. Other types of documentation may be rejected by the IFPT review panel.
For the application process to remain consistent and fair, the transfer process must operate in accordance with the published timescales. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Approved transfers
Applicants should note that it might not be possible for a transfer to take place, if there are no places available in the receiving KSS hospital trust.
Applicants are applying for an IFPT due to changes in their circumstance which make it impossible to manage their training and their circumstances in their current allocated location. It is therefore expected that an applicant will take up any programme offered to them by the receiving school.
If an applicant decides not to take up the offered programme, the IFPT application will be terminated, and the applicant will be expected to stay in their current employing trust/ FY2 programme.
Applicants must provide notice to their current/allocated employing organisation once a transfer has been finalised and they have been allocated to a new programme and employing organisation.
Less Than Full-Time (LTFT) Training
An applicant’s current less than full-time (LTFT) status cannot be guaranteed and an application to work LTFT will need to be submitted to the new employing trust before transfers can be finalised.
A foundation doctor who is currently working LTFT will still be considered for a transfer to a full-time vacancy should one arise. The foundation doctor will be expected to follow local procedures and fulfil the requirements necessary to work LTFT in the receiving trust. This may require submitting a new application for LTFT.
Visas and sponsorship
If you apply for an IFPT and your application is successful (and you have been allocated a programme in a new employing organisation within KSS) you would need to notify your current sponsorship team for England and let them know about your change in location. The details of the sponsorship will need to be updated with the new employment and training details.
Contact details for the sponsorship teams in each of the four nations can be found on this webpage.
KSSFS review panel
The KSSFS IFPT review panel will consider all local IFPT applications. The panel will comprise of the KSS Foundation School Director, the KSS Deputy Foundation School Director, the KSS Foundation School Manager, and a Postgraduate Associate/Locality Dean.
The purpose of the review panel is to determine if the applicants meet the requirements for a transfer in accordance with the IFST criteria. Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application within ten working days of the panel review date.
If an application is approved, KSSFS will work to identify a suitable programme to allocate to the successful IFPT applicant (subject to vacancies).
If the panel does not approve an application for an IFPT, the applicant will be notified of the reason(s) why the application has not been approved.
Appeal Process
As the KSSFS local Intra-Foundation Programme Transfers (IFPT), differs from the UKFPO national Inter-Foundation School Transfers (IFST) process and is not subject to the same review process or governance, there is no right to appeal and the KSSFS review panel’s decision is final.
Appendices
APPENDIX 1 – Acceptable evidence for proof of current address
Documentation which does not meet the below requirements will not be accepted by the local review panel, and the IFPT application is likely to be rejected. Statements that can be printed off at home from accounts online, such as bank statements or utility bills, are acceptable.
The KSSFS will accept the following documents as proof of address:
The document must:
- be in the applicant’s full name (first name and surname) and not solely in somebody else’s name. If your name is shown as an initial for your first name, and then your surname in full, this is permitted.
- If the document is addressed to both the applicant and to the other account holder (e.g. partner) and is therefore in both names, this is permitted (if it also meets all of the other criteria explained in this guide)
The following types of evidence will be accepted as per the below timeframes:
- Utility bill (gas, electricity, water, satellite television, landline phone bill, internet provider)
- Current UK driving licence (full and provisional accepted)
- Bank, Building Society or Credit Union statement or passbook.
- Solicitors letter confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation of address.
- Council or housing association rent card or tenancy agreement
- Benefit book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency/child benefit.
- NHS Medical card
- Letter of confirmation from GP’s practice of registration with the surgery
The proof of address evidence must be dated/issued after commencement of the foundation programme. (i.e. on or after the August start date).
The following types of evidence will be accepted if they are as per the below timeframe:
- Annual local authority council tax bill
- Annual mortgage statement (original) from a recognised lender
- Annual HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand
- Electoral Register entry
- Annual TV licence letter
- Student loan/finance letter
The proof of address evidence must be dated/issued as per below:
- The proof of address must be dated/issued within the last 12 months prior to the close of the 2026 IFPT application window (refer to IFPT application timeline for the application closing date).
Documents we will not accept include, but are not limited to:
- Mobile phone bills
- Credit card statements.
APPENDIX 2 – Fitness to Practice (FTP) Disclosure
An applicant’s current/allocated employing organisation is required to inform a receiving employing organisation of any applicant who has a positive fitness to practice declaration. This is to ensure the employing organisation is aware of the circumstances and can provide additional support or adjustments for the doctor during their training programme.
Current Foundation doctors in training
Foundation doctors should declare any fitness to practice issues to their allocated foundation school, by sending an email directly to the Foundation School Director and/or Foundation School Manager. This information should also be provided in your Form R on your ePortfolio.
Foundation schools may decide to reject an application for an inbound IFST due to a positive fitness to practice declaration. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The sharing of information between KSS Hospital Trusts will be done so in accordance with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) rules. Information regarding fitness to practice issues will be shared with relevant parties at the receiving employing organisation on a need-to-know basis only.