Induction and Probation Process

Induction

It is a requirement that all new employees commence their employment at UCL with a structured induction. The new starter induction will include:

• Signposting to UCL's on line introduction:
  • Belong at UCL is the online welcome package for new starters. You can choose different elements to create your personalised welcome package.
  • The UCL Welcome Centre, which lets you know what you can expect from your induction to UCL,
  • Welcome App for new staff.
• An orientation tour organied by the Centre Assistant and introduction to the GEE Executive Assistant (Fiona Williamson).
• A health and safety buildings and fire induction run by the Departmental Safety Officer (James Michaels)

Probation

Purpose

UCL has a structured probationary period for all new employees to welcome them to UCL and introduce them to the main duties and responsibilities of their post.  It is a requirement of successful completion of probation for all new staff to complete UCL’s mandatory training programme.

In the case of staff undertaking teaching, the probation process supports a structured training programme for the role within the probationary period.

Objective Setting

It is the responsibility of the line manager to set achievable objectives for the probationary period (see Guidance for setting objectives)

Probation Period

The length of an employee’s probationary period is defined by their job role/grade as follows:

*A minimum of 3 years’ experience of teaching within Higher Education (full time equivalent).

**Proleptic Fellows are treated the same as academic staff for probation purposes, as they will become lecturers at the end of the Fellowship.

Teaching Qualifications (for inexperienced Lecturers and Proleptic Fellows)

Lecturers, Associate Lecturers (Teaching)/ Lecturers (Teaching), and Proleptic Fellows who have little or no experience of teaching in higher education prior to joining UCL, but who teach as part of their role, are expected to complete UCL Arena Two and achieve Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy within their probationary period. Further information is contained in Appendix C

Meetings

In addition to regular one-to-one meetings, 3 formal probationary meetings are to be held at the following intervals:

• First meeting: At the end of the first month of employment.

• Second meeting: At the mid-point of the probationary period (month 3/4/6/12/18). or, for Inexperienced Lecturers, during the 12th month of the probationary period.

• Third Meeting (Inexperienced Lecturers only): End of second year

• Final meeting: At least 4 weeks before the date on which the probationary period ends

The GEE Centre Assistant / Departmental EA will remind line managers when probationary meetings are due.

Professional Teaching Qualifications

Teaching is recognised as an essential function at UCL and it is expected that all academic staff will undertake appropriate professional development and training in teaching methodology and practice.

Lecturers, Associate Lecturers (Teaching)/ Lecturers (Teaching), and Proleptic Fellows who have little or no experience of teaching in higher education prior to joining UCL, but who teach as part of their role, are expected to complete UCL Arena Two and achieve Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy within their probationary period. Further information is contained in Appendix C.

Successful Completion of Probation

Following successful completion of the probationary period an employee will be managed through one-to-one meetings, will be set new or continuing objectives, and be annually appraised.

New objectives should be set (and recorded) with reference to:

• UCL Academic Career Framework (in the case of Research Staff) and

• UCL’s Ways of Working (in the case of Research Technicians and Professional Services Staff)

Further information:

• UCL Probation Policy
• Probation Forms