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Every University in the UK with students who are studying on a professionally recognised qualification, for example, teacher training, social work and midwifery, have Fitness to Practise Policy in place to ensure that their students to meet the standards set out by the professional bodies (e.g. Nursing Midwifery Council, Department for Education, Health Care and Professions Council) of the associated industries.  The objective of this procedure is to safeguard all parties involved (student, university, practice-users) and to support the student to develop in their studies.    This policy is only applied if the University receives a concern about a student that raises issues about their fitness to practise in line with the professional codes of conduct and behaviour set by their professional body. Examples of this could be:   lack of professionalism unwillingness to take advice from professional colleagues professional misconduct inappropriate behaviour   There are 3 ...

Each Faculty manage Stage 1 of this process slightly differently depending on the requirements of their regulatory bodies. Whilst process might be different, they all must be in line with Fitness to Practise Policy.  You would have been told about how the faculty will communicate and practise concerns with you as part of induction. Details will also be on your BREO site. It is useful to find this information and to read it through.   What happens during Stage 1   Firstly, you will be notified about the proceedings.    An experienced academic will then evaluate the concern against the relevant code of conduct for your course. You may be required to have a meeting with the evaluator and/or key university staff members or the partners as part of this process.   Outcomes   If it is concluded that there is no validity to the concern, then no further action is taken. Please note that you will be informed that any recurrence of low-level issues can be retrospectively tracked...

In serious cases, or where you have made little progress against a Stage 1 action plan, a concern may escalate to Stage 2 Fitness to Practise. Here, the Head of School will identify an independent investigating officer who will instigate an investigation.    What happens during the Stage 2 investigation stage?   Firstly, you will be notified about the proceedings.    An investigating officer will interview the key parties involved and obtain further information, documents or reports. This will normally take 20 working days. The investigating officer will complete a report form summarising their findings, and, after consideration of the relevant professional code of conduct, recommend whether the matter should progress to a hearing.    The report form is submitted to the Adjudication team (a university department who are in place to review concerns raised by/or about students) for file, and to the Head of School to determine next steps.    Please note that if the seriousne...

Before the hearing   If a hearing is needed, the Head of School will form a hearing panel which will include a minimum membership of:  A chair who will be a senior member of staff from a different school/department from you, but with a professional background in healthcare, social work or teaching. A representative from the profession you’re studying (with current registration). A member of academic staff from the same profession who has had no or minimal involvement in teaching, assessing or supporting you during your course  A representative or service user authorised by you (if required by the professional body)   No panel member should have any prior involvement with you. In the rare case that a staff team is very small, an exception may be made.   You will be given at least 5 clear working days’ notice to attend. You can also be accompanied by a supporter (this could be a member of Beds SU staff) and you may bring any witnesses. You need to inform the panel coordin...