Brief overview of the Fitness to Practise policy
This policy and procedure set out how the University deals with cases where concerns arise relating to a student’s suitability for professional registration and practice.
The University has a particular responsibility in respect of students who will graduate with academic awards. This also confers the right to apply for professional qualifications and registration with a professional body.
The University will be guided by the professional standards and guidance provided by relevant professional bodies, where applicable, and by its statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010.
For full details of this policy, see Section 29 of the Code of Practise for Assessment.
As well as, or in addition to, this procedure, the University’s:
- Student Disciplinary Procedure and/or
- ‘Support to Study’ procedure
may be used, where appropriate (refer to section 26). The ‘Fitness to Study Policy’ may be relevant (refer to Section 28).
Reasons why a student’s fitness to practise may be called into question
The following (as examples) may call a student’s suitability into question:
- Alcohol, drug, or substance abuse.
- Inappropriate behaviour including harassment, abuse of others, violence or threats of violence, indecency, drug-dealing and unprofessional behaviour.
- Conviction for a criminal offence where the offence is such as to render the student unfit to practise and/or would be unacceptable to a professional body. Such offences would include offences of violence against a person.
- Concerns about a student’s fitness to work which, in the opinion of an occupational health practitioner, would raise doubts about suitability for the intended profession or calling.
- Ethical or behavioural misdemeanours.
Fitness to Practise procedures
A student who is aware of any reason which may render themselves unfit to practise should report the matter to:
- the Head/Dean of School, or
- nominated representative, or
- the designated officer (someone responsible for dealing with matters of fitness to practise).
Any member of staff who believes that a student has an issue which may raise questions of fitness to practise should also inform:
- the Head/Dean of School, or
- nominated representative, or
- the designated officer.
The student will be invited for an interview and will be given 3 working days’ notice of any interview.
The student should expect to receive an invitation from the Programme Administration and Support Service (PASS) team by email to their University account mailbox.
The student may choose to be accompanied by a supporter at the meeting, as defined in Section 2.1.11 of the Code of Practice for Assessment.
A minute taker will be present.
For more information on the potential outcomes of this interview and appeal procedures, please refer to Section 29 of the Code of Practice for Assessment.