Governance in Professional Regulation
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Fitness to practise processes
Understanding fitness to practise processes: a comprehensive course
Online / In Person
Variable
About this course
Find out everything you need to know about fitness to practise processes in this comprehensive course. Learn about the process, requirements and how to navigate it successfully.
Course syllabus
This fitness to practise processes training programme covers the following topics:
- The importance of the public interest.
- Understanding roles at an inquiry panel.
- The role of Legal Assessor and Medical Assessor.
- The significance of the Notice of Inquiry.
- Understanding the difference between factual allegations and grounds.
- The grounds of referral under your governing legislation.
- Judicial review grounds and fair procedures at an inquiry.
- The onus and standard of proof at an inquiry.
- Understanding what will or may be presented before and at the inquiry.
- Case management and call overs.
- Dealing with preliminary applications, such as applications for
privacy/anonymity, adjournments, witness summonses and other applications. - The inquiry procedure.
- The role of the Chair at the inquiry and effective chairing skills.
- What constitutes evidence and understanding how the rules of evidence are
applied. - The difference between witnesses as to fact and expert witnesses.
- Understanding the role and duties of expert witnesses.
- Dealing with undertakings and consents at the inquiry stage.
- The deliberations stage – applying the standard of proof and determining
whether the allegations and grounds are proven beyond reasonable doubt. - Recommending sanctions.
- The importance of reasons.
- Writing the report.
- What happens next – sanctions hearings, the right to appeal, confirmation of
sanctions and publication.
Meet the trainer – Anthony Kennelly
Solicitor, BA, LLM
Anthony is a qualified solicitor and has been a part-time Programme Developer and Trainer with La Touche Training since September 2023. Anthony previously worked at leading commercial law firms and as...
Read BioPractical training with small groups to ensure quality.
Our training sessions are not lectures—they're practical, interactive experiences. The small group format allows every attendee to ask questions, take part in discussions involving practical exercises and role-plays.
This method of training allows attendees to put the skills learned into practice immediately. Course participants benefit from the focused attention and guidance of an independent expert.
Navigating fitness to practise inquiries: what you need to know
FAQs
Fitness to practise processes are formal procedures used by professional regulators and organisations to assess whether a professional is competent, safe and suitable to continue practising in their role. These processes often arise where concerns relate to conduct, competence or health.
This course is suitable for regulatory staff, professional body representatives, investigators, legal advisers, HR professionals, panel members and managers involved in disciplinary, complaints or professional standards procedures.
Fitness to practise procedures help protect the public, maintain professional standards and ensure fairness in the regulation of professionals. They provide a structured framework for addressing concerns about conduct, competence or professional behaviour.
Concerns may arise from allegations of misconduct, poor professional performance or health-related issues affecting practice.
Participants learn about regulatory frameworks, investigation procedures, evidence gathering, fair procedures, report writing, hearing preparation and decision-making in professional disciplinary and regulatory contexts.
Fitness to practise hearings generally involve reviewing evidence, hearing witness testimony and assessing whether concerns about a professional’s conduct or competence are proven.
Depending on the findings, decisions may result in sanctions such as censure, conditions on practice, suspension or even cancellation of registration.
Yes. Fitness to practise principles apply across many regulated professions, including legal, financial, educational and engineering environments where professional standards and public confidence are important.
