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Care Council Fitness to Practise: Investigation
Stage 1: triage or initial assessment
Each referral is assessed whether the case is suitable for the Care Council. An investigating officer makes an initial risk assessment which is presented to the Preliminary Proceedings Committee.
Stage 2: Preliminary Proceedings Committee Panels
Panels of the Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) are responsible for considering allegations made to the Care Council about fitness to practise issues. The PPC screen the paper evidence in private to decide whether there is a ‘case to answer’, not whether the allegation is proven. Once it has considered all the available evidence, the PPC panel has a range of powers. It can decide that:
- close the case with no further action taken;
- for protection of the public or public interest, make an interim suspension order;
- refer the case to a panel of the Conduct Committee (CC) in cases about misconduct, lack of competence, convictions determinations by other regulators and decisions to bar a professional; or
- for reasons of ill health (after the PPC takes advice from a Medical Advisor), refer the case to a panel of the Health Committee (HC)
If the matter is adjourned for further investigation, an independent investigation is completed. A report and evidence is provided to the second PPC who then considers whether there is a reasonable prospect of finding misconduct.
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