The GTC: Screening and Investigating Allegations
Screening
After a case is received, it is first screened by staff within 48 hours of receipt to determine whether or not it meets a minimum threshold of likely impact on registration. Cases screened out tend to be minor criminal offences and public complaints, but screening also ensures that any case which appears to raise child safety issues is referred immediately to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The teacher may submit representations on the matters referred and be legally represented.
Investigating
If it is decided that a case meets a minimum threshold of likely impact on registration, it goes to an investigating committee of GTC members who meet in private to determine whether there is a case to answer. They will then decide either:
- that there is no case to answer and the matter ends there; or
- that there is a case to answer and the case should go forward to either a professional competence committee or a professional conduct committee.
If there is a case to answer, the case goes forward to a hearing committee – either:
- a professional competence committee, or
- a professional conduct committee.
The GTC post the name and school of the teacher and the committee they are to appear before on their website.
|
