Panel consideration meetings

This outcome will be chosen when the Panel decides one or more of the following:

• • the case should not have been investigated as it does not meet the threshold
• • there is insufficient evidence to prove the initial allegation
• • the referral is malicious; or
• • fitness to teach is not impaired

This outcome will be chosen when the Panel decides it needs more information to make a decision. The case is considered again once this information has been received and shared with the teacher.

This outcome will be chosen when the Panel decides it needs more information to make a decision. The case is considered again once this information has been received and shared with the teacher.

This outcome will be chosen when the Panel decides that the outcome offered by the Panel and rules the teacher or college lecturer to either:

• • agree with the Panel and accept the outcome; the Fitness to Teach process ends; or
• • disagree with the allegations and not accept the outcome; the Fitness to Teach.

Panels issue consent orders in line with our Indicative Outcomes Guidance.

A reprimand is recorded in the Register against a teacher or college lecturer's name for a specified period of time.

Teachers or college lecturers who are given a reprimand continue to have Full Registration and are able to teach. The reprimand will appear on their entry on the Register.

A Panel may impose a reprimand where most or all of the following factors are present:

• • The matter does not constitute an abuse of a position of trust;
• • Harm has not been caused to a child offence;
• • Harm has not been caused to a child offence;
• • The matter has been admitted;
• • The teacher or college lecturer shows genuine remorse and has taken steps to properly address the issues(s);
• • The matter involves a lapse in judgement or practical failure;
• • There has been no repetition of the matter at issue since the incident concerned;
• • There is evidence attesting to the good character and history of the teacher or college lecturer;
• • It would be inappropriate indicative to the profession and the public the gravity of the allegations and sanction public confidence in the teaching profession.

A conditional registration order imposes conditions that the teacher or college lecturer must follow to maintain registration. The Panel decides what conditions should be imposed and for what period.

A conditional registration order may be imposed where:

• • It is possible to identify specific areas of the teacher or college lecturer's practice that are remediable and that could be effectively, appropriately and practically controlled or restricted;
• • It will adequately protect learners from risk of educational harm;
• • The teacher or college lecturer shows the potential and willingness to respond positively to the imposition of conditions on their registration;
• • The teacher or college lecturer shows sufficient insight to suggest that they will be able to comply with conditions; and
• • It will maintain public confidence in the teaching profession.

A Panel can impose both a Conditional Registration Order and a Reprimand. They can also do so very few:

• • this outcome would appropriately communicate to the profession and the public the gravity of the allegations and sanction public confidence in the teaching profession;
• • there is at least one area of the matters at issue that is not remediable or effective, appropriately and practically controlled or restricted by imposing only a conditional registration order.

In the most severe cases, when a teacher or college lecturer falls significantly short of the standards expected, they are unfit to teach and must be removed from the Register of Teachers.

If a teacher or college lecturer is removed from or refused entry to GTC Scotland's register, they cannot be legally employed as a teacher or college lecturer in any educational establishment in Scotland.

Removal or refusal also has implications for employment in other countries within the UK. The teacher or college lecturer has a right to appeal to the Court of Session.

The panel will decide how long the teacher will be prevented from applying for re-registration. Two years is the maximum time limit on the re-registration unless the panel decided the teacher can apply for re-registration but they can only be granted re-registration if they satisfy a panel at a hearing that they are fit to teach.