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Fitness to Teach insight report: conduct referrals
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Fitness to Teach insight report: conduct referrals
Fitness to Teach insight report: conduct referrals

The types of conduct cases we see

Types of conduct cases

We identified 12 allegation categories to help us analyse the types of conduct cases considered through our Fitness to Teach process.

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Applying these categories, our analysis has found that the most common types of allegations in our casework are verbal/physical aggression (19%), dishonesty (16%), driving offences (15%), processes/procedures (14%) and inappropriate behaviour/language (12%).

Our analysis has also established that it is common to have more than one allegation category in a case. This aligns with what we have been highlighting as one of the main causes that is making our casework more complex: more allegations are raised in cases which means there is more work involved in them.

Where do referrals come from?

At the same time as looking more deeply at the types of conduct cases we see, we also wanted to look at where referrals come from.

We know from our data over time that employers (mostly local authorities) refer most (30%) of the cases we receive closely followed by members of the public (27%). Teachers refer themselves into the process in 22% of the cases we consider, mostly by telling us about their background as part of applying for registration. Notification from Disclosure Scotland – either contained in the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) certificate (12%) or received when a teacher is placed under consideration for listing as barred from regulated work (4%) – make up the last most common referrer group. Other sources of referral are rarer and include other regulatory bodies, criminal justice agencies and GTC Scotland itself where concerns are identified by us directly from information that we receive.

We have looked more closely at the profile of members of the public who make referrals to us as we know this is a diverse group and we want to understand it better.

Our analysis confirmed that over half (57%) of the members of the public who make referrals are parents, grandparents or carers of learners. Colleagues account for 10% of the member of the public referrals we received. Twenty-five percent of member of the public referrals are made anonymously or by individuals where it is unclear what their connection to the case is. Learners or former learners account for 3% of the referrals we received. Neighbours or individuals personally connected to a teacher account for 4% of the referrals we received.

Types of conduct cases

We identified 12 allegation categories to help us analyse the types of conduct cases considered through our Fitness to Teach process.

{{highlight-01}}

Applying these categories, our analysis has found that the most common types of allegations in our casework are verbal/physical aggression (19%), dishonesty (16%), driving offences (15%), processes/procedures (14%) and inappropriate behaviour/language (12%).

Our analysis has also established that it is common to have more than one allegation category in a case. This aligns with what we have been highlighting as one of the main causes that is making our casework more complex: more allegations are raised in cases which means there is more work involved in them.

Where do referrals come from?

At the same time as looking more deeply at the types of conduct cases we see, we also wanted to look at where referrals come from.

We know from our data over time that employers (mostly local authorities) refer most (30%) of the cases we receive closely followed by members of the public (27%). Teachers refer themselves into the process in 22% of the cases we consider, mostly by telling us about their background as part of applying for registration. Notification from Disclosure Scotland – either contained in the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) certificate (12%) or received when a teacher is placed under consideration for listing as barred from regulated work (4%) – make up the last most common referrer group. Other sources of referral are rarer and include other regulatory bodies, criminal justice agencies and GTC Scotland itself where concerns are identified by us directly from information that we receive.

We have looked more closely at the profile of members of the public who make referrals to us as we know this is a diverse group and we want to understand it better.

Our analysis confirmed that over half (57%) of the members of the public who make referrals are parents, grandparents or carers of learners. Colleagues account for 10% of the member of the public referrals we received. Twenty-five percent of member of the public referrals are made anonymously or by individuals where it is unclear what their connection to the case is. Learners or former learners account for 3% of the referrals we received. Neighbours or individuals personally connected to a teacher account for 4% of the referrals we received.

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  1. Alcohol/drugs – an allegation that includes inappropriate use or purchase of alcohol or drugs, including attendance at work under the influence. This does not include drink driving offences.
  2. Bullying/discrimination – an allegation that includes reference to bullying or discriminatory behaviours inside and outside the professional setting.
  3. Child abuse/neglect – an allegation that includes reference to any form of child abuse or neglect. This does not include allegations of verbal or physical aggression within a professional setting.
  4. Child/adult safeguarding – an allegation referring to placing a child or vulnerable adult at risk.
  5. Dishonesty – an allegation relating to misrepresentation, misleading or withholding of information. It also includes criminal allegations such as fraud.
  6. Driving offence – an allegation relating to a driving offence, including drink driving.
  7. Inadequate learner care/support – an allegation relating to failures to provide adequate levels of care or education.
  8. Inappropriate behaviour/language – an allegation relating to inappropriate behaviour or language both within and outwith professional settings, including inappropriate public expression of views (for example, through social media). This does not include allegations of inappropriate relationships.
  9. Inappropriate relationships – an allegation relating to improper contact or relationships both within and outwith professional settings with learners or children.
  10. Processes/procedures – an allegation relating to failures to follow correct processes or procedures. This includes breaching confidentiality, failures to follow child/vulnerable adult protection and safeguarding processes, as well as failures to follow examination procedures.
  11. Verbal/physical aggression – an allegation relating to any form of verbal or physical aggression or assault, including failings related to safe handling of learners. This also includes criminal allegations and behaviours beyond a professional setting, including domestic abuse.
  12. Other – an allegation that does not fit into the themed categories.
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Contents
1
Introduction
2
The types of conduct cases we see
3
What happens to the allegations received?
4
Allegation categories profiled in more detail
Next steps
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1
Introduction
2
The types of conduct cases we see
3
What happens to the allegations received?
4
Allegation categories profiled in more detail
5
Next steps
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