Fitness to Teach insight report: conduct referrals

Allegation categories profiled in more detail

Alcohol/drugs allegations

Our analysis has found that a total of 22 cases were considered that involved allegations related to alcohol and/or drugs. Almost half (46%) of these allegations related to use of alcohol or drugs in the workplace or other professional settings. The other half of cases were related to drugs offences.

<span id="es-chart-01" class="table_caption" style="text-align:center; margin: auto; display: block; padding-top: 3.5rem;" fs-test-element="reg-report-title-es-chart-01">Detailed allegation analysis for alcohol/drugs cases 2017 to 2022</span>

Bar chart showing: Alcoholic use in professional setting = 41%, Drug use in professional setting = 5%, Drugs offence – possession/purchase = 36%, Drugs offence – trafficking/importation = 14%, and Inappropriate behaviour – alcoholic use = 5%.

Bullying/discrimination allegations

A total of 62 cases were considered that involved allegations related to bullying and/or discrimination. Just over two-thirds (68%) of bullying and/or discrimination cases related to allegations of behaviours that occurred with colleagues or learners. One-fifth (21%) of cases related to allegations of use of discriminatory language online or on social media.

Bar chart showing: Bullying and/or discriminatory behaviour language towards colleagues = 29%, towards family members = 2%, towards member of public = 5%, towards parent(s)/guardian(s) = 5%, towards learners = 39%, on social media/internet = 21%.

Child abuse/neglect allegations

We considered a total of 38 cases that involved allegations related to child abuse and/or neglect. Almost three-quarters (71%) of child abuse/neglect cases related to some form of sexual misconduct. One-third (34%) of cases related to cases of sexual abuse within a school or professional setting, with a further 3 cases (8%) relating to inappropriate relationships with learners. One-fifth (21%) of these cases related to the possession or making of indecent images of children.

Bar chart showing: Assault of a child = 3%, Child abuse/neglect = 26%, Child sexual abuse – making/possession of indecent images of children = 21%, Child sexual abuse – outwith professional setting = 8% Child sexual abuse – professional/school setting = 34%, and Sexual misconduct – inappropriate relationship with learner(s) = 8%.

Child/adult safeguarding allegations

There were 31 cases considered that involved allegations related to child or vulnerable adult safeguarding. Most (84%) child or vulnerable adult safeguarding cases related to failures to follow safeguarding procedures.

Bar chart showing: Failure to follow child protection/safeguarding procedures = 84%, Putting a child/vulnerable adult at risk = 13%, Sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult = 3%.

Dishonesty allegations

Dishonesty is a common allegation seen in our cases. There were 181 allegations involving dishonesty. Two-thirds (67%) of these related to allegations of misrepresentation of information, provision of misleading information or withholding information.

Bar chart showing: Collusion = 2%, Destruction of property = 1%, Failure to declare criminal charge(s) = 1%, to follow absence policy = 1%, to follow licensing law – 1%, to notify HMRC = 1%, Falsely claim illness = 1%, Falsifying documents = 1%, Fraud/embezzlement/deception = 14%, Misrepresentation/misleading information = 42%, Misuse of council property = 1%, Perverting course of justice = 1%, Plagiarism = 1%, Theft/obtaining services dishonestly = 8%, Unauthorised absence = 1%, Unauthorised access/misuse of information = 1%, Withholding information = 25%, Working without relevant qualifications/registration = 1%.

Driving offence allegations

There were 169 cases that related to driving offences. Almost half (43.8%) of these related to allegations of drink driving. One-fifth (20.7%) were allegations of speeding. Twenty-five (14.8%) cases were allegations of careless or dangerous driving.

Bar chart showing: Careless/dangerous driving = 14.8%, Drink driving = 43.8%, Driving without license/insurance/MOT = 5.3%, Drug driving = 1.2%, Failure to provide breath/urine/blood specimen = 2.4%, Failure to stop/report an accident = 6.5%, Speeding = 20.7%, Unauthorised use of road/failure to comply with signs/seatbelt use = 4.1%, Use of mobile phone while driving = 0.6%, Unclear = 0.6%.

Inadequate learner care/support allegations

Fifty-seven cases related to allegations of inadequate learner care or support. Just over one-third (35%) of these related to allegations of failing to provide an adequate or inclusive learning environment. Just over a quarter (28%) of cases involved general allegations of inadequate learner care.

Bar chart showing: Denied right to education = 2%, Failure to allow learner to access the toilet = 2%, Failure to communicate effectively with colleague(s) = 2%, to communicate with parent(s)/guardian(s) = 25%, to follow timetable/curriculum = 2%, to provide adequate/inclusive learning environment = 35%, to refer to external agency = 2%, General incompetence = 2%, Inadequate learner care/support = 28%, Inappropriate/misleading advice = 2%.

Inappropriate behaviour/language allegations

There were 130 cases considered that involved allegations related to inappropriate behaviour and/or language. Almost half (47%) of these cases involved allegations of inappropriate behaviour and/or language with or towards learners. Almost one-fifth (18%) involved allegations of inappropriate behaviour and/or language with or towards colleagues.

Bar chart showing: Inappropriate behaviour and/or language – personal setting = 5%, on social media/internet = 13%, towards or about parent(s)/guardian(s) = 18%, with or towards learner(s) = 47%, Inappropriate conduct = 1%, Indecent behaviour = 1%, Sexualised behaviour and/or language with or towards learner(s) = 8%, Sexualised behaviour with or towards colleague(s) = 2%, Sexualised/pornographic material = 2%.

Inappropriate relationship(s) allegations

A total of 47 cases involved allegations relating to inappropriate relationships. Almost three-quarters (70%) of these related to allegations of inappropriate relationships with learners or children.

Bar chart showing: Inappropriate personal relationship(s) = 2%, with colleague(s) = 23%, with parent(s)/guardian(s)= 4%, with learner(s)/child(ren) = 70%

Processes/procedures allegations

There were 159 cases considered that involved allegations related to processes and procedures. Just over one-third (35%) of cases related to allegations of failures to follow general policies, processes or protocols. One-fifth (20%) of cases related to breaches in confidentiality and/or data protection law (GDPR), and a further one-fifth (19%) of cases related to failures to follow SQA or examination procedures.

Bar chart showing: Breach of confidentiality/GDPR = 20%, Failure to comply with COVID-19 regulations = 4%, to comply with health and safety regulations = 1%, to follow child protection/safeguarding procedures = 16%, to follow policy/processes/protocols = 35%, to follow SQA/examination procedures = 19%, Inadequate support for colleague(s) = 1%, Incorrect GTC Scotland registration = 1%, Relationship breakdown with colleague(s) = 1%.

Verbal/physical aggression allegations

A total of 210 cases that involved allegations of verbal and/or physical aggression were considered. Almost half (43.8%) of these involved allegations of verbal and/or physical aggression towards learners or children. One-fifth (21.9%) related to allegations of assault or violent behaviour.

Bar chart showing: Assault/violent behaviour = 21.9%, Breach of the peace = 7.6%, Coercive behaviour = 0.5%, Domestic violence/stalking = 5.7%, Drunk and disorderly = 1%, Harrassment of a neighbour = 0.5%, Inappropriate restraint = 1%, Resisting arrest = 1%, Sexual assault = 1%, Threatening/abusive behaviour = 6.7%, Verbal and/or physical aggression towards colleague(s) = 6.2%, Towards a member of the public, Towards parents(s)/guardians = 2.4%, Towards learner(s)/child(ren) = 43.8%