25-26/060

We refer to your request for information (FOI 25-26/060) dated 30 January 2026 which we have handled under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). 

You asked:

“Of the 97 outstanding conduct referrals received more than one year ago,

How many were referred by the employer?

Have they all been initially reviewed/assessed as to what type of further action is required? And if not then how many have?

Have investigations commenced on any of these? (an approximate figure is acceptable)

What causes the delays to completing/closing cases which have been in the system for more than 2 years?  (Any Examples/comments acceptable)

And one final request, of the 189 and 97 cases you refer to, how many of these (respectively) relate to safeguarding and child protection?”

Our response:

We note that you have referenced FOI 25-26/059. Our response should be read in conjunction with that response. Please see our response to your queries below.

Of the 97 referrals, 64 were submitted by employers.

Of the 97 referrals, 97 have been initially reviewed.

Of the 97 referrals, 97 have begun investigations.

We do not hold the information you have requested, as there is no record that answers the reasons behind delays in these investigations. We therefore apply section 17(1)(b) of FOISA to this query on the basis that this information is not held in a recorded format. However, by way of advice and assistance, you might be interested in our insight report which contains general information that may be of interest to you.

This information is exempt from disclosure to you under FOISA, as it is contained in a document that was served on GTC Scotland for the purposes of Fitness to Teach proceedings. Such information is exempt by virtue of section 37(1)(a)(ii) of FOISA. This exemption is not subject to the public interest test under FOISA.

Right to review and appeal:

You may request a review of how we have dealt with this information request if you are dissatisfied with this response. This can be done by contacting us at informationgovernance@gtcs.org.uk, describing your original request and explaining the basis for your dissatisfaction. You have 40 working days from receipt of this response to submit a review request.  

Once the review process has been completed, if you are still dissatisfied, you have 6 months in which you can apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a decision. See the Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance on making an appeal for information about how to do this.