Fitness to Practice

Students on courses accredited by Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB) are also subject to the professional standards and/or Codes of Conduct issued by the PSRB.

Being fit to practise means having the skills, knowledge, good character and good health to do the job safely and effectively. There are several bodies which manage fitness-to-practice regulations:
 

• The General Teaching Council for Scotland - for student teachers.
• The Scottish Social Services Council - for Social Services students.
• The Nursing and Midwifery Council - for Nursing students.
• The General Optical Council – for Optometry students.
• The General Dental Council – for Oral Health students.
   

The regulations from each of these bodies are designed to protect public service users from malpractice.

Any breach of the Student Code of Conduct or professional standards may be reported directly to the PSRB and/or trigger a Fitness to Practise procedure.

As part of the procedure, the circumstance will be investigated and you should be asked to attend a hearing to discuss the findings. The findings may lead to a student being suspended/withdrawn from their course, dismissed from their job, barred from employment in that profession, and/or a criminal investigation.
 

If you are in this position, please contact the Advice Service at the earliest opportunity to discuss your situation with a Student Adviser who can support, advise and represent you through the process.