Facing accusations of professional misconduct or of conduct that could bring the teaching profession into disrepute is very often a career-ending development for many teachers. At Match Solicitors we have an excellent record of representing teachers, challenging the allegations against them in a bid to avoid them being issued with a Prohibition Order which means that they are barred from teaching, either indefinitely or with the opportunity to request a review after the minimum period of two years.
If you have been involved in internal disciplinary proceedings, even if you resign, you may be referred to the NCTL. The NCTL is an executive government agency sponsored by the Department of Education. It was created to improve the standards in education by making sure that the workforce throughout the entire system meet a certain level of quality. Teachers may be referred to the NCTL from a number of sources such as by schools, by parents or by the Disclosure & Barring Service.
What is the process?
First of all, if you as a teacher have been accused of professional misconduct, you have the right to respond to the allegations. The Determinations Team at the NCTL decides whether or not the case should proceed to a Professional Misconduct Panel (‘the Panel’) which results in a full ‘trial’ often including witnesses.
If the case is proceeding to a hearing, you will be contacted by the Presenting Officer who prepares the case to the point of the hearing for the NCTL. You will have advance sight of the evidence pertaining to the allegations made against you so that you can prepare accordingly.
Approximately eight weeks before the hearing date you will receive a Notice of Proceedings from the NCTL which will include details such as the date, time and location of the hearing as well as the allegations made against you, the names of the panellists and NCTL witnesses. There will also be a form for you to complete and return within three weeks which will contain various questions to assist the NCTL and the panel with conducting the hearing.
There is a Response form which will be enclosed with the Notice of Proceedings and which the teacher must complete and return within three weeks. This sets out questions which inform administrative arrangements for the hearing.
How Match can help
Responding to allegations and attending a NCTL hearing can be a very stressful experience and
requires meticulous preparation; this is where Match can help. Our team of expert education lawyers have many years of experience assisting teachers to prepare comprehensively for such hearings.
The best chance you have of successfully defending yourself against any allegations is to make certain your case is prepared to the highest possible level. We can help you with that. Call us today on 020 7353 6881 to discuss your case in confidence.
