Accessibility during the fitness to practise process
Accessibility during the fitness to practise process
If you are involved in a fitness to practise case, it's important that you can participate fully. This includes being able to (do all of the following):
- read and access all the appropriate documents
- communicate with us (the regulator)
- attend hearings and meetings (when appropriate)
We offer reasonable adjustments to support you through this process.
What are reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are changes to the way we offer our services. These changes make sure that people with disabilities have a fair and equal chance of accessing our services.
Some examples of reasonable adjustments may include (any of the following):
- allowing you to raise a concern over the telephone (rather than in writing)
- providing guidance in a different format (such as in large print, braille, easy-read format, or on coloured paper)
- making adjustments to a hearing (such as allowing someone to give evidence remotely, or take frequent breaks)
- providing a British Sign Language interpreter, electronic note taker, or hearing induction loops
- making sure physical venues for meetings and hearings are accessible
This list does not cover every reasonable adjustment we can offer. If there's a specific adjustment you need that's not listed here, please ask. We'll do our best to accommodate your needs.
Contact us about reasonable adjustments
You can contact us about reasonable adjustments using email or telephone.
- email: enquiries@socialworkengland.org.uk
- telephone (UK): 0114 349 4308
- telephone (outside of the UK): +44 (0) 0114 349 4308
How to request reasonable adjustments (at different stages of the fitness to practise process)
When raising a concern
Read more about the support and adjustments we can make to help you with raising a concern.
During an investigation
Once we have started an investigation, a named investigator will be responsible for that investigation.
The named investigator will write to you. They’ll tell you about their role and what they’ll be doing.
If you need adjustments during an investigation, you should tell the investigator. They will talk to you about what adjustments you might need. They will also explain how we will make these adjustments.
Some investigations progresses beyond our case examination stage. Then, our external legal providers (called Capsticks) will investigate the case.
Capsticks will write to you when they take over the investigation. As above, you can talk to the named case holder at Capsticks about what adjustments you need.
Before or during a hearing
In some cases, we might ask you to come to a hearing. We understand you might need adjustments to help you take part.
There are a few different ways you can ask for adjustments at this stage. You can (do either of the following):
- talk to the named investigator or case holder
- email hearings@socialworkengland.org.uk. The team will talk to you about your needs and make any necessary adjustments