What is fitness to practise?

The faculty will investigate any concerns about a student’s Fitness for Registration and to Practise and will make one of the following decisions:

•  Permit you to continue with the course as there is no case to answer; 

• Permit you to continue with the course with no further action; 

• Permit you to continue with the course with enhanced supervision, support and/or monitoring or remediation which could include a period of interruption and a review before returning; 

• Refer you to a university Fitness to Practise Committee.

At King’s, there are two possible routes of referral to a university level ‘Fitness to Practise Committee’:

1. Misconduct: Where a charge of misconduct is upheld in accordance with the Academic Regulations, the faculty/institute/school may refer the case for consideration by a Fitness to Practise Committee, if they deem this necessary.

2. Other matters which justify referral: Where you demonstrate behaviour and/or health issues which do not constitute misconduct, but which raise concerns for your fitness for registration or practice.

• The faculty/institute/school will investigate the matter and decide whether the case should be referred for consideration by a Fitness to Practise Committee.

Important to know: Where the alleged misconduct could also constitute an offence under the criminal law, the university's procedures may be delayed until the police and/or courts have completed their investigations and proceedings. 

• ​When a Fitness to Practise Committee is convened, you will be notified of this, at least 10 working days’ in advance via email. Alongside the email, you will receive access to the relevant documentation under consideration and the relevant university regulation. 

• You may submit any additional documentation, evidence, and the names of any witnesses no later than 5 working days before your Committee Hearing. 

• The Executive Dean of the Faculty (or nominee) will present the case on behalf of university.

• ​​​​You will be given the opportunity to present your response to the Committee, and the Committee will have questions for both you and your Faculty representative. 

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• Once the Committee have obtained all the information they consider relevant during the Hearing, the Committee will deliberate in private and will determine whether you are fit for registration and practise. If the Committee decide this is not the case, it will either order:​​​​​​

• ​​​​That your registration on the programme be terminated. 

• You undergo medical treatment or other appropriate remedial action, during which you may be suspended. There will be an agreed review date where a further determination will be made as to whether you are fit for registration and practise.