Fitness to Practise Hearings Officer Job Profile About the HCPC The Health Professions Council (HCPC) is the regulator of 15 different health and care professions, set up to protect the public. To do this, we keep a register of professionals who meet our standards for their training, professional skills, behaviour and health. The organisation employs around 150 employees, who work in nine departments - Registration; Fitness to Practise; Education; Communications; Policy & Standards; Operations; Human Resources; Finance and IT. About the Fitness to Practise Department The Department is currently made up of 45 members with an anticipated head count of 70 employees by the end of 2012-2013, and is split into three sections Case Management, Adjudication and Assurance & Development. - The Director of Fitness to Practise heads up the Department and is a member of the Executive Management Team (EMT). The Director is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Department - The PA to the Director of Fitness to Practise provides administrative and secretarial support to the Director of Fitness to Practise Case Management - The Head of Case Management reports to the Director of Fitness to Practise and is responsible for the management and leadership of the Case Management function of the Fitness to Practise Directorate - The newly created post of Head of Investigations reports to the Head of Case Management and is responsible for the management and leadership of the Investigations and Administration function of the Fitness to Practise Directorate - The Investigations Manager reports into the newly created post of Head of Investigation and manages and leads the Case Team Managers and Case Support Manager - The newly created post of Case Support Manager reports into the Investigations Manager and manages and leads the Case Support Officers 1
- Case Support Officers report to the newly created post of Case Support Manager and provide case management support to the Case Manager - Case Team Managers report into the Investigation Manager and manage and lead a team of Case Managers - Case Managers report to one of the Case Team Managers and are responsible for the management and investigation and the presentation of fitness to practise cases. There is a case team with specific responsibility for the management of registration appeal cases, prosecution of offences and health and character cases - The Administration Manager reports into the newly created post of Head of Investigations and manages and leads the team of team administrators - The Team Administrators report into the Administration Manager and provide general administrative support to the Department and its employers. The Team Administrators are the first point of contact for queries into the department Adjudication - The Head of Adjudication reports to the Director of Fitness to Practise and is responsible for the management and leadership of the adjudication function of the Fitness to Practise Directorate - The Hearings Manager reports to the Head of Adjudication and manages and leads the Hearings Officers and Lead Hearings Officers. The post holder is also responsible for the delivery of panel member training alongside the Investigations Manager - The Lead Hearings Officer reports to the Hearings Manager and is the main point of contact for queries about the hearings teams work. The post holder also acts coordinator for Investigating Committee Panel meetings Vacancy - The Hearings Officers report to the Hearings Manager and are responsible for the officering of Fitness to Practise hearings and for ensuring appropriate support is provided to all those (and in particular witnesses) who attend hearings - The Scheduling Manager reports into the Head of Adjudication and manages and leads the team of Scheduling Officers - The Scheduling Officers report into the newly created post of Scheduling Manager and are responsible for the scheduling and listing of fitness to practise and registration appeal panel hearings 2
Assurance & Development - The newly created Head of Assurance and Development reports to the Director of Fitness to Practise and is responsible for the management of the fitness to practise quality assurance and planning function - The Quality Compliance Officer reports to the Head of Assurance and Development and is responsible for ensuring compliance with FTP policies and procedures - The Assurance and Development Officer is a newly created role and reports to the Head of Assurance and Development. The post holder is responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of processes to support the work of the department 3
Application & Selection Process Applicants for the Hearings Officer role must complete the HCPC application form in full. Please note: any CVs submitted will not be seen by the panel for the purposes of shortlisting or at an interview. Applicants for the role will be shortlisted by a panel during w/c 24 September 2012 Successful candidates will be invited for an interview on Monday 8 October 2012. Please try to ensure your availability on this day, as it may not be possible for the panel to see you at another time. Completed applications should be sent to: Alternatively they can be posted to: recruitment@hcpc-uk.org Human Resources HCPC Park House 184 Kennington Park Road London SE11 4BU Enquiries should be directed to: HR - 020 7840 9778 The closing date for applications is Thursday 20 September 2012 at 09.00am. 4
Job Description - Hearings Officer Fitness to Practise Department Main Purpose of Job To manage the smooth running of Fitness to Practise hearings and other proceedings and schedule FTP hearings as time allows To manage the behaviours of all parties, both internal and external, at hearings including distressed, vulnerable or abusive individuals To facilitate the hearings process through providing information and advice on procedure and practicalities Position in Organisation Reports to the Hearings Manager Liaises with external lawyers, legal assessors, panel members, registrants, union representatives, witnesses, suppliers and all other relevant external bodies Liaises with all employees internally, in particular Case Managers and the Communications Department Manages registrant and witness behaviour at hearings, particularly those who are distressed, vulnerable or abusive Scope of Job Responsible for proving service of the HCPC notice upon the registrant so the panel can proceed in their absence To officer hearings and ensure health and safety and security requirements are announced and observed Responsible for the accurate and timely maintenance of databases, updating the HCPC register and the public facing website with panel decisions 5
Dimensions and Limits of Authority Able to provide witness support at hearings and in advance of proceedings by telephone and in writing Administer the oath or affirmation before witnesses give evidence Responsible for ensuring the confidentiality of information as required, including facilitating the move from public to private proceedings Monitor application of Part V and VI of the Health and Social Work Professions Order in Hearings and advise the Head of Adjudication or Lead Hearings Officer if any problems arise Responsible for liaising with and supporting Panel Members to plan their work to complete hearings in the scheduled time To provide feedback on issues relating to hearing progression to Hearings Manager and Head of Adjudication as part of continuous quality improvement process Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Essential Educated to degree level and/or relevant knowledge and understanding Demonstrated ability of working with committees or panels within a complex framework and managing tribunal type processes Knowledge and understanding of working within defined regulations and within a procedural framework An understanding of professional regulation or a willingness to develop this if not currently held The ability to learn and understand Part V and VI of the Health and Social Work Professions Order and apply this knowledge as required Ability to communicate and with customers from a diverse range of backgrounds including people who may be vulnerable Sound leadership skills in order to ensure that a hearing runs smoothly, along with the ability to seek advice where appropriate Excellent oral communication skills, including demonstrated ability to present information to others confidently, clearly and succinctly Ability to work under pressure and prioritise work to meet deadlines with minimal supervision 6
Sound working knowledge of window based software packages, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, electronic mail, and the internet Willingness to travel throughout the United Kingdom, involving overnight stays as required Duties and Key Responsibilities Your principal duties and key responsibilities will be those set out below. In addition to those duties, HCPC reserves the right to require you to undertake additional or other duties within your capacity as may from time to time be reasonably required and necessary to meet the needs of the HCPC. Attend and schedule Fitness to Practice Panel Hearings and Registration Appeal Panel Hearings in accordance with specified procedures Act as first point of contact for all parties at FTP hearings Schedule Fitness to Practise Panel Hearings and liase with the Team Administrators, to ensure all requirements are met for Hearings Ensure the smooth running of hearings, including support for vulnerable witnesses with sensitivity and tact Liaise with Case Managers, Fitness to Practise Department to maintain an awareness of any appropriate direction required. Ensure that Case Managers are updated with all relevant case information Undertake follow up work for fitness to practise hearings, including the production of Notice of Decision and Orders Update relevant databases and all other data records and to ensure information entered is done so accurately and within given timescales Keep the Hearings Manager and Head of Adjudication aware of issues occurring that may have an impact on the conduct of a Hearing Update the Communications Department with all relevant information for hearings where there is press interest To carry out the responsibilities of the post with due regard to the HCPC's Diversity Policy and to treat all colleagues and other HCPC stakeholders with respect and dignity at all times Contributing and assisting in projects relating to the Fitness to Practise Department 7