HCPC Fitness to Practise 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'caution order' in HCPC fitness to practise proceedings?
- A formal censure on a registrant's record for less serious matters, lasting 1–5 years, with no restriction on practice (Correct answer)
- A temporary suspension
- A permanent removal from the register
- A condition requiring supervision of practice
Correct answer: A formal censure on a registrant's record for less serious matters, lasting 1–5 years, with no restriction on practice
A caution order formally censures a registrant but does not restrict their practice. It remains on their public register entry for 1–5 years and must be disclosed in job applications.
Question 2: A registrant is convicted of a serious violent crime outside of work. Must this be reported to the HCPC?
- Yes — registrants must inform the HCPC of any caution or conviction that may be relevant to their fitness to practise (Correct answer)
- Only criminal matters directly involving patients need to be reported
- Criminal matters outside work are private and need not be reported
- Only convictions leading to imprisonment require HCPC notification
Correct answer: Yes — registrants must inform the HCPC of any caution or conviction that may be relevant to their fitness to practise
HCPC registrants are obliged to notify the HCPC of any criminal conviction or police caution that may be relevant to their fitness to practise, regardless of whether it occurred at work.
Question 3: What is 'remediation' in the context of HCPC fitness to practise?
- Steps taken by a registrant to address and correct the concerns that led to an FTP referral (Correct answer)
- The process of removing a registrant from the register
- A fine imposed by an FTP panel
- A formal police caution
Correct answer: Steps taken by a registrant to address and correct the concerns that led to an FTP referral
Remediation involves a registrant taking specific, demonstrable steps to address the failings or concerns identified in FTP proceedings — such as additional training, supervision, or reflective learning.
Question 4: Under HCPC rules, what is the purpose of fitness to practise proceedings?
- To protect the public and maintain public confidence in the profession — not primarily to punish the registrant (Correct answer)
- To punish registrants who make mistakes
- To award compensation to patients
- To determine civil liability
Correct answer: To protect the public and maintain public confidence in the profession — not primarily to punish the registrant
HCPC FTP proceedings are forward-looking and protective in purpose: their goal is to protect the public and uphold confidence in the profession, not to punish registrants as an end in itself.
Question 5: What happens to a registrant's name and FTP outcome on the HCPC register?
- Cautions, conditions, and suspension orders are publicly visible on the online register; struck-off registrants are removed (Correct answer)
- All FTP outcomes are confidential and not publicly disclosed
- Only serious sanctions are made public
- The register only shows current registration status with no history
Correct answer: Cautions, conditions, and suspension orders are publicly visible on the online register; struck-off registrants are removed
HCPC maintains a public register. Active sanctions (caution, conditions, suspension) are displayed against registrants' entries. Struck-off registrants are removed from the register, which is itself publicly searchable.
Question 6: A registrant under HCPC FTP investigation should:
- Cooperate fully with the investigation, obtain professional and legal advice, and continue to meet their obligations to patients (Correct answer)
- Ignore HCPC correspondence
- Immediately resign from their post
- Ask their employer to handle all communications with HCPC on their behalf
Correct answer: Cooperate fully with the investigation, obtain professional and legal advice, and continue to meet their obligations to patients
HCPC requires full cooperation during FTP investigations. Registrants should engage with the process, seek union or legal support, and continue providing safe care unless suspended by an interim order.
HCPC Fitness to Practise 2
What is a 'caution order' in HCPC fitness to practise proceedings?