Fitness to Practise Investigating Officer

**bout the role**

The School of Health, Science and Wellbeing educates a range of health and social care professionals on courses that are approved by the regulatory bodies for those professions. Our students go on to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health and Care Professions Council, Social Work England and British Psychological Society amongst others. Our students need to uphold the standards of the relevant professional body during their time at the University, with the ultimate objective being protection of the public.

We are seeking to appoint an Investigating Officer to support our Fitness to Practise work on a part-time, basis. This will be 15 hours per week, but the working pattern can be flexible and we also have a flexible working policy which allows further flexibility.

You will work closely with the Associate Dean - Students and the Regulations and Compliance Advisor as well as others in the School taking on the role of investigating officer. You will conduct formal fitness to practise investigations post-triage, prepare cases for consideration by the Associate Dean Students and present case summaries to Fitness to Practise Panels. You will also work with other investigating officers to offer mentorship support and ensure consistency in approach as well as being involved in training colleagues in the School on Fitness to Practise Procedures.

Previous experience of working in fields related to Fitness to Practise/Regulations and Compliance, mental health or sexual violence liaison would be useful for this post but are not essential.

If you are interested in this unique opportunity and have the passion to support the Health and Social Care Professionals of the future maintain their professional standards and graduate as safe and effective practitioners we would love to hear from you.

**Main Responsibilities**

The main responsibilities for our Fitness to Practise Investigating Officer will be to:

- To conduct enquiries into Fitness to Practise (FTP) concerns referred for investigation
- To obtain written reports, evidence and to interview witnesses as appropriate to cases referred
- To maintain high quality records of all interactions in relation to the case
- To produce case reports in accordance with guidance and make recommendations
- To Correspond by telephone and in writing with members of the public, practice colleagues, students and University colleagues about Fitness to Practise cases
- To support colleagues in the School who may also act as IO’s from time to time
- To develop training materials to support the role of the IO and the raising of an FTP concern for both face to face and online delivery
- To work closely with Students' Union representatives to ensure students appropriately supported throughout the process
- To work closely with regulations and compliance team members administrating FTP cases
- To regularly review changes in professional standards and guidance for FTP processes from professional bodies to identify any changes that may have an impact on our FTP process
- To support the Associate Dean Students in the production of an annual report and action plan on FTP concerns and lead on implementation of the action plan
- To act as a mentor to colleagues and to support the development of less experienced colleagues as appropriate in relation to FTP and ensure a consistent approach across the School.

**Contact For Informal Discussion**

Dr Linda Harty - 01785 353744

**Who is Staffordshire University?**

Staffordshire University is an award-winning institution with over 100 years’ experience in delivering excellent higher education. Our main Stoke-on-Trent campus is located in the heart of the UK, with Centres of Excellence located in the towns of Stafford and Shrewsbury.

After a highly successful year in 2019, which included entering THE World University rankings for the first time, securing TEF Gold, and climbing in all the league tables, our University has constantly expanded its physical presence through new and industry-leading building developments and facilities. Looking towards our 2030 strategy, we are now transforming specific business processes to improve the student experience and integrate a wider feeling of inclusion and safety for our on-campus community.

**Rewards and Benefits**

In return for your dedication we have a competitive benefits package available
- Competitive incremental rates of Pay
- 32 days Annual Leave plus 11 days Bank Holiday and Discretionary days
- Excellent Pension Scheme
- Access to continued professional and personal development
- An opportunity to become part of the wider University community
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounted Health & Fitness Facilities on site at the Stoke Campus

Discounted Travel by Rail or Bus, with the option of season tickets loans

**Job Types**: Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 15 per week

**Salary**: £12,771.00-£14,729.00 per year

Work Location: In