Fitness to practise in higher education — Managing complex risks and regulatory responsibilities

In this webinar, Daniel Purcell, Partner in Bevan Brittan’s Higher Education Team, drew on his experience of supporting major universities across the UK to explore how institutions can safely and fairly manage Fitness to Practise and Fitness to Teach concerns.

Key topics Dan Discussed:

• Understanding the intersection between student discipline and professional regulation
• Managing conflicting roles: balancing investigative functions with pastoral and academic responsibilities
• Navigating cases involving placements, public interest, and safety risks
• Responding to procedural challenges from students
• Meeting disclosure obligations and ensuring fairness in hearings
• Engaging effectively with regulators such as the GMC and the Teaching Regulation Agency
• Developing compliant internal policies, frameworks, and training for institutional resilience

This was the second in our higher education autumn series of Wednesday webinars. Our higher education specialists will be hosting our final session on 22 October.

Click here for further details on our other webinars below:

• Higher Education Pensions Update Autumn 2025
• Managing Employers’ Liability Stress Claims in Higher Education: From Tribunal to Employer’s Liability Claims