What to expect at an HCPC Conduct and Competence Committee hearing, how hearings are conducted, what evidence is considered, the sanctions available, and how to prepare.
An HCPC Conduct and Competence Committee hearing is the formal public hearing stage in HCPC fitness to practise proceedings. Understanding what happens and how to prepare significantly influences the outcome.
The formal stage where, following investigation and case examiner review, the HCPC Conduct and Competence Committee determines whether a registrant's fitness to practise is impaired and what sanction is appropriate.
HCPC hearings are held in public. The outcome is publicly recorded on the HCPC register. Many cases resolve at case examiner stage through agreed outcomes, so a hearing is not automatic. The guide to HCPC case examiners covers the stage before a hearing is required.
HCPC hearings follow three distinct stages: facts, impairment, and sanction. The panel includes HCPC-appointed members including a registrant from the relevant profession and lay members.
The HCPC's presenting officer presents the case. The registrant, who should always be legally represented, responds through their legal representative. Evidence is heard, witnesses may be called, and legal submissions are made at each stage.
The complete investigation evidence; the registrant's submissions and witnesses; and the complete remediation evidence file. CPD certificates with specific reflective notes, the reflective statement demonstrating genuine insight, supervisor or peer reports, and the personal development plan all form part of this file.
The quality of the remediation evidence directly influences the impairment and sanction assessments. The guide to HCPC insight and remediation evidence covers how to build the most compelling file.
The guide to HCPC CPD evidence explains which courses carry most weight.
CPD Certified, Online, Immediate Access
Where fitness to practise is found impaired: a caution order; conditions of practice; suspension; or striking off. The full implications are in the HCPC sanctions guide.
The committee must impose the least restrictive sanction that adequately protects the public. Strong remediation evidence consistently supports more proportionate outcomes.
To prepare: instruct specialist legal representation from your professional body or an HCPC specialist solicitor well in advance; ensure the complete remediation file is comprehensive; review all disclosed evidence with your legal representative; and prepare your personal statement with complete consistency.
The guide to HCPC striking off and restoration covers the most serious possible outcome.
UK-registered HCPC professionals can access ethics training through Healthcare Ethics Courses.
Professionals with connections to Canada can consult professional development in Canada.
Those with connections to Ireland can review ethics training in Ireland.
10 CPD-certified courses for £500. HCPC-specific CPD completed and presented with reflective notes before a hearing is among the most persuasive remediation evidence available.
Bulk Buy 10 Courses →The formal public hearing stage where the HCPC CCC determines whether fitness to practise is impaired and what sanction is appropriate.
Yes. The outcome is publicly recorded on the HCPC register.
Facts first, then impairment, then sanction, three distinct stages.
Caution order, conditions of practice, suspension, or striking off.
Investigation evidence, the registrant's submissions and witnesses, and the complete remediation evidence file.
Yes. Strong specific remediation evidence consistently leads to more proportionate outcomes.
Yes. Professional body support or a specialist regulatory solicitor. Legal representation is essential.
Yes, to the appropriate court within the appeal timeframe.
Yes. Many resolve at case examiner stage through agreed outcomes.
Complete remediation evidence file, specialist legal representation well in advance, review of all disclosed evidence, and a prepared personal statement.
The CSP for physiotherapists, RCOT for occupational therapists, RCSLT for speech therapists, BDA for dietitians, and specialist regulatory solicitors for all HCPC professions.
HCPC-appointed members including a registrant from the relevant profession and lay members.
Yes. Compelling remediation and insight evidence can support a finding of no current impairment even where facts are proved.
This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Seek independent advice from a specialist regulatory solicitor.
