8. We aim to deal with issues raised under these regulations as quickly as possible whilst recognising the need for thorough investigation. We aim to complete the initial investigation and any formal stage of the process within 45 working days of the concern being raised. It may be reasonable for the process to take longer than 45 working days. In those cases, we will keep you informed about the progress of the investigation, and when it is likely to conclude.

9. Those investigating or adjudicating under these Regulations will do so impartially. All staff involved in a case will respect the confidentiality and information arising from it, and only disclose information as is necessary, for example for the proper investigation of case, for safeguarding reasons, as required by law, or as is required by the relevant professional, regulatory, or statutory body.

10. If you leave the University or take a break in your studies, we reserve the right to complete action under these Regulations if we have already started your break. We reserve the right to pause investigations under this process if you are on a break in study. We also reserve the right to act on allegations which occurred when you were a student for up to six months after you cease to be a student with the University.

11. Where the placement provider informs us that they are no longer prepared to accept you for training because of concerns about fitness to practise, we will confirm to you that you should no longer attend the placement. A decision will be made whether investigation is required under these regulations. If appropriate we may seek to place you back with the placement provider or seek to find you an alternative placement. Delays to attendance on placement may occur pending investigation and conclusion of Fitness to Practise cases. This means the length of time taken to complete your award could increase and there may be implications of this including fees, funding and visa implications.

12. These regulations and procedures do not replace or replicate a criminal process and do not seek to establish whether you have committed a criminal offence. Instead, the process seeks to address any concerns in relation to your fitness to practise. Where an allegation is a criminal offence that is being dealt with by the police and criminal justice system, we will normally wait for the outcome of the police investigation or proceedings before conducting a fitness to practise investigation. If you are convicted of a criminal offence, the role of the fitness to practise panel is to determine whether what you have done impairs your fitness to practise.

13. At all stages of this procedure, you can bring someone with you to any meetings held to support you in presenting your case. This may be a friend, a family member, a support worker or a member of staff from the Advice Centre at the Students' Union. This process does not seek to imitate the legal justice system and should not be adversarial or overly legalistic. You must inform us of the name and position of any accompanying person in advance of a meeting in line with the timescales stipulated in your meeting request. We reserve the right to refuse to permit attendance of the person you choose where there is good reason.

14. At all points of the process, we will consider any relevant reasonable adjustments and additional support as indicated in a Learning contract.

15. We expect all students to act reasonably, honestly, and fairly, and to cooperate and treat the process with respect.

16 We recognise the possibility that an allegation or concern raised relating to fitness to practise may be malicious. Any allegations raised by either a student or member of University staff found to be malicious will be referred to the appropriate University procedure for further consideration in relation to the behaviour and actions of the individual making the allegation.