HCPC Defence Services
Specialist HCPC Legal Advice & Representation with a Personal Approach
I am a specialist barrister and a former Head of Investigations at a major healthcare regulator. I’m also a former healthcare professional.
I provide clear, practical and affordable legal advice and representation to professionals regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
As a direct access barrister, you can instruct me directly, without a solicitor, which can help reduce your legal costs and save you money.
My focus is on protecting your registration, using my extensive experience to provide you with straightforward advice in order to obtain the best possible outcome for you. I am able to advise remotely by video conference and assist HCPC registrants throughout the whole of the UK.
Get in touch today and book your Free Initial Consultation.
HCPC Defence Services
Areas of Support
- Advice on HCPC investigations
- Representation at HCPC final hearings
- Representation at interim order hearings
- Appeals and reviews
- Regulatory advice at any stage of the HCPC process
- Guidance on employer referrals
- Guidance on making a self-referral
When to Seek Specialist HCPC Legal Advice
You should consider obtaining specialist legal advice as soon as you become aware that a referral has been made to the HCPC.
It is particularly important to obtain advice before providing a written response to the allegations or concerns that have been raised.
The approach taken to the referral is so important and can often determine the outcome of the case. Taking the wrong approach can even have a detrimental impact.
Every case is different, and there may be opportunities to resolve a complaint early on and without the need for a hearing.
That is why getting specialist advice at the earliest opportunity can be so important – it enables a clear understanding of the situation to be obtained and informed decisions to be made. The sooner advice is obtained, the sooner it can be acted upon.
Common Situations
- You have received notice of an HCPC investigation
- Your employer has referred you to the HCPC
- A patient, service user or other third party has referred you to the HCPC
- You are considering making a self-referral to the HCPC
- You are asked by the HCPC to provide a response
- You are asked to attend an HCPC hearing
- You are notified of an interim order hearing
- You are considering appealing an HCPC decision
How I Support HCPC Registrants
Each case is different. Facing regulatory proceedings can be stressful, and your professional registration, reputation and livelihood may be at risk. My approach is informed by extensive experience of HCPC proceedings. My focus is on protecting your registration, using my extensive experience to guide you with straight forward practical advice to enable you to secure the best possible outcome.
What I Do
- Review HCPC documentation, provide clarity and advise on options
- Advise on written responses
- Prepare written responses
- Advise on the approach and preparatory steps required
- Provide representation at HCPC hearings
- Advise on reviews and appeals
Professionals Regulated by the HCPC
- Arts therapists
- Biomedical scientists
- Chiropodists and podiatrists
- Clinical scientists
- Dietitians
- Hearing aid dispensers
- Occupational therapists
- Operating department practitioners
- Orthoptists
- Paramedics
- Physiotherapists
- Practitioner psychologists
- Prosthetists and orthotists
- Radiographers
- Speech and language therapists
Why Choose Me?
- Specialist barrister with extensive HCPC experience
- Affordable specialist advice and representation
- Former healthcare practitioner
- Former head of investigations at a healthcare regulator
- All fees fixed in advance
- Direct Access barrister – a service that can reduce legal costs
- Speak directly with me, not multiple individuals
- Support for HCPC registrants throughout the UK
- Remote consultations
If you are facing HCPC proceedings contact me directly today for affordable specialist legal advice and representation.
To find out more, get in touch today and book your Free Consultation. Get a barrister beside you.
Frequently Asked Questions About HCPC Investigations
What is an HCPC fitness to practise investigation?
The HCPC regulates a range of health and care professions. Where concerns are raised about a registrant’s fitness to practise, the HCPC may investigate whether those concerns require regulatory action.
Allegations may relate to professional conduct, competence, health, criminal convictions or other circumstances that could affect a registrant’s fitness to practise.
Getting specialist legal advice can help you understand the allegations, the regulatory process and help you make an informed decision on how best to respond.
Do I need legal representation for an HCPC investigation or HCPC hearing?
There is no requirement to have legal representation. However, obtaining specialist advice is strongly recommended. This is because decisions made at a hearing can significantly impact on a registrant’s ability to practise as well as their personal and professional reputation.
Obtaining specialist advice can help ensure that your case is being dealt with fairly.
Obtaining advice on the allegations and evidence, can assist you in obtaining a clear understanding about your situation, and the best approach to take.
Representation at the hearing will mean that there is somebody to speak on your behalf and ensure that your position is clearly presented to the hearing panel. It will also enable the HCPC’s case to be effectively challenged where it is not agreed with.
When should I seek legal advice about an HCPC referral?
It is usually preferable to obtain advice as early as possible within the proceedings, and it is strongly recommended that specialist advice is sought before submitting a response to allegations.
Early advice can enable a registrant to obtain a clear understanding of their position right from the outset and to make informed decisions in respect of their case.
There may be potential opportunities across the life of the case to resolve the complaint or even close the case. By getting early advice such opportunities will be less likely to be missed. The sooner advice is obtained, the sooner it can be acted upon.
What happens at an HCPC fitness to practise hearing?
A hearing panel considers the allegations and evidence before it in order to determine whether a registrant’s fitness to practise is impaired.
A registrant is entitled to be present and represented at that hearing however if a registrant is not present or represented the hearing panel has the discretion to proceed with a hearing in the absence of the registrant.
At the start of the hearing preliminary matters may be considered by the panel. Once determined, the allegations will be read out and the Chair of the panel will ask whether a registrant admits any of the allegations.
The HCPC presenting officer will usually outline the background to the case, and may call witnesses in support of the HCPC case.
Where witnesses are called, there will usually be the opportunity for questions to be asked of those witnesses.
Once the HCPC has concluded its case, a registrant may then choose to give evidence and similarly where evidence is given, both the HCPC and the panel may then ask questions of the registrant.
At the hearing the panel will usually need to determine the factual allegations (where disputed), the grounds of impairment, as well as the sanction (unless the allegations or grounds of impairment have not been established).
If impairment is found, the panel will consider what, if any sanction is appropriate.
Specialist representation can help ensure that the defence case is clearly presented to the panel. It will also enable the HCPC’s case to be effectively challenged where it is not agreed with.
Can I continue working during an HCPC investigation?
An HCPC registrant can usually continue to work without restriction unless an interim order is imposed that restricts or interimly suspends practice.
What is an HCPC interim order hearing?
An interim order hearing may be scheduled where the HCPC believes restrictions need to be imposed while the substantive fitness to practise case is being investigated and before the case is determined.
At the interim order hearing a panel will determine whether an interim order should be imposed and if so, the form of that interim order.
An interim order can be made on any one or more of the following grounds – that it is necessary to protect the public, that it is otherwise in the public interest and/or that it is in the interests of the registrant.
Where imposed, an interim order will be subject to a review at subsequent hearings. The interim order proceedings take place in parallel with the main HCPC investigation.
Getting specialist legal advice and representation in relation to interim order proceedings can enable an HCPC registrant to better understand their position and determine the approach they wish to take at the interim order hearing. Getting specialist representation will also mean that a registrant has someone to speak on their behalf at the hearing and to set out their position to the panel.
What sanctions can an HCPC Conduct and Competence Panel impose at a final hearing?
Where a panel determines that a registrant’s fitness to practise is currently impaired, a range of outcomes may be available depending upon the circumstances and seriousness of the case.
The sanction imposed could impact upon a registrant’s ability to practise and for the most serious cases could mean removal of the registrant’s name from the Register. It is therefore particularly important that relevant evidence is properly presented and relevant arguments are properly made. Obtaining specialist representation also enables the HCPC’s case to be effectively challenged where it is not agreed with.
Can I instruct a barrister directly for an HCPC case?
Yes. As a Direct Access barrister, I can be instructed directly by a registrant without the need to instruct a solicitor first.
Most cases are likely to be suitable for the Direct Access scheme – the direct access scheme enables a registrant to deal directly with the barrister advising and representing them and can reduce legal costs as it means paying for a barrister only instead of a barrister and a solicitor.
Where a case is not suitable for the direct access scheme for example because of its complexity I will confirm this and be able to make recommendations for the instruction of a solicitor.
Do you represent HCPC professionals throughout the UK?
Yes. I provide specialist professional regulatory advice and representation to HCPC registered healthcare professionals throughout the UK.
Consultations can be undertaken remotely by video conference. I am also able to provide representation at the hearing itself whether it is scheduled as a remote hearing or scheduled as an in-person hearing.
My Experience & Professional Background
I have specialised in professional regulation and professional disciplinary law since qualifying as a barrister in 2009.
Prior to being called to the Bar, I was a qualified healthcare practitioner. My background, combined with my experience as a specialist professional regulatory barrister, gives me a good understanding of the professional and personal difficulties healthcare professionals can face as well as an excellent insight into how the regulator is likely to approach a case.
I advise HCPC professionals at all stages of regulatory proceedings, providing straightforward and practical advice focused on protecting their professional position and achieving the best possible outcome.
As a Direct Access barrister, you can instruct me without first going through a solicitor, potentially reducing your overall legal costs. Instructing me also means that you will speak directly with me and not to multiple individuals.
What to Expect When You Contact Me
A clear 3-stage Process
- Contact me directly today
- Free initial consultation is scheduled
- A no-obligation fixed-fee quotation is provided to you.
Legal Areas Covered
Areas of Law
- Regulatory law for HCPC registered professionals
- Hearing representation for HCPC registered professionals
- HCPC Professional disciplinary defence
- FTP rules and procedures
- HCPC fitness to practise law
If you are facing HCPC proceedings contact me directly today for affordable specialist legal advice and representation.
To find out more, get in touch today and book your Free Consultation. Get a barrister beside you.
HCPC Defence for Professionals Across The UK
Even if you don’t see your area listed, please reach out, I will be happy to assist you!