Severity assessment

The purpose of the initial stages of the proceedings is to assess whether the alleged conduct, if proved, would amount to misconduct, gross misconduct or neither.

Regulation 14 provides for the appropriate authority to conduct a severity assessment.

Where it is assessed that the conduct, if proved, would not amount to misconduct or gross misconduct, the appropriate authority must assess whether

1. The conduct, if proved, would amount to practice requiring improvement.
2. The matter should be referred to be dealt with under the Performance Regulations, or
3. It should take no further action.

Where it is assessed that the conduct, if proved, would amount to practice requiring improvement, the matter must be referred to be dealt with under the Reflective Practice Review Process (see below).

The officer concerned should be informed in writing of the outcome where it is decided to take no further action or to refer the matter to be dealt with under the reflective review process of the Performance Regulations as soon as is practicable.

Where it is assessed that the conduct, if proved, would amount to misconduct or gross misconduct, the matter must be investigated.