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09

Fitness to practice and supporting an underperforming student

Included on this page:


  • Fitness to Practise
  • The Birmingham University Dyslexia toolkit
  • The Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland) resources for Supporting an underperforming student

Fitness to Practise

Addressing a Fitness to Practise concern will depend upon the Fitness to Practise Regulations from the learner’s educational institution. Fitness to practise is acknowledged within the context of deciding if a learner fails to meet the required criteria set within learner’s practice placement documentation.

In most cases educators must contact the learner’s educational institution as a first point of contact for advice regarding next steps. For nurses or midwives contacting the Practice Education Lead (PEL) may be the first step. Educators must document their concerns within the learner’s educational institution's documentation as well as within direct written correspondence to the educational institution.

The flow chart below provides a generic example of how the Fitness to Practise process might look.


Example of Fitness to Practise process:

Icon of a flashing light alarm

Learner gives cause for concern regarding Fitness to practise.

Arrow pointing down

Icon of papers with writing on the front sheet

Educator documents concerns as appropriate and raises concerns with appropriate educational institution tutor.

Arrow pointing down

Icon of hand held up with fingers together

Learner advises of Fitness to Practise concern. Decision made if practice module should continue.

Arrow pointing down

Icon of a file folder with a magnifying glass

Educational institution tutor collates evidence and produces findings in a report (placement documentation can support this).

Arrow pointing down

Icon of a hand cupped underneath a tick and cross

Educational institution makes decision regarding need for Fitness to Practise panel based on evidence/report.

Arrow pointing down

Icon of a shield with a tick on it

Fitness to Practise panel conducted with written confirmation of the outcome shared with the learner.


The Birmingham City University dyslexia toolkit

Further information and practical ideas can be found in the Birmingham City University toolkit Supporting Students with Dyslexia. The toolkit has been designed for use by mentors/assessors/supervisors and students from all health care disciplines, within the placement setting.

It aims  to enable students to achieve and develop within the placement setting by:

  • Providing a brief overview of dyslexia and what it can mean for an individual.
  • Suggesting strategies, some or all of which may be employed by the student.
  • Suggesting strategies, some or all of which may be employed by the mentor/assessor/supervisor in order to enable achievement and development by the student.

Supporting an underperforming student

Supporting reasonable adjustments can facilitate a positive practice-based learning experience where learning objectives are met. If this is not the case the Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland) resource Supporting an underperforming student can provide you with information to consider in support for the learner who is underperforming on placement.

Fitness to practice and supporting an underperforming student