Managing complex trainee cases can be one of the most challenging aspects of delivering Initial Teacher Training.
Trainees are primarily students yet they are expected to meet professional standards similar to those of employed teachers without holding the same legal rights or responsibilities. When issues arise, there are often multiple organisations involved, including the SCITT, placement school(s), and the PCGE awarding HEI. This can make handling complaints, disciplinary matters, and fitness to practise concerns particularly complex.
We are aware that members sometimes need access to additional, specialist expertise in these situations. We are therefore sharing details of two highly experienced independent advisers who are available to support providers in these cases.
Accessing support
We offer expert support and guidance for complex cases involving:
- Trainee misconduct
- Trainee fitness to practise
- Complaints about trainees
- Issues arising in placement schools
- Issues arising between a SCITT and an awarding HEI
- Other complex casework issues
| We can advise on: | What we won’t do |
| How to interpret OIA’s Good Practice Framework in a particular context or scenario | Deal with a complaint to the OIA for you |
| Whether changes should be made to policies or procedures | Redraft procedures or policies |
| How to manage disciplinary matters, fitness to practise/professional standards issues, grievances, and complaints about trainees | Carry out investigations or manage processes for you |
| Support for study issues | Make an assessment of a trainee’s reasonable adjustments |
| General human resources issues | Give legal advice on an employee’s rights |
Costs
Felicity and Paul are available to work directly with providers on a paid, hourly basis:
- Felicity Mitchell: £140 per hour
- Paul Neville: from £120 per hour (depending on the nature of the work)
If you would like to explore this support, you can contact them directly using the details provided below.
Who we are
Felicity Mitchell qualified as a barrister and is currently an independent consultant working mainly in the ombudsman sector. From 2018 to 2023, she was Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education at the OIA, the ombuds scheme for higher education students in England and Wales. As Independent Adjudicator, Felicity led the OIA’s case-handling and outreach functions, including the development of the Good Practice Framework. She worked at the OIA for 19 years in various case-handling roles.
Felicity is a member of the Church of England Safeguarding Structures Programme, a board which strategic oversight and responsibility for delivering safeguarding reform for the Church of England. She co-chairs the Programme’s Policy and Assurance Advisory Group. Felicity sits on the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ Advisory Panel, a non‑statutory forum whose main role is to support the Ombudsman in providing leadership and good governance. She is the Independent Reviewer of Service Complaints for the Housing Ombudsman. Felicity is also an external member of the Academic Board of the University of Law. She volunteers for a local debt counselling charity.
Paul Neville is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). He is a senior human resources and organisational development leader and NED/Trustee. Passionate about helping individuals, organisations, citizens and societies flourish and realise their full potential.
Paul helped transform the Housing Ombudsman Service to be more strategic and outcomes-focused, delivering improved services to tenants and member landlords. Employee engagement increased to 80 per cent on a 94 per cent response rate through the introduction of contemporary HR and OD practices, including strengths-based leadership and talent management.
Paul gained HR and OD experience across a diverse range of sectors including IT consultancy, learning video production/instructional design, public administration, social housing and arts higher education.
Disclaimer
NASBTT is sharing this information for awareness only. Any engagement with external advisers is a matter for individual providers, and NASBTT is not responsible for any advice given or work undertaken. This support does not constitute legal advice, and providers remain responsible for their own policies, decisions, and case management.