GTCE to review its regulatory equalities practice

last updated:21 Jun 2010

The General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) today announced a review of its regulatory equalities practice. The Council’s Executive Committee has asked colleagues from the Council for Health Care Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) to lead this review, calling upon the expertise of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC); the findings will be made public. The independent review will include scrutiny of the 11 cases involving allegations of racism that have been heard by GTCE professional conduct committees. 

The GTCE wants to ensure that best practice is followed in the conduct of any cases which may come forward for a hearing and that the lessons learned from the review are readily available to any successor body which may be charged in future with the regulation of teacher conduct.

The Maurice Smith Review published in March 2010 charged the GTCE to work with other agencies to strengthen the frameworks in schools which can be used to protect children from extremism. The Council had already planned to conduct an equalities audit of its regulatory work; to provide further training for Members in equalities and diversity, and to ensure that the provisions of the GTCE’s new Code of Conduct and Practice are deployed effectively in its regulatory work. This work was needed to ensure that the GTCE meets its own duties under the new Equality Act both as an employer and as a public body. 

Two events have led the GTCE to bring forward this work as a matter of urgency, and to seek external scrutiny and support for the review.

• The decision of the Professional Conduct Committee in the case of Mr Adam Walker (25 May 2010) has prompted public debate, leading to widespread concerns about the Council’s commitment to combating racism and promoting equality. 
  
• The Secretary of State for Education has announced his intention to introduce primary legislation leading to the abolition of the GTCE.  Whilst that legislation has not yet begun its passage through Parliament, if Royal Assent is secured, the time available for the GTCE to conduct its review may be limited.

Commenting on the review, GTCE Chair Gail Mortimer says:

'I am painfully aware that the reputation of the GTCE, and the credibility of its commitment to combating racism, has been strongly criticised in recent weeks.  Racism blights the lives of too many children and young people so I am determined that the GTCE responds robustly to the task given to us by the Smith Review and makes the best contribution that it can to the task of protecting children from the pernicious effects of racism and of creating a safe and inclusive school environment.'

ENDS 

Notes to editors

The GTCE has dealt with 11 hearings that include allegations of racism– details of these cases are available from the press office.

The CHRE promotes the health and well-being of patients and the public in the regulation of health professionals. It scrutinises and oversees the work of the nine regulatory bodies that set standards for training and conduct of health professionals. The GTCE asked the CHRE to lead the review because of its experience in this area and because there is no equivalent body in education.

The CHRE shares goodpractice and knowledge with the regulatory bodies, conduct research, and introduce new ideas about regulation to the sector. It monitors policy in the UK and Europe and advises the four UK government health departments on issues relating to the regulation of health professionals. It is an independent body accountable to the UK Parliament.