Panel member training

This page contains three resources:

A training animation
Trainers' guidance notes and resources
Self-directed guidance notes and resources

Please read these before accessing the animation.

These resources are for the training of panel members and chairs, and it could also be used by regulatory lawyers and professionals who take part in fitness to practise hearings.

The aims are to consider seven common challenges for panel members with witnesses who may have been harmed by the registrant and / or who may have specific vulnerabilities that could affect their engagement and the quality of their evidence, as well as aiming to mitigate as far as possible any re-traumatisation that can occur when recounting traumatic events. It is also important to recognise that vulnerability is situational and may change while being a witness (Sorbie & Garippa, 2025).

The scenarios are presented and how they might be addressed in a trauma-informed way, while being fair to all parties. The scenarios are not intended to relate to individual regulator’s processes.

The overall aim is to prompt reflection around preparation, questioning, emotional responses, and the overall witness experience and to help panel members think more deeply about their role in reducing harm and supporting witnesses effectively.

The trainers' guide includes:

The ‘Seven Challenges’ (guidance)
Appendices containing resources that can be used to support training and scenario discussion
Additional useful resources for self-study

The self-directed study guide includes: