A student, M, studying to become a Practitioner Psychologist faced a fitness to practise hearing brought by his academic institution. M had disclosed to the institution that he was taking time away from clinical practice in his substantive role as a Social Worker due to stress and anxiety, following news that the police had reopened an investigation into a historic allegation against him. The institute took that, and alleged that he had dishonestly concealed the historic allegation from them, as well as his concerns about his health and performance in his substantive employment role.
Ben provided legal advice and drafted written submissions for M to advance at the final panel hearing. The panel accepted that M had been open and transparent about the historic allegation, disclosing the relevant information in a timely manner, as well as his health, which he had good insight into and was proactive in managing. The panel made a number of recommendations to the institute.
