GOC Fitness to Practise Audit of decisions (2020-2022)

SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR FULL DETAILS AND HOW TO EXPRESS AN INTEREST

The GOC seeks to procure a provider to conduct three annual audits of decisions made by the GOC registrar, case examiners (CEs), Investigation Committee (IC) and Fitness to Practise Committee (FTPC), to ensure the decisions are in accordance with the GOC's overarching objective to protect the public.

The audits will primarily focus on higher risk decisions;

• Registrar decisions not to open a FTP investigation • CE/IC decisions not to refer a case to the FTPC • FTPC decisions not to impose an interim order • FTPC decisions where there is a finding of no misconduct or no impairment

The audits will consider the appropriateness of the decision-making, together with the decision reasoning and the quality of the decision drafting. The reviews will consider these aspects of decision-making within the context of the GOC's FTP legislation and the published guidance that decision makers are required to follow:

https://www.optical.org/en/about_us/legislation/index.cfm

https://www.optical.org/en/Investigating_complaints/fitness-to-practiseguidance/index.cfm

The audit is essential for ensuring that the GOC can demonstrate that its decisions are made to a high level of quality and consistency.

The provision of this service will be governed by an agreement commencing 15 May 2020 with a view to the audit commencing by 1 June 2020 and being concluded by 1 August 2020.

The service provider will also be expected to present their audit conclusions to both the CEs/IC (usually November) and FTPC (usually September) at two separate annual training events.

The length of the contract is for a three-year period, auditing decisions made during the periods;

• 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 • 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 • 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

We are looking to appoint a single service provider.

2. Service Requirements

• Cases to be audited will be selected randomly by the auditor • The audit will be undertaken at GOC offices (file reviews) • The audit (file reviews) is conducted between 1 June and 31 July for each of the three years • The draft audit report is received each year by the GOC by 14 August • The final audit report is received each year by the GOC by 31 August • The audit identifies issues that may need to be addressed in training programmes for FTP staff, CEs, the IC and the FTPC • The audit identifies areas where existing guidance needs to be revised, clarified or new areas added that are not currently covered; • The audit identifies areas where staff training needs to be undertaken; • The audit identifies best practice that can be shared with all decision-makers to ensure the maintenance of high standards of decision-making and drafting of reasons • The auditor delivers feedback to decision makers at two annual events (usually September and November)

Additional information: Expressions of Interest must be submitted electronically to [email protected]

Should you have any questions regarding this invitation please put them in writing to [email protected]

The closing date for submissions is: Monday 16 March 2020 (17:00)