Clarity, Consistency, Confidence: HCPC Unveils Key Updates to FTP Decision-Making

On 5 February 2026, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) published an important update outlining significant changes to its Fitness to Practise (FTP) decision-making framework. The HCPC has said that these changes represent a step forward in enhancing consistency, transparency and public protection within the regulatory process.

For HCPC Registrants, it is important for them to stay informed about how the Regulators expectations have evolved and what this means in terms of any practical implications.

Why This Update Matters

The HCPC has revised its sanctions policy with a view to providing clearer, more robust guidance for its independent FTP panels. This enhanced clarity aims at supporting fairer, more consistent decision making– especially in areas where risk, public trust and ethical considerations intersect. The updated policy comes into effect on 2 March 2026 and reflects extensive engagement and public consultation with registrants, professional bodies, unions, employers, panel members and members of the public.

Key Improvements Introduced

The HCPC has looked to strengthen its approach across several critical areas:

1. Clearer Expectations Around Misconduct

Revised guidance to provide sharper definitions and expectations regarding:

• Discrimination;
• Breaches of professional boundaries; and
• Sexually motivated misconduct.

2. More Structured Decision-Making for Sanctions

The updated sanctions policy offers more detailed principles for determining appropriate outcomes in FTP cases, ensuring decisions are:

• Fair;
• Proportionate; and
• Grounded in transparent reasoning.

This alignment aims to strengthen the integrity of regulatory decision-making across the board.

3. Greater Alignment with Case Law and Existing Practice Notes

Since the previous policy update, relevant case law has evolved. The HCPC has incorporated these developments, alongside existing HCPTS Practice Notes, for better consistency.

4. Strengthening Public Confidence

Executive Director of Fitness to Practise & Tribunal Services, Laura Coffey, explains:

“As part of our role to protect the public and maintain trust and confidence in health and care professions, we take actions when a registrant doesn’t meet the standards we set.

“These changes will help us to support independent panels, by providing more clarity and guidance when deciding on the appropriate sanction in HCPC fitness to practise tribunals, ensuring that decisions are consistent, informed, fair and proportionate.

“This enables us to improve the ways we protect the public and further support the healthcare professionals we regulate.”

These updates aim to support panels in making decisions that maintain public trust and ensure registrants meet HCPC standards.

What This Means for Practitioners

For those working within HCPC-regulated professions, these changes:

• Reinforce the importance of ethical conduct, accountability and professionalism;
• Encourage insight and learning when things go wrong;
• Provide clarity on how different behaviours will be assessed during FTP processes.

Ultimately, the updated policy aims to strengthen both public protection and professional support, ensuring decisions are informed, consistent and aligned with current legal and ethical expectations.

Looking Ahead

As the revised sanctions policy comes into force on 2 March 2026, now is the ideal time for registrants and regulatory legal practitioners to familiarise themselves with the changes and reflect on how they influence the FTP process. By staying informed and engaged, everyone can work together to support fairer outcomes and contribute to a regulatory system that keeps the public safe.