Disclosing a character and suitability issue

• At least two references:
  • Where possible, these should be written by someone who knows about the matters being disclosed, and this is stated in the reference.
  • They should be from an independent person who knows you well, such as a current or former employer or an academic tutor.
  • They should be on the letterhead, or use the business email, of the referee’s employer or academic institution.
  • They should not be from friends or family.

We may contact the referees to verify the content of the reference.

• Evidence of rehabilitation:
  • A statement to show what you have learnt from the matters disclosed and measures are in place to avoid a repeat of the conduct.
  • This can be supported by references and other evidence provided.
  • Where applicable, probation reports.
• Statement of events:
  • Provide a detailed explanation about the events leading up to the matters disclosed.
  • This should include any mitigating circumstances and reflect your attitude towards the events.
• Documentary evidence:
  • Where possible, this should include an independent corroboration of your account of the event.
  • This can include reports from the police, a court or a solicitor.
  • You do not have to complete a Subject Access request or provide a Police National Computer record for our assessment.
• Proof of disclosure to any professional body (where applicable):
  • You must show us that you also told any professional bodies about the matters you have disclosed, or that you did not need to .
  • If you have been admitted anywhere else, provide a certificate of good standing from that jurisdiction or regulatory body.
• Court documentation:
  • If your offence resulted in a conviction, you should provide:
    • Memorandum of an Entry on the Court Register (for matters heard at a magistrates’ court).
    • Sentencing remarks (for matters heard at a Crown Court).
  • These should be requested from the court that heard your case.
• Proof of satisfaction of penalty:
  • Proof you have paid any fine, costs or penalty imposed because of the matters disclosed.
  • This evidence can be obtained from the court where the penalty was paid. Alternatively, you can show the payment has been made, such as a receipt or the relevant entry on a bank statement.
• For motoring offences, your online driving record:
  • This can be accessed and shared via the UK government website.

• At least two references:
  • Where possible, these should be written by someone who knows about the matters being disclosed, and this is stated in the reference.  
  • They should be provided from an independent person who knows you well, such as a current or former employer or an academic tutor.
  • They should be on the letterhead, or use the business email, of the referee’s employer or academic institution.
  • They should not be from friends or family.

We may contact the referees to verify the content of the reference.

• Evidence of rehabilitation:
  • A statement to show what you have learnt from the matters disclosed.
  • This can be supported by references and other evidence provided.
• Statement of events:
  • Provide a detailed explanation about the events leading up to the matters disclosed.
  • This should include any mitigating circumstances and reflect your attitude towards the events.
• Documentary evidence:
  • Where possible, this should include an independent corroboration of your account of the events.
• Proof of disclosure to any professional body (where applicable):
  • You must show us that you also told any professional bodies about the matters you have disclosed, or that you did not need to.
  • If you have been admitted anywhere else, provide a certificate of good standing from that jurisdiction or regulatory body.

• At least two references:
  • Where possible, these should be written by someone who knows about the matters being disclosed, and this is stated in the reference.
  • They should be provided from an independent person who knows you well, such as a current or former employer or an academic tutor.
  • They should be on the letterhead, or use the business email, of the referee’s employer or academic institution.
  • They should not be from friends or family.

We may contact the referees to verify the content of the reference.

• Evidence of rehabilitation:
  • A statement to show what you have learnt from the matters disclosed.
  • This can be supported by references and other evidence provided.
• Statement of events:
  • Provide a detailed explanation about the events leading up to the matters disclosed.
  • Include an explanation of the extent of your awareness that the offence may have amounted to academic misconduct.
  • This should include any mitigating circumstances and reflect your attitude towards the events.
• Proof of disclosure to any professional body (if applicable):
  • You must show us that you also told any professional bodies about the matters you have disclosed, or that you did not need to.
  • If you have been admitted anywhere else, provide a certificate of good standing from that jurisdiction or regulatory body.
• Documentation from the education provider investigation:
  • Evidence from the provider detailing the offence.
  • Minutes of meetings or transcripts of hearings relating to the offence.
• Outcome of the education establishment investigation:
  • A copy of any decision or sanction imposed relating to the offence.
  • Where possible, proof that any sanctions were satisfied.
  • If you appealed the decision, a copy of the first decision, your appeal and the final decision.
  • We may contact your education provider to confirm the events disclosed.
• Copies of transcripts and certificates:
  • For the course the offence(s) related to, and any courses completed since.

• At least two credible references:
  • Where possible, these should be written by someone who knows about the matters being disclosed, and this is stated in the reference.
  • They should be provided from an independent person who knows you well, such as a current or former employer or an academic tutor.
  • They should be on the letterhead, or use the business email, of the referee’s employer or academic institution.
  • They should not be from friends or family.

We may contact the referees to verify the content of the reference.

• Evidence of rehabilitation:
  • A statement to show what you have learnt from the matters disclosed.
  • This can be supported by references and other evidence provided.
• Statement of events:
  • Provide a detailed explanation about the events leading up to the matters disclosed.
  • This should include any mitigating circumstances and reflect your attitude towards the events.
• A credit report (available from organisations such as Experian or Equifax) which is no more than one month old.
• Documentary evidence:
  • Where possible, this should include an independent corroboration of your account of the events.
  • This could include copies of correspondence with your creditors.
• Proof of disclosure to any professional body (where applicable):
  • You must show us that you also told any professional bodies about the matters you have disclosed, or that you did not need to.
  • If you have been admitted anywhere else, provide a certificate of good standing from that jurisdiction or regulatory body.
• Details of any actions you have taken to clear any debts, satisfy any County Court Judgments and manage your finances.
• In relation to County Court Judgments:
  • A copy of any judgment or order.
  • Proof that you have met the judgment or order in full or that it continues to be met.
  • A certificate of satisfaction from the court or a Registry Trust Limited report (available from Trust Online).
• If you have entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA):
  • A copy of the agreement set up by the insolvency practitioner.
  • Proof that you have met the IVA in full or that it continues to be met.
• In relation to any Debt Management Plan (DMP):
  • A copy of the DMP.
  • Proof that you have completed the DMP in full or that it continues to be met.
• In relation to bankruptcy (including discharged bankruptcy):
  • A copy of the bankruptcy petition (available from the court or trustee in bankruptcy).
  • Where applicable, a copy of the Certificate of Discharge.
  • A credit report (available from Experian or Equifax) which is no more than one month old.

• At least two references:
  • Where possible, these should be written by someone who knows about the matters being disclosed, and this is stated in the reference.
  • They should be provided from an independent person who knows you well, such as a current or former employer or an academic tutor.
  • They should be on the letterhead, or use the business email, of the referee’s employer or academic institution.
  • They should not be from friends or family.

We may contact the referees to verify the content of the reference.

• Evidence of rehabilitation:
  • A statement to show what you have learnt from the matters disclosed.
  • This can be supported by references and other evidence provided.
• Statement of events:
  • Provide a detailed explanation about the events leading up to the matters disclosed.
  • This should include any mitigating circumstances and reflect your attitude towards the events.
• Documentary evidence:
  • Where possible, this should include an independent corroboration of your account of the events.
  • Documents considered at the hearing.
  • Findings from the investigation of the professional body.
  • Details of any appeal.
  • The final outcome and sanction imposed.