Policy Statement

The Register acts in the public interest to uphold standards of professional conduct and practice, to protect the public, and to maintain public confidence in the benefits of Equine Assisted Services.

Publishing Our Professional Conduct Decisions

We provide information to the public to help them make informed choices when selecting a professional and to promote understanding among practitioners of the high standards expected.

We aim to be transparent and accountable for our decisions and publish findings of the Professional Conduct Review Committee (PCRC) unless there are compelling reasons not to. Applicants to the Register agree, as part of membership, that their practice and conduct can be reviewed under the complaints process.

While we aim for transparency, we also protect confidentiality during investigations. Any disclosure of information will be lawful, proportionate, and fair. Notices will be published for at least five years unless remedial actions are completed and confirmed sooner.

Interim Suspension

If membership is suspended pending investigation, and no appeal is made, the suspension will be published for its duration. If lifted, the decision will remain published for two months.

Decisions Subject to Publication

• Decisions are not normally published if no allegations are upheld.

• If at least one allegation is upheld, we publish the findings, decision, and any sanction.

• Even without a sanction, we publish upheld findings and decisions.

• The member’s name and registration number are published for correct identification, but private personal information is excluded.

• Outcomes are published in full unless redactions are needed to protect others or prevent identification of complainants, clients, or witnesses.

Publication periods:

• No sanction: one year.

• Suspension: until lifted and all related conditions are met.

• Withdrawal of registration: five years.

Decisions are normally published after the 28-day appeal period or following an appeal outcome.

Consensual Disposal

When resolved by consensual disposal, we publish the agreed facts, admitted failings, and rectifications. If a sanction is imposed, the outcome remains published until the sanction is complied with.

Sanction Compliance Notices

When a sanction is deemed complied with, we publish a compliance notice for two months.

Withdrawal of Registration

If registration is withdrawn following a PCRC decision, we publish the notice for five years. If sanctions are not complied with and registration is withdrawn, the same five-year period applies.

Lapsed Members

If a member lapses registration before, during, or after a hearing (including before completing a sanction), relevant PCRC decisions will still be published.

Re-Entry to Membership

If someone re-enters membership after an adverse conduct decision, we publish a re-entry notice.

Factors in Publication Decisions

Publication is decided case by case, balancing public interest with the Practitioner’s right to privacy. Factors supporting publication include:

• Transparency in decision-making.

• Informing the public and clients about action taken.

• Maintaining public confidence in equine service provision.

• Encouraging adherence to professional standards.

Factors against publication include:

• Inability to publish without disclosing confidential or legally privileged information.

• Disproportionate impact on the Practitioner when balanced against public interest.

Post-Publication Requests

Decisions may be amended or removed before the scheduled expiry if new information or changed circumstances show publication is no longer in the public interest or to correct/update information.