top of page

Capability procedure for staff
Updated July 2025

Purpose

To support school staff who are not meeting professionally acceptable standards of performance and, where necessary, implement formal capability measures.

Key Principles

  • Used only after informal support through the appraisal process has been exhausted.

  • Not to be used for misconduct, ill health, or newly qualified teachers (covered under separate procedures).

  • The employee may be accompanied by a trade union representative or colleague at all meetings.

  • The process must be structured, fair, and supportive with a focus on improvement.

  • Timescales may only be shortened with agreement from both parties.

Before Formal Procedure

Initial concerns must be discussed informally by the line manager, considering:

  • Nature and cause of underperformance (personal, professional, environmental).

  • Whether it's a capability, misconduct, or health issue.

  • Options include: dropping the issue, informal action, or further support via appraisal.

If no improvement is achieved via appraisal, a formal referral to the head teacher may be made.

Capability Procedure Stages

Stage 1: Formal Meeting, Support, Monitoring & Review

Trigger: Continued concerns after appraisal support.

Process:

  • Employee receives at least 5 working days’ notice of a meeting.

  • Meeting led by head teacher/principal to:

    • Review concerns and evidence

    • Discuss previous support

    • Offer right to representation

  • Decision made whether to:

    • Continue with appraisal support

    • Begin capability process

If capability process begins:

  • Objectives and expected standards are set

  • Support/training provided

  • A monitoring period of at least 13 weeks

  • Clear warning: failure to improve may lead to dismissal

Outcome:

  • If performance improves: return to appraisal

  • If not: proceed to Stage 2

Stage 2: Further Formal Meeting, Support & Review

Trigger: Insufficient improvement in Stage 1

Process:

  • Employee receives 10 working days’ notice

  • Similar structure to Stage 1 meeting

  • Likely outcome: formal written warning (or final written warning in serious cases)

  • Support and objectives reviewed

  • Continued monitoring period

Outcome:

  • If performance improves: return to appraisal

  • If partial improvement: extended support

  • If no improvement: move to Stage 3 (Capability Hearing)

Stage 3: Capability Hearing (Possible Dismissal)

Trigger: Continued underperformance after Stage 2

Process:

  • Clerk to governors provides 10 working days’ notice

  • Hearing before a governor panel with no prior involvement

  • Attendees: head teacher, employee (and representative), witnesses (if applicable)

Purpose:

  • Assess whether the employee:

    • Meets required standards

    • Should receive further support

    • Should be dismissed

    • Could be redeployed instead of dismissal

Outcome:

  • No dismissal and no action

  • No dismissal but further support and/or warning

  • Dismissal, or

  • Redeployment (if appropriate and agreed)

Post-hearing:

  • Clerk writes to employee within 5 working days

  • Employee has 15 working days to appeal

  • If no appeal or appeal fails: dismissal notice issued by local authority or academy trust

Important Notes

  • All stages must be documented in writing.

  • The employee can appeal against a dismissal.

  • The capability process overrides appraisal once started.

  • Regular communication and support are expected throughout the process.

  • s-facebook

Call me back option.

Why not ask us to call you? 

Our numbers are 965076678 and mobile  615 466 398.

Need more information, why not ask a question or make an enquiry? 

You can e-mail us any time at  “theobrienlanguagecentre@gmail.com”  or  "info@theobrienlanguagecentre.es"

We are always delighted to answer your questions.

​

Pearson Int Plaque.jpg
bottom of page