AAHEP - Association for Animals, Horticultural & Equine Practitioners

This Appeals Policy:

• Is for any service user or client of an individual registered on the Accredited Practitioner Register™ (“Register”) who wishes to appeal a decision or finding made by the Professional Conduct Review Committee (PCRC).

• Can be used by individuals on the Register, members of the public, or service users.

• Sets out the process for submitting appeals, and how the Register will review and respond.

• Guides members in handling appeals consistently.

Appeals can be made by anyone dissatisfied with any aspect of the Register’s business, including the handling or outcome of a complaint.

Definition of an Appeal

An appeal is a formal request to investigate a decision (including assessment outcomes, procedures, sanctions, malpractice or maladministration findings, or complaints) and reach an Appeal Outcome, and if applicable, an Independent Review of the Appeal Outcome. Appeals may cover both academic and non-academic matters.

Making an Appeal

You may appeal if:

• You have received a decision or finding from the PCRC.

• You are a practitioner, service user, or client affected by the decision.

• You submit the appeal within one calendar month of the event or decision.

We will:

• Acknowledge your appeal within five working days.

• Keep you informed at each stage.

• Aim to complete the appeal within three months of receipt.

• Charge no fees for handling appeals.

Stage 1 – Initial Assessment

• On receipt, the Chair of the PCRC will review your Appeal Form and supporting documents.

• If more information is needed, it will be requested at this stage.

• The Chair may assign an impartial assessor who was not involved in the original decision.

• The assessor will decide to either:

  1. Amend the original decision in light of new evidence.

  2. Confirm the original decision, explaining the rationale.

You then have 15 days to confirm whether you accept this decision or wish to proceed to an Independent Quality Assurance Review.

Stage 2 – Independent Review

• Requests for Independent Review should be sent to the Chair of the PCRC.

• The review investigates possible failings in the complaints and appeals process, not the original decision.

• The reviewer will not be a member of the Register’s staff or team and must have no personal interest in the outcome.

• The process may involve:

  • Discussion with the service user, practitioner, and Register.

  • Requests for further information.

  • A site visit.

The decision will be final and provided within 30 working days of the request. Legal representation is not permitted. If no decision is reached, the appeal will be considered at the next Governing Board meeting.

If You Are Unhappy with the Reply

• You may raise the matter with the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) via their “Share your Experience” process.

• Successful appeals may result in changes to Register procedures, staff training, or adjustments to sanctions.

• Practitioners who are members of other accredited registers may have their Register position reviewed if relevant issues arise.

Corrective Actions Following a Successful Appeal

If an appeal reveals failings in the Register’s processes, we will:

• Identify and address any other affected individuals.

• Correct or mitigate the impact where possible.

• Amend procedures to prevent recurrence.

• Cooperate with regulators and agree any required remedial action.

Contact Us

Queries about this policy should be directed to the Internal Quality Assurance function or emailed to [email protected]. Emails should be clearly labeled “APPEAL.” 

Policy Review

The Governing Board will review this policy annually as part of ongoing self-assessment.