NMC Pupillage
Application Deadline: 22 January 2026
Department: Case Preparation and Presentation
Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: London, Westfield Avenue
Reporting To: Chris Scott
Compensation: £28,841 - £32,046 / year
Description
This role is available on a 12 month training contract.
Fitness to Practise Being fit to practise requires a nurse, midwife or nursing associate to have the skills, knowledge, health and character to do their job safely and effectively. The Code sets out the professional standards that nurses, midwives and nursing associates must uphold to be registered to practise in the UK. We will investigate whether someone on our register is fit to practise if an allegation is made that they do not meet our standards for skills, education and behaviour. The NMC's fitness to practise work sits within the larger Professional Regulation directorate. Case Preparation and Presentation ('CPP') team Our pupil will mostly be based within the directorate's CPP team, which has the largest number of Lawyers and Paralegals within the NMC. The legal team review, prepare and present fitness to practise cases before the NMC's practise committees. The hearings are very varied, and include new interim orders, interim order reviews, substantive hearings and substantive order reviews. The team also prepares applications to the High Court in relation to interim order extensions as well as conducting the advocacy before Judges. Finally, the team also advises on appeals brought by registrants and the Professional Standards Authority, and again the lawyers conduct the advocacy. Pupillage structure The pupil will be employed by the NMC on a fixed term contract for 12 months. In advance of the end date, we will explore with the pupil the possibility of continuing their employment with the NMC. We have an excellent track record of pupils staying with us once the pupillage has been completed. The pupil will undertake the NMC's standard induction, as well as specialised induction to the CPP team and the work of other legal teams across the directorate. Pupillage will be conducted and assessed in accordance with the Pupillage Handbook and the NMC's bespoke pupillage programme. During the course of the pupillage, there will be the opportunity to spend periods of time with other legal teams across the NMC. It is likely the pupil will have two different supervisors during the course of the pupillage to reflect the difference in work between the first six and the second six. During the first six, the pupil will undertake a wide range of NMC legal work under supervision. Within the CPP team, this includes:
* Legal research, advice, and drafting;
* Reviews of cases which have been referred to Fitness to Practise Committee.
* Preparation for hearings; and assisting with the preparation of cases in the High Court.
The pupil will be expected to attend all types of hearings to observe advocacy by the pupil supervisor and other advocates. In the second six, the pupil will continue to work on cases as well as undertake advocacy under supervision in both substantive and non-substantive matters. Person Specification Applicants must have their BPTC results at the time of application. In addition, applicants with more than a 5-year gap between completion of their vocational Bar training course and the start of this pupillage must set out the legal experience they have gained during this period and have gained a BSB exemption. Application details If you wish to apply for this position, please complete the application form on the NMC website. You should include a copy of your CV (maximum 2 sides A4) which should clearly state:
* Your final BPTC result (or equivalent);
* Any other academic awards and achievements;
* Your relevant experience in legal or non-legal work.
You will be able to access this from 11am on Monday 5 January 2025 in accordance with the Bar Council Pupillage Gateway timetable, and all applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59pm on Thursday 22 January 2026. If you have any queries, please email - and mark the subject heading "Pupillage 2026 Application"
Benefits
* 30 days annual leave
* Enhanced Pension Contributions via our attractive Pension Scheme – with a basic 8% employer contribution as standard which increases up to 14% with optional added Employee Contributions
* Life Insurance – 4 x current salary
* Hybrid/Flexible working policies
* Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
* 24 Hours Employee Assistance Programme
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* Perkbox membership
* Subsidised restaurant in our Portland Place office
* Season ticket loans
About Us
Our core role is to regulate. First, we promote high education and professional standards for nurses and midwives across the UK, and nursing associates in England. Second, we maintain the register of professionals eligible to practise. Third, we investigate concerns about nurses, midwives and nursing associates - something that affects a tiny minority of professionals each year. We believe in giving professionals the chance to address concerns, but we'll always take action when needed. To regulate well, we support our professions and the public. We create resources and guidance that are useful throughout people's careers, helping them to deliver our standards in practice and address new challenges. We also support people involved in our investigations, and we're increasing our visibility so people feel engaged and empowered to shape our work.
Regulating and supporting our professions allows us to influence health and social care. We share intelligence from our regulatory activities and work with our partners to support workforce planning and sector-wide decision making. We use our voice to speak up for a healthy and inclusive working environment for our professions.
Check out our NMC LinkedIn page here for an insight into the NMC, our vacancies and the world of healthcare regulation.
Additional Information
Successful candidates will be appointed to a particular NMC Office, but you may be required to travel to other NMC locations, that are reasonable daily commute from your home office.
Hybrid Working Policy
We are currently working to a policy of office attendance for two days per week with the rest of the time working from home. Before submitting your application, please ensure you are able to commit to working in one of our office locations twice per week. If you are applying for a part-time role, please pro-rata office attendance based on the number of days you would be working.
Our Pay Policy
It is expected that staff new to the NMC will ordinarily be appointed to the bottom of the relevant pay band. However in exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to offer a salary above the bottom of the relevant pay band but we may request proof of current earnings. Please note that we offer an annual review of salaries and adopt a generous progressive pay approach. Further details of which are available on request.
For our internal colleagues, you will be paid in accordance to our internal pay policy.
Reasonable adjustments
We will provide reasonable adjustments to support disabled candidates throughout the recruitment process. Please let us know if you need any additional support to enable you to make an application with us.
Screening and vetting
All of our roles are subject to pre-employment checks. We are in the process of introducing a vetting policy, and it is possible that this role may become subject to DBS and further vetting checks in future.