Publication date: 9 April 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 27 March 2025, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school learning support worker, Mrs Nicola Cullen.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that Mrs Cullen:

1. On 23 November 2022, accepted a conditional caution from North Wales Police for Theft by employee on 1 July 2021 to 1 October 2021, contrary to section 1 of the Theft Act 1968.
2. On or around 26 January 2024, applied to the Education Workforce Council to register in the category of School Learning Support Worker and she indicated in the declarations section that she did not have any convictions and/or cautions, when this was incorrect.
3. Mrs Cullen’s conduct at paragraph 2 above was:
   1. dishonest
   2. lacking integrity

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mrs Cullen from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school learning support worker. It also decided Mrs Cullen may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of two years has elapsed. Should Mrs Cullen not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 27 March 2027, they will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Mrs Cullen has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.