Commencement of investigation
3.—(1) Where the regulator determines in accordance with paragraph 1(1) that there are reasonable grounds for investigating whether a social worker’s fitness to practise is impaired, the regulator must—
(a)appoint two or more investigators to carry out an investigation, and
(b)appoint two or more case examiners to determine whether there is a realistic prospect that adjudicators would determine that the social worker’s fitness to practise is impaired,
in accordance with this Part.
(2) Where paragraph 1(2) applies the regulator must appoint two or more case examiners to consider the case in accordance with paragraphs 8 and 9, and paragraphs 4 to 6 do not apply.
(3) Any step in the investigation under this Part must be taken within such period as is specified in rules made under regulation 25(5)(b).