Published: 16 February 2024

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 5, 6 and 7 February 2024, has found allegations of unacceptable professional conduct proved against work based learning practitioner and further education learning support worker, Michael Gumm.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as an Assessor by Tydfil Training Consortium (TTC) and working at The College Merthyr Tydfil, Mr Gumm:

1. made comments of a sexual and inappropriate nature on a number of occasions in or around October 2022.
2. in or around 18 October 2022, discussed inappropriate personal information with Learner B and Learner C.
3. on a date or dates between 11 October 2022 and 18 October 2022, invited one or more learners to contact him on Facebook.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mr Gumm from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of further education learning support worker and work based learning practitioner. It also decided Mr Gumm may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 2 years has elapsed. Should Mr Gumm not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 7 February 2026, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Mr Gumm has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.