First interviews with Local Authorities
First we purposively sampled a group of Local Authorities. This group ranged in size and type (County Councils, Metropolitan Boroughs and Unitary Authorities were all included) and reflected the different levels at which Local Authorities were referring cases of incompetence to the GTC.

This group also reflected the varying rates of teacher vacancies in different authorities.

We then approached representatives from these Local Authorities and asked them to participate in a one-to-one interview.

Interviews with those involved in supplying, managing or representing teachers
Following these initial interviews, our researchers returned to some Local Authorities and asked for their help in identifying head teachers, chairs of governors, supply agency managers and local teaching union representatives.

These individuals were selected because of their varying experiences of local capability procedures and the process whereby referrals for incompetence were made to the GTC.

Local Authority representatives approached these individuals in the first instance, and then facilitated an introduction to our research team.

Involvement of GTC and DCSF
National stakeholders were identified by the GTC and DCSF and contacted directly by us to participate in the early scoping interviews and later deliberative group discussions.

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