CPD Criteria

An Ever Changing World

Director of Professional Standards, John Nightingale, shares ACC’s thinking on Continued Professional Development (article from accord Spring 2011)

Planning a magazine is not always an easy task, as our editor would confirm [Yes! – Ed] and in the current economic and political climate it is even more difficult as things are changing so quickly. The Editor and the ACC Board originally asked me to write this article on Continued Professional Development (CPD) when it seemed fairly clear that we were heading towards statutory regulation via the Health Professions Council (HPC). As you are no doubt aware, that landscape seems to be changing thanks to a government ‘Command Paper’ issued on 17th February 2011. (For more information look at Page 10 and check our web site under ‘Breaking news regarding regulation’ for any later updates). I have no more to report at this stage on the detailed implications of the ‘Command Paper’ apart from, it may be that full statutory regulation is not going to be the way forward and that a lighter form of government oversight may occur through a system of ‘assured voluntary registers’ administrated by the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE). Whichever way it goes, and in anticipation of the changes, ACC is reviewing and updating its position with regard to CPD.

Traditionally, ACC has asked for CPD (40 hours over four years) that centres around attendance at certified courses. This view needs to be broadened to allow a more inclusive approach to the whole topic. CPD is and will be a requirement for all who are accredited – that is Counselling Practitioner or Accredited Counsellor and possibly, in the future, a Registered Counsellor (or whatever someone on the assured Voluntary register is called). For a Counselling Practitioner who is studying to progress to Accredited Counsellor, their CPD will be taken care of by that study. We do not envisage any change to the accreditation criteria unless it is required to enable our Voluntary Register to be ‘assured’. We would also strongly recommend that counsellors who are not accredited comply with the CPD requirements.

I have examined many definitions of CPD and whilst they vary slightly, the one below, I believe, is an appropriate hybrid :-

“any process or activity that provides added value to the capability for the appropriate execution of professional duties.”

Whilst there is not an agreed single definition of CPD, it is clear amongst all regulated or semi-regulated professions that any accredited member should keep and maintain an up-to-date and accurate record of their CPD activities and these records should be readily available for inspection, on request, from their accountable body. There is not a set format for this record but a table that includes the date and ‘type’ of activity undertaken and a brief rationale as to why, would seem the simplest way of building the record (see example below).

ACC would expect any CPD record to show a variety of different learning activities that have been undertaken; if there is only one type of activity (e.g peer reviews) then this would not be acceptable. We are, however, aware that a portfolio will and should reflect a bias to learning styles that suit the individual member. As well as this, there should be a clear rationale for the choice of activity undertaken and an explanation of how it influenced and developed your practice. It is also important that your CPD should have relevance to the member’s current or future practice and should clearly be aimed at improving the way the member works. For example, if you want to develop a new specialism, it would be logical that for a period of time your CPD would concentrate on that area of practice before actually working with clients. Equally, it may be that you choose to invest time in deepening and honing your existing scope of practice – either is valid. Ultimately your CPD should benefit your clients.

So what can you count as CPD ?

It is generally accepted that CPD activities basically fall into four main categories :- work-based learning, professional activity, formal learning and self-directed learning. We have therefore decided to widen the scope of acceptable CPD to include things such as :- seminars, workshops, training, reading (please give titles), case studies, coaching from others, reflective practice, committee work, secondments, profession related project work, specialist interest groups, lecturing, teaching, mentoring, tutoring, being an expert witness, giving presentations at conferences, supervising research, being a national assessor, writing articles or papers, writing books and distance learning. Which ever activity is undertaken a summary of :- why the activity was chosen, how the CPD is linked to and relevant to your practice, how it has improved the quality of your work and how that improvement will help clients would be needed.

In common with many other professional bodies, having increased the scope of CPD, we plan to initially increase the required number of hours of CPD to 20 hours per annum with effect from 1st January 2012. It should be noted that this figure maybe changed depending on which body regulates the profession and what standards are set as obligatory requirements. ACC will also be passing some of the responsibility for signing off CPD portfolios to supervisors when it comes to maintenance applications for accreditation. ACC will reserve the right to call in a CPD record at any stage and will formally check up to 20% of renewal applications each year. Clearly the maintenance of a proper and appropriate CPD file would be a factor in any potential ‘fitness to practice’ investigation.

As stated at the beginning of this article, we are in an ever changing world and one thing is sure, that ‘change is here to stay’. As things unfold about the future of our calling, we will endeavour to keep you fully informed. Keep an eye on the web site for any updates in between issues of accord. As always, our role is to keep you informed of developments, up to date and relevant and that we will do on your behalf.

CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO

CPD development activity undertaken

Hours & Date (& provider if relevant)

Brief explanation of reason for undertaking activity

Brief description of how activity benefited your professional development and practice

This is a true and accurate record of my CPD for the past 12 months.

Practitioners Signature: Date:

This is a true and accurate record of CPD for the past 12 months.

Supervisors Signature: Date: