Background
The RCSLT aims to support members' ongoing professional development and help them meet the CPD requirements for both the Health Professions Council (HPC) and the RCSLT.
In 2004, the RCSLT moved from an 'activity-based' approach to CPD to one based on outcomes. The new approach requires members to maintain records of the impact of their learning on day-to-day practice, as well as a record of the learning activity itself. All health and social care professionals are moving to this more reflective CPD approach.
The RCSLT is revising its systems further by providing SLTs and support workers with more guidance on maintaining their CPD. We piloted two new developments and launched these in April 2006:
- a CPD Toolkit, which will include guidance on different CPD activities
- an interactive CPD online diary, that allows members to record all their CPD activities online
The CPD Toolkit will continue to use a reflective, outcomes-based approach, but this will be more in line with other developments in the field than the existing log system. The RCSLT will phase out the current log system once new systems are fully in place and plans to introduce clearer standards for CPD with the new system.
CPD and support workers
CPD is not yet a requirement for support workers in the way that it is for SLTs. However, the RCSLT encourages support workers to undertake CPD because the reflective approach it uses is as appropriate for support workers as it is to qualified therapists. The toolkit and online diary will also be available for support workers in 2006.Keeping your CPD records now
The records you currently keep, and the reflective approach you have been using since 2004, will still be appropriate under the new system. We recommend you keep an ongoing CPD portfolio of all activities and 'evidence' that relates to your professional development, along with your 2005-06 RCSLT log form.This might contain your curriculum vitae, your appraisal forms, conference or course certificates, reflective diaries, previous RCSLT logs, paper or book reviews, published work, reports, protocols, audits, peer review, clinical supervision records and any other written documentation relating to your professional development.