New RCSLT NQP goals launched

Starting a career in Speech and language therapy is an exciting and challenging time. RCSLT supports both NQPs and their supervisors to help make sure that the transition from student life to practising NQP is both supportive and encourages growth in skills and confidence.

Our revised NQP goals are part of our ongoing pledge to support newly qualified SLTs during this crucial stage of their careers. The 10 new, broad goals, with up to 4-6 extra activities decided with a supervisor, are what all new NQPs should be working towards from 1 May 2026 and onwards.

At the same time, we will be continuing to support NQPs who started working towards their goals before 1 May 2026. If you are an NQP who is working towards the current 24 goals, you can continue with the progress you’ve already made and carry out all of the professional development activities you need to become a certified RCSLT member.

NQPs only need to complete one set of goals, so whichever set of goals have been started should be continued up until completion to become a certified member.

If you are a supervisor you may have NQPs in both categories and for a time will need to support both approaches.

The new goals and processes

The 10 new, broad goals cover the following

1. Reasoning and decision-making
2. Communication with service users, families, carers and colleagues
3. Autonomy and accountability
4. Promoting the profession
5. Work readiness knowledge and skills
6. Specialist knowledge and skills
7. Managing and recording complexity
8. Continuous learning and development of yourself and others
9. Working in partnership with service users to improve service delivery
10. Contributing to changes at work

In addition to the updated goals, the process for recording your goals is changing slightly. From 1 May 2026, any new NQPs will not be able to record their progress using the current CPD diary while we transition to a new system which we plan to release later this year. More information about how to record your progress can be found on our page for NQPs.

Why the goals have been revised

We regularly appraise all our goals and frameworks to make sure that they are up to date and our NQP goals are no exception. We worked in consultation with members and universities to create the new goals.

We’ve created new transitions guidance alongside the goals to help explain the changes further.

Sign up for our Webinar – 1 June 2026

To help NQPs and supervisors understand the changes, we’ll be hosting a webinar at 12pm on the 3 June.

The webinar will cover details about the simplified process and how it aligns with external preceptorship programmes and RCSLT frameworks.

Come along to find out how the new goals work and learn about the improvements which include:

• a simplified process
• greater flexibility
• more support around evidencing goals
• better alignment with RCSLT pre-registration and career frameworks
• alignment with external preceptorship programmes from the nations and HCPC preceptorship principles.

Sign up to the webinar