What is CPD?
Continuing professional development (CPD) is the way in which you continue to learn and develop throughout your career, ensuring your skills and knowledge are up to date enabling you to practice safely and effectively.
For registrants, maintaining CPD is a professional requirement in order to maintain registration.
CPD is not just formal courses.
A CPD activity is any activity from which you learn and develop such as:
- Work-based learning. For example, reflecting on experiences at work, considering feedback from service users or being a member of a committee.
- Professional activity. For example, being involved in a professional body or giving a presentation at a conference.
- Formal education. For example, going on formal courses or carrying out research.
- Self-directed learning. For example, reading articles or books.
Activity should be varied and relevant.
Reflective Practice is a key part of CPD and should always be considered part of the learning process to ensure you are able to carry any learning forward into practice. Evidence of reflective activity is just as important, if not more important, than a certificate of attendance, for your professional portfolio.
Not all non-accredited courses offer attendance certificates. However, in this case if you would like proof of attendance please check your ESR account – as so long as your name was logged correctly on the register, this will be uploaded in most cases (there are a few exceptions).
Reflective Practice
The SWAST CPD Reflective Practice document has been updated and can be downloaded here.
This document gives you the opportunity to consider what you have learnt, reflect on your actions and engage in a process of continuous learning in line with HCPD CPD standards.
NQPs – This document should be submitted to the e-portfolio alongside any evidence of CPD e.g. certificate or proof of attendance.
HCPC standards for CPD:
- Maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of CPD activities;
- Demonstrate that your CPD activities are a mixture of learning activities relevant to current or future practice;
- Seek to ensure that their CPD has contributed to the quality of their practice and service delivery;
- Seek to ensure that their CPD benefits the service user; and
- Upon request, present a written profile (which must be their own work and supported by evidence) explaining how they have met the Standards for CPD.
What kind of CPD is available?
By having a search of this site you will find all sorts of CPD opportunities and resources available to you. This may include live courses delivered face-to-face and virtually; videos, blogs, e-learning and opportunities to take part in simulations.
If you can’t find what you are looking for, please get in touch – we may be able to help!