Workforce, training and education
East of England

All trainees will have an Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) organised by the School of Psychiatry. It is a formal review of how well a trainee is progressing in relation to their learning agreement for their training programme and assesses their ability to progress to the next level.  The reviews should occur at least yearly (even for Less Than Full Time Trainees) but may occur more frequently in special circumstances.

The assessment is based on the trainee's portfolio including their supervisors' reports, work place based assessments (WPBA) and other content such as reflective practice notes, log books or evidence of other training.

Clinical and Educational Supervisor's reports are now completed on the RCPsych online portfolio.  Getting the information together for an ARCP can take a bit of time.  While most of your work place based assessments will have gradually built up over the year, the mini-PAT (360 degree feedback, which should be completed for each post) can take a few weeks to complete.  Likewise arranging meetings with your clinical and educational supervisors is important and best not left to the last minute.

Note that the outcome of the ARCP is determined by the panel based on the reports and portfolio, and not by interview. On most occasions trainees will not be expected to attend in person.  There can be many reasons that a trainee is invited to attend their ARCP in person and the final decision is usually made by the Training Programme Director.  Some possible reasons are as follows:

It is essential for a trainee to attend when:

  • They are expecting an Outcome 2, 3 or 4 (each of these outcomes require further discussion and / or guidance)
  • An ARCP following an Outcome 2 or 3, to determine progress

Trainees might also attend if:

  • They are approaching CCT or the end of their training programme (eg core training)

Trainees may wish to attend (or be invited) if:

  • They have returned to training after an absence
  • Their route through training has been complicated and may benefit from direct discussion

If you are unsure if you need to attend then please discuss this with your Educational Supervisor and/or Training Programme Director.

​Further information about the ARCP process can be found in the Gold Guide (for the general rules about the ARCP process, outcomes, appeal processes etc.), and in the relevant curriculum from the RCPsych (link).  The curricula includes minimum WBPA recommendations for core and higher training, and appropriate competencies for different levels of training and how they might be demonstrated.

A selection of videos on how to get the best our of the portfolio, and help trainees prepare for their ARCP is being collected here: https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/node/5684

There is also a shorter guide for Core Training that can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

ARCP dates - Summer 2022
How can I help make my ARCP go smoothly ? (for trainees)
How can I help my trainees' ARCPs go smoothly ? (for Educational Supervisors)
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