Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
What is Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?
The CPD certification service defines Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as: “the term to describe the learning activities professionals engage in to develop and enhance their abilities. It enables learning to become conscious and proactive, rather than passive and reactive.”
We would add that this is essential for the accomplishment of all your professional responsibilities.
The focus of CPD is firmly on outcomes – the benefits that you, as a professional, can bring to the real world. The emphasis here is the word ‘you’. Everyone is different and learns in different ways.
Therefore, it is up to you to identify not just what to develop but also how you will go about this.
Why is CPD Important to The IAPC&M?
CPD forms an integral part of our accreditation process (application and re-accreditation) to ensure that our accredited practitioners demonstrate they have the highest professional standards and capability.
What Are The Benefits of CPD?
The benefits of Continuing Professional Development include the following:
- Ensuring you have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to practice effectively, safely and legally.
- Demonstrates your commitment to raising professional standards.
- Increases client confidence.
- Enhances career development and the direction of your professional development.
- Increases your credibility.
- Potentially enables you to deal with change positively.
How Do I Identify My CPD Requirements?
A CPD model to follow is:
Assess
Assess where you are now and what you need to develop. Use information from feedback reviews, coaching sessions, SWOT analysis and other trusted sources
Plan
Plan what you are going to do, how and by when. Also, consider how you will evaluate the activities.
Do
Do what you have planned to do.
Review
Review/evaluate what you have done and consider how you will use this in practice.
Conclude
Draw your own conclusions and evaluate what you have achieved and what you want/need to do next.
Assess
Repeat the cycle.
What are The IAPC&M Requirements for CPD?
The IAPC&M Code of Professional Conduct states that ‘a provider must demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development (CPD).’
The requirement is a minimum of 30 hours per rolling year.
- It is your responsibility to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of your CPD activities.
- You are recommended to record a range of CPD activities in line with your professional development requirements
- Your CPD record must show how you have applied your learning into your professional practice in terms of;
- Inputs – the time taken
- Outputs – what you did
- Outcomes – how you will apply this in your practice
- You must submit your CPD record upon request. This can be at any stage but will normally be during accreditation or re-accreditation.
What Counts as CPD?
This will always depend on your preferred learning style and what you want to learn/develop.
In all cases, consider what will have the greatest impact on your current and future professional practice. Choose wisely; not too much and not too little. Be realistic about what you can achieve.
Continued Professional Development can be endless, so it is important to bear in mind two things:
- Firstly, it’s about you and how you will use your learning for the benefit of you and your clients.
- Secondly, a range of activities will enhance your range of learning options.
How Should I Record My Continuing Professional Development?
We provide a template which can be downloaded from the accredited area; however, you may keep whatever records work best for you, providing they are detailed and explanatory.
Your CPD report/record must be signed and dated upon submission. This is to ensure that the information you provide is accurate, authentic, valid, and reliable and is submitted by you honestly.
Sanctions and Non-Compliance
If false or misleading information is found to have been submitted by you, the matter will be referred to the Professional Standards department. If, after an investigation, the case is proven, your accreditation status (or application) may be suspended or terminated (or denied if applying).
Equally, if you do not comply with the IAPC&M’s requirements for CPD, your case will be referred to the Professional Standards department for review. This failure to comply may result in the same outcomes as outlined above.
What If I Can’t Complete Any CPD?
We recognise and acknowledge that life sometimes throws a curveball. This can include illness, redundancy, personal issues, maternity/paternity, bereavement, sabbaticals, ‘time-out’ and relocation. If you have a planned or unintentional break from your practice and/or CPD activity, contact the accreditation department.
Download a PDF guide of the CPD below.
To help you better prepare for your life assessment call, please download and enjoy these 11 coaching capabiity calls prepared for your benefit, with our compliments.