ARCP Information

Starting a new specialty, or moving to a new region for training, can be daunting. This section contains guidance about how the West Midlands Deanery approaches the assessment of your paediatric training, which is carried out at an Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP).

February 2025

1st Jan CCT acceleration closing date

10th Jan CCT acceleration panel

27th Jan Portfolio close for Feb ARCP dates

11th / 13th Feb ARCP

April 2025

Dates: TBC

July 2025

Dates: TBC

Risr Deadline: TBC

Useful documents

2024/25 OOPE ARCP Checklist

2024/25 OOPE Clinical Supervisor Form

2023/24 CCT acceleration form

2024/25 ARCP Checklist Progress Plus

2024/25 OOPR ARCP Checklist

updated form coming soon!

Top Tips for ARCP

Form R

A completed Form R must be submitted via TIS Self Service approximately 2 weeks prior to your ARCP. Form Rs are no longer accepted via any other format.

How to use the system:

You will need to set up an account in TIS Self Service by following the below sign-up process. You will only need to do this once for the initial set up. Please use the email address you have received communication on for sign up. If that email address is not the one you want HEE to contact you on, please contact TIS.WM@hee.nhs.uk so we can update TIS.

To sign up:

1. Navigate to https://trainee.tis-selfservice.nhs.uk/

2. Sign-up using the email address we contacted you on.

3. Complete and submit your Form R parts A & B

For further information on TIS Self Service:

http://tis-support.hee.nhs.uk

Helpful information for ARCP

Please ensure that you have created your training posts for the training year and linked your Educational and clinical supervisors.
Any absences other than annual leave and approved study leave must also be entered under Absences.
Whilst not mandatory, please consider using the checklists above and attaching them to your ARCP Preparation form on Kaizen. They really help the panel locate everything.
All level 3 trainees have an additional curriculum to complete in addition to the 11 generic domains; either level 3 general Paediatric curriculum OR the relevant subspecialty curriculum if a grid trainee
Please ensure you initiate your clinical and educational supervisors’ reports in good time. It will take you at least an hour to fill in your section of the educational supervisor’s report before the supervisor can start to complete it
A video has been created by the RCPCH on 'How to complete a Trainee Led Educational Supervisor Report' . You may find this useful. Click on the following link: http://bit.ly/2I9XMKA
Please ensure PDPs are signed off if achieved
Only those SLEs which have been signed by the assessor are valid. Unsigned ones cannot be taken into account

What is ARCP

The ARCP comes towards the end of the year and is focused on completing the assessment of the progress of all trainees.

The ARCP is a formal method by which trainees are judged to progress through their training programme. Detailed, generic information can be found on the Joint Royal College of Physician’s website (www.jrcptb.co.uk) along with the Gold Guide. This document provides background information about National Training Numbers, Less That Full Time Training, Out Of Programme periods, and ARCP Outcomes.

An Outcome 1 is what we should be aiming for: Satisfactory Progress – Achieving progress and the development of competences at the expected rate. This is decided by an ARCP Panel, which is made up of:

The Panel Lead – usually a Training Programme Director, The Head of School or the Postgraduate Dean (or nominated deputy)
At least two other members, e.g. Chair of Specialty Training Committee, Training Programme Directors, RCPCH Representatives, Educational Supervisors or Associate Deans.
In addition there may be a lay advisor and RCPCH External Assessor (this is compulsory for at least 10% of a deaneries ARCPs).

The panel will base their decision on a number of factors that cover all aspects of training including; clinical work, educational progress, continued professional development, formal reports and completion of the necessary requirements listed in the ARCP checklist. It should be possible, through proficient completion of the checklist, to determine in your supervision meetings if you will achieve an Outcome 1 at the end of the year.

On the day of ARCP

There are no longer face to face meetings with the ARCP panel however you should be aware of what date your ARCP is and should be available on the phone in the event that you need to discuss your progress over the year and to discuss any issues that have or may affect your training.

Dr Philpott and/or one of the Training Programme Directors will be available on the day separate to the ARCP panels to discuss upcoming plans for your training including; potential GRID applications, applying for Out Of Programme time, or any other career aims. All trainees can choose to attend these meetings. Details on how to book these TPD/HoS clinic appointments can be found in the monthly newsletters.

Due to the time it takes to review each person’s portfolio, your ARCP panel will probably be looking through Kaizen in the weeks preceding the actual day. If it is indicated that you have an Outcome 1 in the lead up to the ARCP day, and you do not want to attend, then this is not compulsory. Always inform the Deanery if you are not attending. In all other scenarios, you should attend your meeting if one has been arranged and always attend if you have an outcome 2, 3, 4 or 5.

The only evidence that is considered is evidence uploaded to Risr (previously Kaizen). It is a good idea to be familiar with how the system works and ensure everything is uploaded in a logical fashion.

There should not be any surprises. Indeed, as mentioned above, it should be possible, through proficient completion of the checklist, to determine in your supervision meetings if you will achieve an Outcome 1. If you have any concerns, please make sure you raise them with the panel. Bring a notepad with some questions if you find that helps.

When you achieve an Outcome 1, there will always be things to improve on, so expect some pointers to help improve your portfolio for the following year.

The ARCPs are strictly quality assured with a uniform standard across all panels. Although Dr Philpott is not directly involved in the decision, which is that of the panel, she will have ensured that standard procedure is followed and all evidence in the ePortfolio is considered.

Feedback for the ARCP process within the West Midlands is always welcome. Please email the Trainee Committee and we can share your thoughts at the School of Paediatrics board meetings.