Introduction

ARCP stands for Annual Review of Competence Progression

The ARCP is a formal process that reviews evidence presented by the trainee and their educational supervisor relating to the trainee’s progress since their last ARCP. This review looks at the amount and quality of the evidence to determine whether a trainee should move on to the next part of their training, or whether additional training experience or time is required. A full explanation of its purpose can be found in the Gold Guide v9.

The ARCP panel has an important role, which its composition should reflect. It should consist of at least three panel members appointed by the training committee or an equivalent group of which one must be either the Postgraduate Dean (or their nominated deputy), the Head of School or a TPD..  A proportion of ARCP panels may also have a lay representative and an RCOA representative present.

ARCP Outcomes are reached after a panel has reviewed the evidence supplied by the trainee, contained within their training portfolio, the Lifelong Learning platform (LLP). Since ARCPs are conducted without the trainee present (in absentia), it is essential that the training portfolio is up to date and contains all the evidence required by the ARCP panel linked to your Educational Supervisor's Structured Report (ESSR). You can ensure you have provided all required evidence by following the National ARCP checklist produced by the RCOA which all rotations in London. HEE Enhancing training and the support for Learners document

The Panel will also review evidence submitted by the trainee for revalidation which includes their FORM R. Please see the section on FORM R below.

Please note that if you are a Dual Trainee, you will have an ARCP in both specialties and will be awarded two outcomes, one for each speciality.

ARCP Outcomes including COVID Outcomes

Further details about ARCP outcomes can be found from page 70 to 74 of the Gold Guide.

In April 2020, in response to the impact that the COVID Pandemic might have on trainee progression, the concept of a “no fault” ARCP outcome was introduced. This reflected that a trainee’s progress overall was satisfactory but because of COVID (an external factor outside of their control) competencies/capabilities could not be acquired and trainees needed educational support and for some, that included additional training time.

At the same time, assessment requirements at critical progression points (e.g.,exams) were delayed or cancelled due to COVID. Colleges and Faculties reviewed curriculum requirements, amended assessments, and made derogations to reduce the disruption to training and progression due to COVID. This together with the COVID Outcome options enabled trainees to progress through the training pathway as scheduled and where they could not (for external reasons) additional training was offered.

Details of the COVID outcomes can be found within the Gold Guide - COVID Outcomes

When an outcome is not issued:

There are circumstances when the ARCP panel will not issue an outcome, such as when the trainee is absent on statutory leave (e.g., maternity/paternity/adoption or sick leave) or where training has been paused. In these cases, the panel will record the reasons for this. (Refer to N codes, GG8 Appendix 3)

What can I do in the event of a concern about the outcome?

If it is determined a trainee is likely to receive an outcome 2, 3 or 4 (or COVID outcome 10.2), the trainee will be contacted by a panel member (most likely their TPD), to be given feedback. The purpose of this discussion is to help the trainee understand the reason(s) for the outcome, to give them an opportunity to ask questions, for the TPD/Supervisor to offer support, and to ensure the trainee has a clear, well-supported action plan, going forwards.

A trainee may request a review of an Outcome 2 or appeal an Outcome 3 or 4. There are time limits and requirements for embarking on these processes, so it is recommended that trainees read the appropriate part of the Gold Guide early on if they are concerned. 

Outcome 5's

ARCP Outcome 5s may arise for three distinct reasons.

  1. Commonly, a trainee receives an Outcome 5 because they have not presented sufficient evidence to the panel for an assessment to be made, or if a trainee has not submitted a Form R (Part B). This situation should be entirely avoidable if the trainee maintains their portfolio and prepares in a timely manner, meeting their ES and using the ARCP checklist. An Outcome 5 in this circumstance reflects poorly on the trainee.
  2. A trainee may be issued an Outcome 5 because they have an outstanding module/HALO to complete before they progress to the next level of training, and they are still undertaking that module at the time of the ARCP. It may be possible to issue an Outcome 1 in this circumstance provided that the module supervisor (via the ESSR report) indicates that the trainee is progressing satisfactorily in the module and is expected to complete it in a timely manner. However, if this is not clear in the ESSR then the panel will have no choice but to issue an Outcome 5 pending completion of the module if the trainee is at a critical progress point.  If the trainee is not at a critical progression point and no extension to training is needed, the panel may be able to issues an outcome 2 if all other evidence is present.  In this circumstance, the Outcome 5 does not reflect poorly on the trainee who is otherwise well-prepared for the ARCP.
  3. Due to the timing of ARCPs and RCOA examinations, the trainee may be waiting for the results of an examination they need to have passed before moving on to the next stage of training. If the trainee is at a critical progression point, then an outcome 5 will be issued until the result of the exam.

An outcome 5 is not a final outcome and the timeframe for which missing evidence needs to be submitted will be stated on the outcome form. The outcome form will also state what the final outcome will be if the missing evidence is submitted within the time frame and is correct. If evidence is still missing after the deadline, then an Outcome 2 or 3 will be issued.

Out of programme trainees

For trainees that are out of programme:

If your OOP has not been recognised for training, the panel still needs to receive a Supervisor’s report from the trainee indicating what the trainee is doing during their OOP time, together with their FORM R. An Outcome 8 will be issued if all information is there and correct.

If the trainee is out of programme on a training placement (OOPT or OOPR) that has been prospectively approved by the GMC and that will contribute to the competences/capabilities of the trainee’s programme, an Outcome 8 will not be used. Instead, a routine assessment of progression should be made and an Outcome 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 should be awarded.

Preparing for your ARCP

Good preparation is key to a successful ARCP. The steps to achieving this are detailed below.

STEP 1: Following every ARCP, review the outcome form, make a note of any training recommendations or SMART targets made by the panel and whether the panel have recommended you for an ARCP sooner than the following year

STEP 2: Inform your ES of the when your next ARCP is due to take place at your initial review. Run through the RCOA National ARCP Checklist together so you can plan what you need to do.

STEP 3: Meet with your ES throughout the year and ensure meetings are documented in your LLP

STEP 4: Plan your MSF’s early

STEP 5: Arrange to meet with your ES in advance to prepare the Educational Supervisors Summary Report (ESSR). Complete your FORM R (part B) and link this to your ESSR prior to ES sign off.

ESSR - Please submit one ESSR for your ARCP for the full period under review where the start date is the day following on from the end date set for your previous ARCP.

Form R - The Form R must cover the entire period from the date of your last Form R to this one.  You must include all periods of time out of training in your TOOT declaration.  This includes OOPC, OOPE, OOPR (if not being counted for training and maternity/paternity leave.

STEP 6: Remember to allow time for final ESSR sign off by your College Tutor

Dual Trainees

Dual trainees will have an ARCP in both specialties and will be award 2 outcomes, one for each speciality.  You need to provide the correct documentation that satisfies the ARCP requirements for each programme and to complete the correct documents, it is imperative that your provided with an Educational Supervisor for Anaesthetics and ICM in every trust you rotate with.

Please note: You will need to upload the relevant evidence to both specialty LLP accounts so the respective panels can review the appropriate outcome.

Form R

The Form R is a self-declaration form completed by trainee doctors.

The Form R (Part B) asks for information about your recent scope of practice, time out of training, and declarations relating to revalidation. Trainees must declare their full scope of practice i.e., anywhere they have undertaken a role as a licensed doctor (voluntary or paid)

This information informs the ARCP Panel to comment on your fitness to practice, which in turn informs the Dean’s recommendation to the GMC about your revalidation.

You will need to submit your ARCP Form R (parts A, B and Covid 19 self-declaration) using the digital Form R, included as a core part of TSS. Please note that you will no longer submit Form Rs outside TSS, if you have any issues, please contact us via PSP.

  1. Navigate to https://trainee.tis-selfservice.nhs.uk/
  1. Sign-up using the email address we contacted you 
  1. Complete and submit your Form R parts A & B

If you need more information on the TIS Self Service system, please see our website https://tis-support.hee.nhs.uk/trainees/

The Form R must cover the entire period from the date of your last FORM R to this one.

You must include all periods of time out of training in your TOOT declaration.  This includes OOPC, OOPE, OOPR (if not being counted for training) and maternity/paternity leave.  Regarding maternity leave, please note that time off whilst using accrued annual leave should not be included, only the actual dates of maternity leave itself.

Please use consecutive calendar days when calculating/declaring TOOT, not just days that you were rostered to be at work.

Further guidance on completion of Time Out Of Training (TOOT) on Form R is available here.

If your FORM R is missing or the information is incorrect, you will be awarded an outcome 5 and given 2 weeks to upload a new FORM R.

 

ARCP FAQs

Further information available via the PGMDE Support Portal.

On Completion of your ARCP

You will notified via the Life Learning Platform when your outcome form has been completed by the ARCP panel.  Please remember to review this form and accept it.  The date of your next ARCP is normally 12 months later, but please review your outcome form to see if the panel have suggested an ARCP in less than 12 months time.  Please also note any objectives that have setup by the ARCP panel.  If you unsure if any of the comments on the form or objectives that have been set, please discuss this with either your ES or TPD.

Feedback from your ARCP

If it is determined a trainee is likely to receive an outcome 2, 3 or 4 (or COVID outcome 10.2), the trainee will be contacted by their TPD, to be given feedback. The purpose of this discussion is to help the trainee understand the reason(s) for the outcome, to give them an opportunity to ask questions, for the TPD to offer support, and to ensure the trainee has a clear, well-supported action plan, going forwards.

All other ARCP outcome feedback will be carried by the trainee’s Educational Supervisor during a post ARCP follow up review.

ARCP for Dual Specialty Trainees

It is a requirement of training programmes that an Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) is undertaken each year and all ARCPs will be held in absentia. Dual Trainees will have a separate ARCP in both specialties and will be awarded 2 outcomes, one for each speciality every time.

 

  1. Please keep an eye out for information about ARCPs from both specialities as the ARCP timings and dates of your ARCPs may be very different.

 

  1. You will need to provide the correct documentation that satisfies the ARCP requirements for each programme which will be carefully documented in the ARCP invitation email you receive from HEE.

 

  1. Please be aware that only your ICM portfolio can be accessed and reviewed at the ICM ARCP and by the ICM TPDs and only your Anaes portfolio can be accessed and reviewed at the Anaes ARCP and by the Anaes TPDs, even if you have linked evidence through from one portfolio to your ESSR.  Therefore, any evidence which needs to be reviewed by the ARCP Panel, needs to be loaded onto both section of LLP (ICM and Anaes) and linked accordingly.

 

  1. To support you in achieving the best outcome, it is imperative that you are provided with an ES for Anaesthetics and ICM in every trust you rotate through. Please let the college tutor and faculty tutor in Anaesthetics and ICM know that you are working in their trust so this can be organised for you.

 

  1. Whilst the ARCP process can seem quite daunting, it should be relatively straightforward with steady preparation during each academic year.  In addition to regular meetings with your Educational Supervisors (ES) from both specialities, we recommend liaising with them, your Faculty Tutor, and your College Tutor as soon as you are made aware of your ARCP date(s) so they can support you in your ARCP preparation and compile & submit an Educational Supervisor’s Structured Report (ESSR) with plenty of notice. 

For more information on ARCP’s & FAQ’s please click here

Shielding

Trainees who have been shielding and would like to count time towards training, please contact your supervisor (ES/module lead) to review your evidence collected during this period to see how much can count to training.

Further guidance on support for shielding trainees can be found if you click here