Annual review of progression (ARP)

What is the purpose of the ARP?

The purpose of the ARP is to:

• provide a formal opportunity for trainees and their workplace supervisors to evaluate, and indicate to the School, a trainee’s progress on the programme appropriate to their stage of training
• identify any concerns/issues/barriers that need to be addressed to help with a trainee’s progression
• ensure that each trainee receives an independent evaluation of their progression
• give confidence to trainees, workplace supervisors and commissioners that training is being monitored and support and advice is being offered as appropriate

The ARP is a mandatory requirement for all HSST trainees and workplace supervisors. It is intended to be a supportive and helpful process.

What evidence must be provided for the ARP?

Evidence to be provided includes:

• A trainee’s self-evaluation of engagement and development on the programme and their progress to date.
• An evaluation by the trainee’s workplace supervisor of their engagement with the programme and their progress to date.
• A portfolio of evidence demonstrating achievement against the HSS Standards of Proficiency (SoPs).
• Engagement and progress on the academic component; this must be appropriate to a trainee’s pathway/stage through the programme.
• Evidence of completion of a multi-source feedback exercise/360 appraisal recommended to inform professional development.

We recommend that you and your workplace supervisor schedule a meeting prior to the ARP to review the training plan and discuss progress. A post-ARP meeting will also be necessary to discuss the outcome and update the training plan as appropriate.

Follow-up from the ARP

Any follow-up will be informed by the ARP evidence, comments, concerns and issues highlighted on the evaluation reports and outcome decision.

Here are some examples of follow-up from the ARP:

• Actions from the trainee and workplace supervisor relating to the training plan and/or MSF.
• Actions from the trainee relating to the engagement/progress on the academic component/s.
• A non-compliance form is to be completed by the trainee and/or workplace supervisor if they have not engaged with the ARP. Non-compliance is viewed as a serious transgression and a justification will be required for review by the School and if appropriate the relevant commissioners.
• Support and advice will be provided by the School to help address any highlighted issues, concerns or barriers which have not been possible to resolve locally in discussion with the employer, HEI or other.
• Actions will be requested of the employer/training department or MAHSE, where the evidence indicates justified serious issues with the provision of workplace training opportunities or academic components of the programme.
• A request for the trainee and/or workplace supervisor to attend an ARP panel meeting, to agree actions to facilitate progression where evidence indicates serious concerns or barriers relating to the trainee’s progress. The panel will be formed as appropriate to the evidence and may comprise, but is not restricted to, representatives from the School, speciality senior scientist, MAHSE, AHCS, relevant commissioning group, lay advisor.
• In exceptional circumstances and with all possible avenues to facilitate progression exploited, if evidence demonstrates that the trainee fails to progress as necessary, they will be supported to exit from the HSST programme.