A new approach to continuing competence Julie Brannan - Director of Education and Training Maxine Warr - Policy Manager Richard Williams - Policy Associate

Why a new approach No guarantee of competence Wrong sort of learning and development behaviour – compliance not competence New developments in learning and development

Regulatory framework Principle 5: “You must provide a proper standard of service to your clients” For a solicitor, an integral part of providing a proper standard of service will be to comply with the Competence Statement for solicitors Make an annual declaration

What does it involve? Each individual solicitor must do the training they need to remain competent and up to date Reflect on practice Identify learning and development needs Plan and address needs Record and evaluate Removes requirement for solicitors to undertake 16 hours per year of CPD

Other changes 1 November 2014: end of requirement to undertake accredited training and of authorisation of external and internal providers SRA no longer awards CPD hours for our events 1 April 2015: end of requirement to undertake Management Course Stage 1

Reduces the regulatory burden on firms as learning and development can be focused on actual training needs and tailored to specific roles Solicitors have freedom and flexibility to determine the learning they need to deliver a proper standard of service Introduction of the Competence Statement provides a clear understanding of what is required to deliver a proper standard of service Benefits

Defines competence by describing the core skills the public should be able to expect from solicitors in four broad areas: ethics, professionalism and judgement technical legal practice working with other people managing yourself and your work Competence statement

Until 31 October 2016, solicitors can choose either: To follow existing CPD requirements or From 1 April 2015, to adopt the new approach What does this mean for you

Implementation Solicitors are not required to notify us of the approach they decide to take We expect that solicitors will discuss our new approach with their employer, where appropriate, to talk about how they can continue to deliver a proper standard of service

Annual Declaration I have reflected on my practice and addressed any identified learning and development needs All solicitors that adopt the new approach will need to make an annual declaration Declaration made through PCRE by individual solicitor or on behalf of individual solicitor

Practising Certificate Renewals 2015 All solicitors will make the 16 hours declaration 2016 Either 16 hours declaration or new declaration if adopted new approach in 2014/15 CPD year 2017 All solicitors will make the new declaration

Reflection means creating opportunities to step back from your practice to consider: How you think you are performing What are my strengths and weaknesses? Was it to do with knowledge, technical skills or 'soft' skills/behaviours? Does not need to be time consuming What is reflection?

Identifying needs Competence Statement Other drivers behind learning and development needs: Appraisal and performance reviews Client feedback File reviews

What is planning? To help you plan, you may want to think about: What you need to do Why you need to it When you need to do it How you will do it Prioritising your learning and development needs

Addressing needs Any approach to learning and development is valid - so long as it contributes to how you remain competent to deliver a proper standard of service Tailor to suit learning and development needs It is important to turn learning into doing something differently in your job

Record and evaluate Record the activity you have undertaken: What you did How it was related to ensuring your competence What you learnt When the activity was completed Evaluate whether the activity addressed your learning and development needs

Absences from practice Maternity leave/sickness – Need to ensure up to date and competent upon return Overseas offices – If still practising as a solicitor, need to comply with Principle 5 – There’s now more flexibility about how you can do this

Uptake of new approach April 2015 webinar: 25 percent plan to opt in early May 2015 survey 24 percent have already opted in 28 percent planning to opt in from November 2015

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