The Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) Hilary Lush Senior Membership Advisor, RTPI

Assessment of Professional Competence Assesses the professional competence of the Licentiate, as a spatial planner, after a two year period of reflective learning. Need to demonstrate that they work at the suitable professional level to justify election to Chartered status. Sets a high standard.

What is assessed? Written Submission General Presentation - Practical Experience Statement (PES) - Professional Competence Statement (PCS) - Professional Development Plan (PDP) General Presentation (Log book – submitted but not formally assessed) Assessed by your peers – two Chartered Members

Practical Experience Statement Has the Licentiate undertaken sufficient relevant practical experience to justify election to Chartered status? Covers the practice content and planning tasks that have been undertaken over the period of practical experience Includes: The type of employer Description of role The type of planning work

Professional Competence Statement Assessed against the following criteria: An understanding of context An ability to identify and analyse issues Competence in gathering appropriate information Competence in identifying and evaluating a course of action Competence in initiating action to implement a course of action or dissemination and application of knowledge (academic research) Engagement in a process of reflection and review Knowledge and experience of: Legal framework Ethical challenges Political framework and RTPI Code of Conduct

Professional Development Plan SWOT analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats PDP details goals for personal professional development and an action plan for achieving those goals Also… Enhanced PDP guidance including checklist now available! PDP support phase to help candidates

Use the PDP template (RTPI website). SWOT must feed into PDP

Goal (1-3) - long term overarching statement Objectives (2-4) - sub-goals that will help you achieve main goal Actions (2-3) - SMART activities that will help you achieve objectives

The S.M.A.R.T. Model SMART MODEL MUST BE USED Specific: Precise about what you want to achieve Measurable: How will you know if you have achieved the objective? Achievable: Be realistic! Relevant: Objectives should relate to your personal or professional development Time based: Set a time frame in which the objectives are to be reached

Allow enough time for proof reading and general checking! General Presentation MRTPI is a professional qualification and the Institute expects the submission to be completed to a high professional standard. Proof reading essential. Check for grammatical and spelling errors. Paragraph numbers. Referencing & footnotes. Word count is 4,500 – 5,500 words. Learning difficulties – speak with the Membership Team in confidence. Allow enough time for proof reading and general checking!

What is the log book? The log book is a means of capturing your experience as it happens. Your log book must be kept for a minimum of 12 months full time spatial planning experience as a Licentiate member. An effective and strong logbook will, however, cover the whole Licentiate period. Reference relevant log book entries in the written submission – link both if you want the assessor to read a specific entry. Logbook provides the basis for your written submission. Must maintain logbook for period of one year as a Licentiate, but can submit longer Used by assessors to get a better understanding of the case studies used in your submission

Log book Date Nature of Professional Work/Task Undertaken What skills/competencies has this work developed? What knowledge and/or understanding has been gained/developed as a result of this work? What skills/knowledge do you feel you need to develop?

Upcoming changes to the APC (applicable from deadline 5 November 2015) One consolidated guidance document to be released at the end of March. More information on how to demonstrate criteria/competency. New APC competency. Increased word limit.

Experience Experience can be: Full or part time or a combination of both (pro rata). Paid or voluntary. Gained in the UK or overseas. Spread over a period of time longer than two years. The 24 months does not need to be consecutive.

Experience Experience should be detailed in consecutive blocks of 3 months or more. Not allowed to count any experience gained whilst registered as a student on an intensive one year masters degree. The Licentiate can only start counting their experience as eligible after successful completion of this type of degree. Full and part time experience gained alongside a part time degree is acceptable. Experience gained whilst on a sandwich year or vacation placement may also be counted.

The Mentoring Relationship Important part of the APC. Mentor is not like a line manager – best if slightly removed. Challenges candidate to encourage reflection and analytical thinking. Must be familiar with the competencies and guidance. Use their knowledge to guide candidate. Should offer positive critique of the application. Confidential relationship.

Tips for a successful application: Read the guidance. Hold the relevant level and amount of experience. Demonstrate ALL the assessment criteria. Focus on PDP. Use the resources available to you. Select your case studies carefully. Be critical. Reference the submission to the logbook. Proof read and check your submission. Start early.

The Membership Team Martine Koch Head of Membership Hilary Lush Senior Membership Advisor Jenny Tyler Senior Membership Advisor Robin Bates Professional Development and Membership Officer Quentin Wood Membership Officer Diana Tudureanu PSD Administrator Phone: +44 (0)20 7929 9494 Email: membership@rtpi.org.uk Website: www.rtpi.org.uk You can find various RTPI groups and contacts on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Thank You!