1. Royal Town Planning Institute Dr Holly McLaren Education Officer

2. How can the RTPI help you as a member of the planning profession? Chartered membership

3. What are the characteristics of a profession? Why do we need professional institutes?

4. Characteristics of a profession Extensive period of education Specialist body of knowledge Testing of competence Code of professional conduct or ethics Exclusion, monopoly and legal recognition Work autonomy (independent thinking and judgement) Status Mobility Public service and altruism

5. What are the characteristics of a profession? Why do we need professional institutes?

6. Professional Institutes Set and maintain standards of training and ethics – Develop and monitor professional education programmes – Provide CPD and lifelong learning – Operate a Code of Professional Conduct Provide support for individuals engaged in that profession – Member services – Member engagement – Collective voice Act as learned societies for the advancement of the profession Public benefit

7. The RTPI’s work includes… Promoting good planning Developing and shaping policy affecting the built environment Developing and maintaining professional standards in planning Education and training for planners Supporting our membership

8. Supporting your Career MRPTI Networking Planners in the Workplace Learning Partners

9. RTPI West of Scotland Event Schedule 2012 MonthEvent March 2012Failing High Streets - Reviving Town Centres April 2012 Being a Planner: Getting a job, loving your job, leaving your job! May 2012Knockroon – A Successful New Community? June 2012Joint event with Scottish Young Planners Network July 2012 Aug 2012Sport and Regeneration Sept 2012 Urban Design Week Event Public Outreach Event – Glasgow Doors Open Day Oct 2012Policy Event Nov 2012WoS Quiz and Networking Event

10. Supporting your Career MRPTI Networking Planners in the Workplace Learning Partners

11. Skills and knowledge Accredited university courses Professional levels of membership Training events CPD and the Code of Professional Conduct Partners

12. Shaping the profession Leading on policy debates Lobbying Consultations Networks

13. How do I become a member?

14. The path to membership Student Member ( FREE student membership in final year of accredited pathway) Licentiate Member MANDATORY Chartered Member (MRTPI)

15. To apply for chartered membership… You need 24 months (440 full days) spatial planning experience minimum You must be a licentiate member for at least one year You must complete your Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)

16. The Assessment of Professional Competence [APC] The APC asks you to demonstrate that you work at a suitable professional level to justify election to Chartered status. It is designed to build on the skills, knowledge and understanding that you have developed during your qualification and to test your ability to apply these in practice.

17. APC Composition Log book – a reflective record of work undertaken Written submission of 5000 words Practical experience statement (1000 words) Professional Competence statement (2500 words) Professional development plan (1500 words)

18. The purpose of the Log book Charts how you’ve developed over time Supports your final submission for assessors Supports job applications/appraisals DateNature 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?

19. Eligible experience for the APC You need to evidence 24 months minimum spatial planning experience At least 12 months of this must be after Licentiate election Experience gained whilst studying part-time does count, as does experience gained on a sandwich year. Experience gained whilst studying on a full-time, one year Masters doesn’t count. Nor does experience of less than three months Quality of work experience is important – ability to exercise independent professional judgement It’s not a race! 24 months is the minimum

20. DateNature 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? May 09 July 10 Oct 10 Processing planning applications Site visits Contacted consultant with regard to listed building regulations. Research, delivering – making it happen, communication Data-communication, investigation and research, quantitative and qualitative analysis and appraisal Research – finding a consultant Planning Law That it is useful to have first hand knowledge of a site involved in an application The limits of my own responsibility for specialist applications Further knowledge of planning law None – successfully achieved all elements of visit More knowledge of listed building regulations

21. DateNature 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? May 09Case officer for application for change of use of A1 use shop to mortgage advisor within the protected retail frontage area of the town centre. This application was contentious as there had apparently been pre- app discussions from the LPA advising that the application was acceptable, however the percentage of frontage allowed to be non-A1 was already over the threshold allowed at 25% so I recommended that application be refused. It was called into Committee and was refused as per officer recommendation. This application furthered my report writing skills and both diplomatic discussion and also diplomatic writing in the presentation of the case. It also improved my skills at identifying areas for engaging with other departments and multi- disciplinary working. In this case I spoke with economic regeneration to establish whether the property had been for long enough to consider re- visiting the wording of the policy or whether and A1 use could be easily found and we should continue with such rigid protection of the shops in this particular location. I gained a deeper understanding of the town centre retail policies, including government guidance, and a much better understanding of the overarching rationale behind these. I was also reminded once more of the importance of the pre- application advice; this was an instance where the LPA had possibly given misleading and inconsistent advice, leading to an awkward path for the application and a difficult situation for me as the final case officer. I would like to further develop my skills at identifying situations in which other departments within the council or other external bodies can add information to consider in making a recommendation, for example, the economic and regeneration dept here. I would like to be able to further draw on these outside skills and pools of further information. I feel I handled the possible misinformation situation here well through negotiation, discussion etc. however the management of misinformation is a skill I would like to further. I recommended that the application be refused. It was called into committee and was refused as per officer recommendation. I feel I handled the possible mis- information situation here well through negotiation, discussion etc. however the management of mis-information is a skill I would like to further.

22. Written submission Practical experience statement (1000 words) Professional Competence statement (2500 words) Professional development plan (1500 words)

23. Assessment criteria 1An understanding of context 2An ability to identify and analyse issues 3Competence in gathering appropriate information 4Competence in identifying and evaluating strategies 5Competence in initiating action to implement strategies or dissemination and application of knowledge (research experience) 6Engagement in a process of monitoring and review 7An awareness of the legal framework political and ethical challenges RTPI Code of Professional Conduct

24. Written submission Practical experience statement (1000 words) Professional Competence statement (2500 words) Professional development plan (1500 words)

25. What could I be doing now? Become a student member and get involved with the RPTI! Start recording your work in a log book Find a mentor Look at the assessment criteria Read the RTPI Code of Professional conduct Start drafting a professional development plan

26. Finally… As soon as you have written confirmation that you’ve passed your course…apply for licentiate membership!

27. For further information The Membership Team membership@rtpi.org.uk Tel: 0207 929 9464 www.rtpi.org.uk