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Continuing Competence Programme (CCP)

A Continuing Competence Programme (CCP) involves:

• Engaging in self-reflection to identify areas in need of attention.
• Developing learning objectives to address those needs.
• Drafting a learning plan to achieve the objectives.
• Implementing the learning plan.
• Completing a final review of progress against the original learning objectives.

A log book must be maintained throughout the year to record your CCP. This active and dynamic process supports ongoing competence through continual learning and review.

When applying to renew the Annual Practicing Certificate (APC), you must also declare compliance with the Board’s CCP requirements.

CCP participation must begin by 1 April each year with a self-reflective review and objective-setting for the upcoming year.

A copy of the full CCP programme can be downloaded here (CCP-Guide-for-Participants-120717.pdf)

Self-reflective review

At the beginning of each CCP year, conduct a self-reflective review of your current competence with reference to the Board’s prescribed core competencies and with the assistance of your supervisor. Note the date of the review in your log book.

Learning objectives

Develop learning objectives for those competencies requiring attention (as well as for any aspirational or employment-driven learning needs) and list them in your log book.

Note: A learning objective specifies what you intend to learn, e.g. “refresh my understanding of the Privacy Act”.

Learning plan

Devise a learning plan to achieve each of your objectives, and note completion of this step in your log book. You may also choose to briefly document your plan in your log book, but details of your plan will not be required for audit.

Note: A learning plan specifies how you intend to achieve the objective, e.g. by reading a book or attending a workshop.

Learning activities

Carry out your learning activities through the year, and make note of each of the activities you complete in your log book.

The range of activities that may contribute to continuing competence is broad and will differ depending on the stage of a practitioner’s career. For example, this breadth may encompass (but is not limited to) continuing education to consolidate and deepen knowledge, keeping abreast of emerging research, upgrading practice to match new developments, or personal therapy.

End-of-year reflection

Toward the end of the CCP year, work with your supervisor to critically review the impact of your learning activity on your original learning objectives. This will contribute to your next self-reflective review and the setting of learning goals for the subsequent cycle.

Note in your log book that a review of progress on your selected objectives has been undertaken. (You may choose to also briefly record the outcome of the review in your log book or to keep that fuller record in your supervision notes. Your notes on the year-end review will not be required for audit.)

Ongoing log book and retention of records

The CCP log book will record, at minimum:

• A note of the dates of key CCP activities, e.g. a review with a supervisor.
• The learning objectives identified.
• The activities undertaken to advance those objectives.

It may also list any additional objectives set and professional development activities undertaken.

Your log book can be kept in paper or electronic form, as long as it can readily be submitted for audit when requested. Please note that you must retain your CCP log book for a minimum of three years.

Audit process

Each year approximately 20% of APC applications will be audited for CCP participation. These will be either randomly selected (general audit) or from specifically targeted groups of practitioners (targeted audit).

The audit process and what it involves:

• If you are selected for audit, you will be required to submit your CCP log book within 15 working days of receiving the request.
• You will normally be notified (in writing) of the outcome of the audit within 15  working days.
• If you have only partially met the CCP’s requirements, the auditors will offer you feedback and guidance, and may arrange for you to be audited again the following year.
• Where you have not met the CCP’s requirements, individual assistance will be made available to you to make sure that you are on track with your CCP.
• In the unlikely event that a psychologist is unable or unwilling to provide the required documentation or otherwise declines to cooperate with the CCP audit, his or her registration may be suspended. [Refer s 43 of the HPCA Act.]