What does ARCP mean in UNCLASSIFIED

An Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) is an annual review process that assesses the competency levels of professionals in a variety of healthcare roles. The ARCP evaluates and reviews the individual's ability to safely practice over the course of twelve months and provides evidence for any progression or development within their role.

ARCPs are undertaken by specialist professional regulators such as the General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

ARCPs are usually carried out every 12 months, but this may vary depending upon the professional regulator involved and the specific type of registration.

During an ARCP, your progress over the past 12 months will be assessed against set standards relevant to your profession. Your performance in achieving specific objectives over this period of time will be reviewed. You may also be required to provide further evidence of your performance such as patient or service user feedback, observations from colleagues or supervisors, or details of additional training courses you have attended.

If you do not meet all the necessary standards during your ARCP, it may result in restrictions being placed on your practice such as suspension or cancellation of registration or removal from certain areas of work. In some cases, where significant concerns are identified about a registrant’s practice, they may be required to undertake additional training to enable them to progress towards full re-registration.

Although it is not necessarily mandatory for you to seek legal advice prior to attending an ARCP, it may be beneficial for you to do so in order to ensure that you understand all elements relating to the process and that you have someone there with experience in dealing with such matters who can advise you throughout the process.

Yes, you have a right to appeal any decision made at an ARCP meeting should you disagree with a conclusion reached regarding your performance. You will need to make sure that your grounds for appeal relate specifically to breach(es) of procedure rather than disputing the facts presented at meeting itself and/or their interpretation within reasonable judgement as these decisions cannot normally be challenged through appeal proceedings.

A key part of preparing yourself before attending an ARPC is ensuring that all necessary documentation needed has been gathered prior eto entering into proceedings such as patient/service user feedback forms, transcripts from meetings held with supervisors etc.. It is also important that thorough research is conducted into any criteria specific relevant regulatory guidance so that you can demonstrate knowledge and understanding surrounding these requirements when questioned by panellists.