Annual Review of Competence

Progression (ARCP) Requirements

Guidance – for trainees on 2016
Foundation Programme
Curriculum
Valid until September 2022

England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales

UK
Foundation
Programme

August 2021
 UK Foundation Programme 2021-22 ARCP Guidance for 2016 Curriculum

Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2
Requirements for 2021-22 ................................................................................................... 3
Key Contacts ........................................................................................................................ 5

Requirements for trainees on 2016 Foundation

Programme curriculum for ARCPs taking place
between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2022

Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to outline requirements to support foundation trainees subjected to the
extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve successful completion of the
Foundation Programme.

The requirements stated in this guide only apply to trainees who remain under the 2016
Foundation Programme curriculum for the 2021-22 training year, because their training continues
from the 2020-21 training year (that is, trainees who are “out of sync” with the standard training
rotations).
Please note: This guidance does not apply to any trainee who started either their F1 or F2
year on/after 4 August 2021, as they will be on the 2021 Foundation Programme curriculum.

The aim of the requirements set out in this guide is to:

➢ reduce stress for foundation trainees around ARCP requirements
➢ set clear requirements for trainers, reducing administrative burden and reducing time away from
clinical work as the pandemic continues
➢ ensure that any doctor who is functioning at the appropriate standard receives a successful
outcome
➢ minimise number of outcome 5s to reduce workload for panels
➢ ensure that we identify F1 doctors who at this time have not reached the required standard for
full registration and need ongoing support
➢ ensure that we identify F2 doctors who at this time have not reached the required standard to
progress beyond the Foundation Programme

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 UK Foundation Programme 2021-22 ARCP Guidance for 2016 Curriculum

Requirements for 2021-22

The requirements below apply pro-rata for trainees working less than full time, as per standard
process.

Please note: this document does NOT apply to those trainees who were awarded an
outcome 3 or outcome 10.2 at an ARCP March-July 2021.
These trainees should have individual requirements decided by their ARCP panel, which
should be explicitly and clearly stated on their ARCP outcome form.

Requirement Grade Usual Standard 2021-22 Standard Change from

usual standard?
Completion of 12 F1 & The maximum permitted The maximum permitted Yes
months F1 F2 absence from training, absence from training, other
training (taking other than annual leave, is than annual leave, is 20 days
account of 20 days (when the doctor (when the doctor would
allowable would normally be at work) normally be at work) within
absence) within each 12 month each 12 month period of the
period of the foundation foundation programme.
programme. Where a Where a doctor’s absence
doctor’s absence goes goes above 20 days, this will
above 20 days, this will trigger a review by the
trigger a review of whether Foundation School Director
they need to have an extra or deputy who will decide
period of training whether they need to have an
extra period of training based
on their overall
performance

A satisfactory F1 & A satisfactory educational A satisfactory* educational No

educational F2 supervisor’s end of year supervisor’s end of year
supervisor’s end report report**
of year report
* If the doctor has not
satisfactorily completed one
placement but has been making
good progress in other respects,
it may still be appropriate to
confirm that the doctor has met
the requirements for satisfactory
completion of F1/F2. The last
end of placement report must be
satisfactory.

** In Scotland – a satisfactory
end of year report by FPTD

Educational F1 & Required for 1st & 2nd Required for 1st & 2nd posts No
supervisor’s end F2 posts
of placement (ES/FPTD end of year report
reports required for last placement)

Clinical F1 & Required for all posts Required for all posts No
supervisor’s end F2
of placement
reports

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 UK Foundation Programme 2021-22 ARCP Guidance for 2016 Curriculum

Requirement Grade Usual Standard 2021-22 Standard Change from

usual standard?
Satisfactory F1 & Mandatory to be signed off Mandatory to be signed off by No
completion of all F2 by ES ES
FP curriculum
outcomes
Team F1 & Minimum of one Minimum of one satisfactory No
assessment of F2 satisfactory TAB TAB
behaviour (TAB)
Core procedures F1 Mandatory all 15 GMC Mandatory all 15 GMC No
only mandated procedures mandated procedures

Direct F1 & Minimum of nine Minimum of six observations Yes

observation of F2 observations per year; at per year; at least four must
doctor/patient least six must be mini- be mini-CEX
interaction (Mini CEX
CEX/DOPS)
Case-based F1 & Minimum of six per year / Minimum of four per year Yes
discussion (CBD) F2 two per placement
Developing the F1 & Minimum of one per year Not mandatory Yes
clinical teacher F2
Successful F1 The F1 doctor must The F1 doctor must provide No
completion of the provide evidence that they evidence that they have
Prescribing have passed the PSA passed the PSA within the
Safety within the last two years last two years
Assessment
(PSA)
A valid F1 The F1 doctor must have If F1 doctor does not have Yes
Immediate Life a valid ILS (or equivalent) valid ILS (or equivalent)
Support (or certificate, or if the certificate, ES must make
equivalent) certificate has expired, it statement in end of year
certificate may be appropriate to report that trainee has
accept evidence that the demonstrated the
doctor has booked to knowledge and skills
attend a refresher course required to complete ILS
(or equivalent)
A valid Advanced F2 The F2 doctor must have If F2 doctor does not have Yes
Life Support (or a valid ALS (or equivalent) valid ALS certificate (or
equivalent) certificate equivalent), ES must make
certificate statement in end of year
report that trainee has
demonstrated the
knowledge and skills
required to complete ALS
(or equivalent)
Evidence of F1 Shows evidence of Shows evidence of Yes
participation in involvement in quality understanding of or
systems of improvement initiatives in involvement in quality
quality assurance healthcare improvement initiatives in
and quality healthcare
improvement
projects
Evidence of F2 Contributes significantly to Shows evidence of Yes
participation in at least one quality understanding of or
systems of improvement project contribution to quality
quality assurance including: improvement projects
and quality Data collection (ES/FPTD must make a
specific comment on the

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 UK Foundation Programme 2021-22 ARCP Guidance for 2016 Curriculum

Requirement Grade Usual Standard 2021-22 Standard Change from

usual standard?
improvement Analysis and/or work done by trainee in
projects presentation of findings End of year report)
Implementation of
recommendations

An acceptable F1 & The foundation doctor The foundation doctor must Yes
attendance F2 must attend a minimum of attend a minimum of 45
record at generic 60 hours (during 12 hours (during 12 months pro-
foundation months pro-rata) of rata) of teaching during their
teaching teaching during their F1 F1 and their F2 rotation;
sessions and their F2 rotation. At there is no requirement for
least 30 hours (during 12 this to have been a specific
months pro-rata) must be type of teaching
core foundation teaching

NB. Where a foundation doctor’s rotation was changed due to the COVID-19 situation, there
should be no penalty for repeating a specialty or being able to complete a community post.

Key Contacts
Trainees on the 2016 Foundation Programme curriculum are advised to speak with their
Educational Supervisor and/or Foundation Programme Training Director (FPTD) for advice on the
revised ARCP requirements for 2021-22. Local education providers should discuss any queries
with their foundation school team.

For general queries and further information, please contact the UK Foundation Programme Office
(UKFPO) via the helpdesk: [email protected].