CSP launches Common Placement Assessment Form pilot

The CPAF, which is aimed at providing a consistent and standardised approach to the assessment of student physiotherapists on practice placement, has been co-created with experts in practice-based learning from universities, as well as with students.

Tamsin Baird, CSP professional adviser, said:

This standardised form is designed for placement students from any university in any practice setting, making it much easier for practice educators to take students from different institutions.

‘And, because the learning outcomes focus on the development of fundamental skills – such as communication, problem solving, gathering and analysing information and promoting equality and diversity – it is applicable in any placement environment.’

Expanding the variety of placement settings

Accommodating and actively encouraging diversity in placement settings, both patient facing and non-patient facing, has been key to the CPAF’s design, as Tamsin explains:

‘The pandemic has proved to be a catalyst to expand the variety of placement settings including remote, research and project based opportunities. Assessment paperwork needs to support this.’

The CPAF puts student at the centre of their learning, supporting ownership and reflection throughout the placement duration and acknowledging any factors that may impact on this.

It accommodates both ‘graded’ and ‘pass/fail’ assessments, depending on university requirements.

The pilot phase is open until the end of March 2021. All universities in the UK are eligible to take part and are invited to complete a short online survey within the form to evaluate its use.

Feedback from the pilot phase will inform further development ahead of a full roll-out.

To take part email learninganddevelopment@csp.org.uk