CSP extends PLI cover to students on placement with independent practitioners

CSP has been working with its insurance broker, James Hallam, to update its policies and usher in this change, in response to the huge disruption to practice placements that has occurred since the pandemic started.  

Sara Conroy, CSP professional adviser, explains: ‘We have been working hard to ensure that student placements continue, that students can graduate on time and that the profession continues to grow.  

As “traditional’ placement models have become a thing of the past we want to encourage all physiotherapists, regardless of sector or role to consider how they could help – and this includes the independent sector

This has led to countless success stories, but as CSP examined the practicalities, it also became apparent that self-employed/sole trader physiotherapists faced additional barriers, which may have prevented them from offering student placements. 

This is because independent practitioners are usually required to provide their own employer liability insurance to cover any accidents or mishaps that their employees may sustain at work as a result of negligence.

As a result, they previously had to take out additional insurance cover if they wanted to take students on placement. This additional cost created a barrier to their participation, so CSP has taken steps to provide a solution - by extending the public liability component of its insurance scheme to cover students while they are working in these scenarios. 

A wonderful opportunity for independent practitioners 

Responding to the CSP’s extended insurance cover for students, Karen Lay, chairman of Physio First said: ‘This is fabulous news for private practice, as taking students is an asset to any practice. We are working hard at the details for these opportunities so watch out for more news.’ 

Ms Conroy added that the ability for more independent practitioners to offer student placements would prove to be of benefit to both the profession and self-employed businesses. There is more information on this here.   

‘The expertise and opportunities that independent practitioners can offer are immense, so we would urge all independent physiotherapists to consider how they can help alleviate the current placement crisis,’ she said. 

Remember to think differently, as placements can be designed around your pattern of work. They can also be a mix of clinical and project work, or involve several educators, and local HEIs can help develop a viable option