Alternative content

The Portfolio Assessment route provides formal recognition of competencies for those already working at a senior level either as generalists or defined specialists.

Assessment for Defined Specialists (Retrospective Portfolio Assessment)

The Defined Arm of the Register was opened in June 2006. Entry to the register will be based on knowledge and experience, demonstrated against ten key areas of competence. Each applicant completes a portfolio demonstrating that they have the required knowledge base in public health, that they know how to apply this knowledge and that they can demonstrate application in their public health practice (“knowledge” and “shows how”). This will be submitted to the multidisciplinary Registration Panel. The framework for the retrospective portfolio assessment process will be reviewed in 2010. It is anticipated that as there are as yet no prospective standard training programmes, this will remain an important route to the Defined Arm of the Register for some considerable time.

Click here to apply for the Defined Specialist Arm of the Public Health Register

Recognition of Specialist Status (Retrospective Portfolio Assessment)

Prospective training programmes exist in only three out of the four UK countries at the current time. It is envisaged that this route to the General arm of the Register will continue to be required for those who for reasons have been unable to avail themselves of a standard training and education programme. The Board requires that those who wish to apply for Recognition of Specialist Status have to justify submissions via this route. As indicated earlier this is for those already in senior positions. Normally an applicant will have held a senior public health post for several years which will have involved the applicant in making independent professional judgements as part of that role.

The two above mentioned routes are operated directly by the Register Board, through its existing panel of assessors.

Developmental Portfolio Assesment

The UKPHR Board approved this new route in January 2009. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health will be responsible for the management of the route. It uses the same assessment process as for the other two portfolio routes, but is a series of portfolio submissions that, over time, demonstrates that the applicant has the required competencies of a defined specialist. At the initial submission, the applicant will indicate how they meet some of the required competencies and if successful these are banked. The applicant will be required to submit a structured progressive plan for satisfying the remaining competencies.

For more information regarding the Developmental route visit the CIEH website.