CPD awards: How to fund your learning

Formal learning events such as courses and conferences are traditionally the mainstay of continuing professional development at the CSP. In this financial climate, it can be difficult to find funding to finance these opportunities. This article is the first of two in which we will look at learning from such events and the process of applying for an award to fund formal learning. 

The CSP Charitable Trust (CSPCT) actively supports members’ learning and development by offering a number of education awards. There are three main awards on offer: the Academically Accredited Courses award; the Conference and Presentation award; and the Education and Development Placements award.

 

These awards are open to all CSP members and the call for applications opens twice each year – in January and June. The awards are managed on behalf of the CSPCT by the Education Awards Panel (EAP). The panel is made up of nine CSP members and is currently chaired by consultant physiotherapist Chris Mercer.  

Submitting an application might seem daunting but it is a straightforward process. Feedback from members confirms that the benefits outweigh the energy it takes – as respiratory team lead Hannah Goddard explains.

 

Applications for an education award are submitted and processed through the CSP’s Learning Hub. The online application asks for a 500-word justification statement that explains how learning from participating in an accredited course, a conference or overseas placement/project:

 

The process of submitting an application for an education award is a learning opportunity in itself. The form provides applicants with a space for critical reflection, while the guidance and marking criteria will help you to build and communicate a reasoned argument to back up your case. If your application is successful, you will be required to submit a feedback form to the EAP. The act of setting down your thoughts in this way will help you to reflect on the impact of the award on your development. 

If you have found a learning opportunity that fits the criteria, log into the CSP’s Learning Hub and subscribe to an education award eBite. Use the content to draft your application. The next article will offer guidance on how learning from a formal event can meet the needs of you and your service.  

 

I have been a member of the Education Awards Panel for the last two years and recently took over as chair. The committee is made up of CSP members from different backgrounds, including people who work in academia, research, management and clinical practice. This diversity gives us a dynamic committee and plenty of interesting discussion. 

 

We have recently recruited new members to the committee and hope to be joined by a lay member soon. I’m excited to be working with a very experienced new group. 

 

The bulk of our role is to review and score applications – usually 50 to 60 applications in each round – and then to agree on which will be funded. We also work on developing new awards and opportunities for members. Watch this space for future developments. 

 

The quality and number of applications we receive is increasing significantly and we look forward to seeing your submissions in the years ahead.

 

Last year, I played a pivotal role in a joint service development project with David McWilliams, clinical specialist physiotherapist at Birmingham University NHS Trust. The project encouraged staff on the intensive care unit (ICU) at South Warwickshire Foundation Trust to transfer ventilated patients out of bed much earlier than usual. 

 

The project was challenging, but worked to promote multidisciplinary working and a shift towards a culture of rehabilitation among ICU staff. 

 

We worked together to prepare a paper that was accepted for presentation at the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine conference 2017 in Vienna. 

 

I applied for a CSPCT Conference and Presentation award to support my visit to Vienna and was absolutely delighted to receive funding. The whole experience was significant as I had little experience of research or of participating in an international conference. I am extremely thankful to the CSPCT for allowing me that opportunity.