Animation explains new standardised way of assessing student placements

CPAF is a standard assessment for student physios  and is being adopted by universities from this term.

The animation explains:

For physiotherapy practice educators, there are many different assessment forms to get familiar with, and this poses a problem because not only does it make it harder to take students from different universities, it can also impact on a student’s placement experience

CPAF assesses the core physiotherapy skills for our future workforce that are applicable across all practice settings.  It can be used in whatever the placement and wherever physiotherapists work; whether patient-facing or not, and whether students are supervised remotely, in-person or a mix of the two.

CSP teamed up with universities in all regions of the UK to develop the new form, with the aim of creating a better experience for practice educators and their students. It has also had input from practice educators to ensure what has been produced is both practical and user friendly. The process has involved lots of student input with the guidance document being written by students on placement at the CSP to really help explain the parts of CPAF and what they mean on a daily basis on placement.

It aims to develop the core skills of the future workforce by assessing factors such as how students listen, question, gather and analyse information, collaborate with others and motivate those around them. Importantly, it also assesses how students consider the diversity and differences of individuals, communities and populations in all practice settings.

With the new form, students should have more control of their development, helping to create a richer learning experience.