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Core psychiatry · CT1 to CT3

ARCP decision aid

Count your workplace-based assessments against the numbers your ARCP panel expects, and see exactly what is left.

Choose your training year, then add each assessment as it is signed off in your portfolio. The targets are the College's recommended numbers from the Silver Guide.

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Your training year

0 of 16 CT1 assessments done · 16 to go

Build the routine. Start collecting evidence early and arrange psychotherapy and supervised ECT opportunities.

Print to keep a copy. This helps you prepare; your ARCP panel decides the outcome.

Your CT1 workplace-based assessments

The recommended number of each for CT1, from the Silver Guide, Appendix 4. Agree the mix and timing with your supervisor, and spread them across the year rather than leaving them to the last month.

  • ACEFull clinical assessment: a whole new-patient assessment, observed.
    2 to go (0 of 2)
  • Mini-ACEFocused clinical assessment: part of an assessment, observed.
    4 to go (0 of 4)
  • CbDCase-based discussion of a patient you have looked after.
    4 to go (0 of 4)
  • CbDGACase-based discussion group assessment: your part in a case discussion (Balint) group.
    2 to go (0 of 2)
  • Case presentationA case you present at a meeting, assessed.
    1 to go (0 of 1)
  • MSFMulti-source feedback (Mini-PAT) from the people you work with.
    2 to go (0 of 2)
  • Journal club presentationA paper you present and appraise at journal club, assessed.
    1 to go (0 of 1)

No set number in CT1: PACE, SAPE. DoPS, teaching assessments and non-clinical assessments have no annual count; use them where they fit.

Across core training

Counted once from CT1 to CT3, not afresh each year. 0 of 6 met.

  • ECT DoPSDirect observation of procedural skills while giving ECT with a trained clinician. At least two recommended.
    2 to go (0 of 2)
  • Addiction CbDsCase-based discussions overseen by an Addiction Psychiatry Tutor. Two recommended.
    2 to go (0 of 2)
  • Psychotherapy short caseSigned off by your Medical Psychotherapy Tutor.
    1 to go (0 of 1)
  • Psychotherapy long caseSigned off by your Medical Psychotherapy Tutor.
    1 to go (0 of 1)
  • On-call shiftsOr equivalent. The recommended guide by the end of core training.
    55 to go (0 of 55)
  • Emergency casesIndividual cases seen out of hours, logged in your experience log.
    50 to go (0 of 50)

0 of 11 other evidence items ticked

The rest of your CT1 evidence

Reports and records to have in your portfolio this year.

  • 2 PSRs

    Arrange these with your placement supervisors and check that both completed reports are in your portfolio.

  • 1 ESR

    Book your review early enough for your educational supervisor to review the evidence and finish the report before the deadline.

  • Agree your personal development plan (PDP) at the start of each post. Update it as you work through your goals and review it in supervision.

  • Keep examples from throughout the year, including what you would do differently. Bring them to supervision and link them to your development plan.

  • Keep your experience log up to date and ask your supervisors to describe your emergency psychiatry skills in their reports.

  • Keep a record of teaching you delivered and the feedback you received. Include evidence of taking part in clinical, psychiatric and educational supervision.

  • Keep evidence of both: for example, a journal-club appraisal and a record of your involvement in research. Agree suitable opportunities with your supervisor.

  • Keep evidence of quality-improvement training, participation in a quality-improvement project, or involvement in a clinical audit.

Before you finish core training

Plan these from CT1.

  • Required before ST4

    All three MRCPsych exam components must be passed before you enter ST4. Keep the results in your portfolio.

  • 6 months recommended

    A six-month post in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and/or intellectual disability psychiatry is recommended. Review your rotation with your training programme director.

  • Where applicable

    Where applicable, meet the requirements to apply for the relevant approval in your UK nation before ST4. Ask your programme team which course, experience and paperwork you need.

Before your portfolio deadline

  1. Check your local checklist. Confirm the submission date, forms and any extra requirements with your programme team. If you work less than full time or have had time out, agree which evidence period is being reviewed.
  2. Chase missing reports and assessments. Send your supervisors a short list of what is still outstanding: the counts above are that list.
  3. Make the evidence easy to find. Check dates, completed forms and links with your educational supervisor before submission.