CSR FAQ's

When do I need a CSR completed?

You will need to have a CSR completed at the end of each non-primary care placement.
You will also need a CSR completed in your primary care placement if:

• Your named Clinical Supervisor is different to your Educational Supervisor (ES)
• The evidence in your Portfolio does not give a full enough picture of your progress and information from a CSR could provide this missing information, or
• Either you or your Supervisor feels it is appropriate.

The CSR provides important evidence about you to your ES and must be completed prior to your Educational Supervisor Report (ESR).

How to set up a CSR within your Portfolio:

Please be aware that protected time is needed for the assessment. Below are the steps to completing a CSR:

• Go to your Portfolio then find the CSR section within the Educational assessments area
• Choose the relevant Request assessment option depending on your role at the time 
• You will see an option either to choose an invite from your contacts list by selecting the bullet point in their name or you can Invite a new colleague by entering their details
• You will need to hit Invite
• An email will then be sent to the invitee providing a login code for the assessor to use to complete the ticketed CSR assessment form

What happens if I didn't complete my post due to absence or if I had to move post unexpectedly?
In this case, a CSR is especially important as it will help the ARCP panel determine whether a short post (less than 3 months) can count towards your overall training time. However, if you were only in a post for less than a month then you should contact your programme director as this post may not count and if this is the case, a CSR will not be necessary.

Who should complete my CSR?

Your named Clinical Supervisor in both non-primary and primary care posts should complete your CSR. If your Clinical Supervisor is also your ES in your primary care post then ideally another Clinical Supervisor in the practice should complete the CSR if it is required. If this this is not possible then your ES should also complete the CSR if it is needed in this scenario.

If I work less than full time in a one-year hospital placement, will I need a CSR after 6 months to use in my ESR?
Yes.

I have only spent a small amount of time with my Clinical Supervisor. Can I ask another Clinical Supervisor to complete my CSR?

No. Your named Clinical Supervisor must complete the assessment. However, your Clinical Supervisor is expected to seek the views of colleagues prior to completing the report.

Why are there three different versions of the CSR?

One is for use by hospital based Clinical Supervisors for trainees in non-primary care placements. The second is for use by GP Clinical Supervisors in primary care placements during ST1 and ST2. The third is for use by GP Clinical Supervisors in ST3 GP placements. The key difference is that in hospital placements you are assessed against the expected level for a GP trainee at the same stage in training, but in primary care placements you are assessed against a trainee at the point of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). The only difference between the two GP primary care forms is that the one for use in ST3 includes a fourth ‘Level of Supervision’ grade of ‘requires no supervision in their clinical role’ and one of the grades are worded slightly differently.

Does every section of the CSR need to be completed?

Yes.

I disagree with comments on my CSR. How can I get it changed?

It cannot be changed. If you wish to clarify a matter it is suggested you discuss it with your Clinical Supervisor and ES. If you wish for your comments to be recorded, you should write them as a reflective log entry and add to ‘Supporting Documentation’ and ask your ES to reference them in Educator Notes or in your ESR.

If level 1 or 2 of ‘Level of Supervision’ is ticked, why is referral to the Training Programme Director or Associate Dean required?
In this scenario, the local Training Programme Director or Associate Dean would be expected to make an assessment of your training needs and, if necessary, arrange appropriate support and write an educational plan. An ARCP panel may need to be triggered.

What is the difference between “significantly below expectations” and “below expectations”?
Please refer to ‘CSR with word descriptors for non-primary care placements’ where there are descriptors for a trainee performing significantly below or below expectations for each section.

I am a Clinical Supervisor and I have significant concerns about my trainee’s performance. Do I need to wait until the end of the post before completing the CSR and highlighting my concerns?

You should not wait until the end of the post to highlight if your trainee is performing significantly below expectations. You should contact your local GP Training Programme Director or Associate Dean and share your concerns. They may ask you to summarise your concerns in writing and may also ask you to do an early CSR.

I am a Clinical Supervisor and I have highlighted significant concerns about a trainee’s performance in the CSR. How can I be certain these will be acted upon? 

An Educational Supervisor’s report should be written every six months. This will involve reviewing that trainee’s CSR. However, if you have significant concerns you should contact your local GP Training Programme Director or Associate Dean.