New CPD scheme to reflect OISC's greater focus on outcome based regulation
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) has today announced changes to the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) scheme.
You can read the full OISC press release here.
Under the changes, the requirement for set CPD hours per year has been removed and courses no longer need to be accredited by recognised CPD accrediting bodies.
The OISC says its new CPD scheme reflects the OISC's greater focus on outcome based regulation, while still requiring immigration advisers to take a professional and accountable approach to their CPD activities.
On the immediate changes, the OISC press release states:
"With immediate effect the OISC has removed the requirement for advisers to undertake a set number of CPD hours per year and also the requirement for advisers to record their CPD activity on the OISC CPD website."
It adds: "Until now, only courses accredited by recognised CPD accrediting bodies (e.g. the Bar Standards Board) have qualified for the OISC's CPD scheme. With immediate effect this will no longer be the case and you are free to choose who delivers your CPD. It will now be for advisers and organisations to assess the quality and value of the CPD they are going to undertake."
The CPD website will close on 30 September 2016.
From 1 April 2017, the OISC says a declaration will need to be made by an accountable person at an organisation confirming that each adviser has identified their CPD requirements and taken action to address them so as to maintain their competence.
In addition, OISC monitoring from 1 April 2017 this will be carried out through premises audits and spot checks.
Please see the full OISC press release at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-the-oiscs-cpd-scheme for further details.
As we reported in March, the OISC's new Code of Standards took effect from April and can be read here.