Continuing Professional Development
With ever changing legislative measures, it is clearly essential
that members keep up to date and also advance their skills. Article
5 of the Code of Professional Conduct refers to the necessity to
remain technically competent and keep abreast of developments in
specified areas of professional expertise.
For this reason, the compulsory Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) Scheme was introduced to the Society. This scheme
is intended to be flexible to Members' circumstances, via
self-certification and random audit.
This is to ensure that members maintain a high standard of
professional practice and so protect the interests of their clients
and the Society.
In order to help Members maintain this high standard of
professional practice, the Society has comprehensive education
schemes for members in England and Wales and those working in the
"low tax" offshore jurisdictions.
To learn more about the specific educational programmes
provided, please visit the 'Advanced Professional Development
Courses' in the education section of the website.
The Difference between 'Structured' and 'Unstructured'
Training
Definition of Structured Training:
- Attendance at conferences, seminars, workshops, discussion
meetings or similar events involving active contributions
- Preparation of lectures or other forms of presentation
- Writing books, articles or reviews
- All learning media involving interaction with other individuals
or completion of interactive printed material by an authorised
provider, whether or not in conjunction with video support
(including group research; listening to audio tapes; viewing videos
and television programmes; using video discs and computer-based
training packages)
Definition of Unstructured Training:
- Reading
- Research
- Any other form of learning where there is no interaction with
other individuals. This would include the use of learning media as
above where undertaken on a personal basis.
Full details of the CPD requirements can be found in the
Continuing Professional
Development Guidelines and CPD Record Sheet.
STEP Sets the Standard in Will Writing Education
02 September 2010
A brand new Certificate for 2011, the STEP Certificate in Will Preparation has been developed at the level of the STEP Diploma, the gold standard in the field of trusts and estates education.