What’s involved in the FSP credentialing process?
The FSP credential involves rigorous peer review of candidates’ capabilities demonstrated in the workplace and benchmarked against industry-agreed standards, known as the Capability Framework.
To gain the FSP designation candidates prepare a Professional Portfolio that contains evidence of the practical application of professional behaviour, skills and technical knowledge to workplace activities.
Evidence reports along with any professional development activities to address technical knowledge gaps, are recorded on the FSP portal by candidates. Candidates’ supervisors provide guidance and feedback throughout the process.
When completed, candidates submit their Professional Portfolio to a panel of senior Finsia members for assessment Candidates are then recommended to the Credential Admissions Board who award the FSP.
Successful candidates are recommended to the Credential Admissions Board who award the FSP.
How do I demonstrate my knowledge, skills and experience?
Candidates use two tools to record and demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience
- Neutral evidence reports (NER) record work-based experiences to demonstrate professional behaviour and skills application
- Personal development plans (PDP) record technical knowledge.Self assessment diagnostic tools identify any knowledge gaps and the PDP records development activities undertaken to fill knowledge gaps.
The NER and the PDP are the two key components of the Professional Portfolio which when completed are assessed by the Assessment Panel.
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How can I identify any gaps in my skills or knowledge?
There are two ways to identify skills and knowledge gaps.
- A self-assessment diagnostic tool is used to identify any technical knowledge gaps
- An industry-developed Capability Framework allows candidates, with assistance from their supervisors, to benchmark workplace achievements described in their neutral evidence reports.
What is the Capability Framework?
An industry-developed Capability Framework performs two roles in the credentialing process. Firstly, it describes the core capabilities that candidates are expected to demonstrate in the workplace. Secondly, it is one of the two assessment tools used to benchmark work-based experience described in the Professional Portfolio
The Capability Framework is made up of capability modules, capability elements, indicative actions and knowledge areas.
- Capability modules are broad topics under which related capability elements are grouped.
- Capability elements describe the type of behaviour, skill or knowledge candidates must demonstrate.
- Indicative actions provide examples of activities candidates complete to achieve competency in the capability element.
- Knowledge areas provide candidates with details on the areas of study required to achieve competency in the capability element.
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What is the Professional Portfolio?
The Professional Portfolio is made up of Neutral Evidence Reports (NER) and Professional Development Plans (PDP). NERs outline work-based examples that demonstrate professional behaviour and skill application, measured against the Capability Framework. Internal verifiers confirm the accuracy of NERs. Supervisors provide feedback on the evidence prepared. PDPs record any technical knowledge gaps identified through the self-assessment diagnostic tool along with development activities required to address
these gaps.
Together the NERs and the PDPs are used to record work-based experience and claim corresponding capability achievement. When completed, candidates submit their Professional Portfolio to a panel of senior Finsia members for assessment.
What are Neutral Evidence Reports (NER)?
Neutral Evidence Reports (NER) are used to record candidates’ work-based experience and claim corresponding capability elements outlined in the Capability Framework. They contain evidence of professional behaviour and skill application. NERs describe workplace activities directly involving clients or workplace activities that outline examples of industry contribution or collegial behaviour. The Capability Framework is used to assess the NERs presented in the Professional Portfolio.
NERs are recorded on the FSP portal as part of the Professional Portfolio.
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How many Neutral Evidence Reports (NER) do I need to complete for the FSP?
To meet the requirements for the FSP, a minimum of five NERs must be submitted, describing five different clients. There is no maximum number of NERs.
When should I submit a Neutral Evidence Report (NER)?
Prior to formally submitting a NER on the FSP portal, candidates are advised to get feedback from their supervisor. The feedback will help determine if the work-based evidence sufficiently meets the capabilities being claimed. Once submitted, candidates cannot make further changes to the NER.
What are Professional Development Plans (PDP)?
A Professional Development Plan (PDP) identifies development activities that must be completed to address any technical knowledge gaps identified by the self-assessment diagnostic tools.
To complete the diagnostic tool, candidates logon to the FSP Portal and complete the multiple choice questions in the specified time. Once submitted the diagnostic is automatically marked. The FSP Portal will generate a PDP if candidates have not met all the required technical knowledge capabilities in the diagnostic tool.
Candidates should seek feedback from their supervisors when selecting appropriate development activities to address technical knowledge gaps, and prior to formally submitting a PDP as part of their Professional Portfolio.
What is the FSP Portal?
The FSP Portal is an online platform used to record and collate work-based evidence that demonstrates candidates’ professional behaviour and skill application capabilities in the form of Neutral Evidence Reports (NER).
Diagnostic self-assessment tools assist candidates to identify any technical knowledge gaps they may have.
Candidates logon to the Portal to complete the multiple choice questions within the specified time. When completed, the FSP Portal generates a Professional Development Plan (PDP) if candidates have not met all the required technical knowledge capabilities. The candidates then identify and complete suitable development activities, which are recorded on the Portal.
Candidates should seek feedback from their supervisors when selecting development activities to address technical knowledge gaps prior to formally submitting a PDP as part of their Professional Portfolio.
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