Clinical Supervisor's Report (CSR)
- One CSR for every post, recording your performance against the capabilities seen in that post, completed before the ESR it informs.
- From August 2026 the ST1 and ST2 primary care CSR uses the same grading scale as hospital CSRs.
- Ask early: in the last month of a hospital post, consultants rotate and go on leave. Send a polite reminder with your ESR date.
- Reflect on the CSR in a log entry and carry actions into your PDP.
- Supplementary Supervisors' Report (SSR), optional from August 2026: feedback on non-clinical or simulation-based activities mapped to the capabilities. It does not replace a CSR. check current RCGP guidance
The numbers by year
| Requirement | ST1 | ST2 | ST3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Supervisor's Report (CSR) check current RCGP guidance | 1 per post | 1 per post | 1 per post |
| Supplementary Supervisors' Report (SSR) check current RCGP guidance | optional | optional | optional |
| Educational Supervisor's Review (ESR) check current RCGP guidance | 2 per year | 2 per year | 2 per year |
| ESR preparation and capability self-rating check current RCGP guidance | 1 per review | 1 per review | 1 per review |
| All 13 capabilities at licensing level by final ESR check current RCGP guidance | n/a | n/a | 13 of 13 at C or E |
Full time, per training year unless stated. Less than full time: per-year totals stay the same and each 6-month review needs a pro rata share; 6-monthly ESRs and 12-monthly certificates are not pro rata. Check with your deanery and educational supervisor.
Notes on these numbers
- Clinical Supervisor's Report (CSR), LTFT: One per post.
- Clinical Supervisor's Report (CSR), confidence: high (requirement); medium (ST3 GP post where ES is also CS - check locally). Our sources were partly secondary for this item: check current RCGP guidance.
- Supplementary Supervisors' Report (SSR), LTFT: n/a
- Supplementary Supervisors' Report (SSR), confidence: medium. Our sources were partly secondary for this item: check current RCGP guidance.
- Educational Supervisor's Review (ESR), LTFT: Not pro rata: every 6 calendar months regardless of LTFT percentage.
- Educational Supervisor's Review (ESR), confidence: high (6-monthly, LTFT not pro rata); medium (iESR rules and 2-month window, deanery-dependent). Our sources were partly secondary for this item: check current RCGP guidance.
- ESR preparation and capability self-rating, LTFT: Every ESR.
- ESR preparation and capability self-rating, confidence: medium. Our sources were partly secondary for this item: check current RCGP guidance.
- All 13 capabilities at licensing level by final ESR, LTFT: Same.
- All 13 capabilities at licensing level by final ESR, confidence: medium. Our sources were partly secondary for this item: check current RCGP guidance.
ESR timing
- Every 6 calendar months, full time or LTFT.
- The ESR before an ARCP must fall within the 2 calendar months before the panel; otherwise expect an addendum or a new ESR.
- An interim ESR is possible at the midpoint of a year only if progress is satisfactory. A full ESR is needed at least once a year, if there are concerns, or after a developmental outcome. Rules vary by deanery.
- CSRs for the period must be done first.
The rating scale
| Rating | What it means |
|---|---|
| Needs further development: below expectations | Behind most registrars at this stage |
| Needs further development: meets expectations | On track (the usual rating in ST1 and ST2) |
| Needs further development: above expectations | Ahead of most registrars at this stage |
| Competent for licensing | Ready for independent GP practice in this area |
| Excellent | Well beyond the licensing standard |
"Competent" means competent for licensing, not "competent for my stage". In ST1 and ST2 "meets expectations" is a good result. At the final ESR every capability must be Competent or Excellent.
How to do it well
Self-rating in three lines per capability
- Rating you think fits.
- Evidence: two or three specific items (log titles with dates, assessments, feedback).
- Next step: one development need for the next period.
Example: Team working, ST2
Needs further development, meets expectations. Evidence: CCR "Discharge without a medication plan" (I contacted the ward pharmacist and arranged a shared review); MSF themes on reliability; CbD on a palliative patient where I coordinated district nurse and hospice input. Next: lead an MDT discussion at the practice palliative care meeting.
Six weeks before the ESR
- Numbers checked against the minimums (pro rata if LTFT).
- All 13 capabilities evidenced this period; groups covered.
- CSR requested or done; MSF or PSQ closed.
- Certificates in date.
- PDP: completed objectives closed with evidence; new ones drafted.
- Self-rating drafted.
At the meeting
- Bring a one-page summary: strengths, gaps, plan (the helper below prints one).
- Ask: "What would stop you recommending a satisfactory outcome?"
- Raise health, personal or workload issues early.
- Read the ESR afterwards and add your comments if you disagree.
Free and private: everything stays in this browser. Do not enter patient-identifiable information.
Common ARCP pitfalls
- ESR more than 2 months before the panel.
- A missing CSR for a post.
- Self-ratings blank, or "Competent" in ST1 without evidence.
- Recommendations from the last ESR not shown in the PDP.