Paediatric and perinatal pathology CESR Portfolio Guide
Complete guide to the Paediatric and perinatal pathology Portfolio Pathway: 11 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), 13 evidence sections, and a 10-year currency window. Based on official GMC Specialty Specific Guidance, published by Royal College of Pathologists.
SSG Version: 07/02/2025
Capabilities in Practice (CiPs)
The Paediatric and perinatal pathology SSG defines 11 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) that Portfolio Pathway applicants must demonstrate competence in.
Able to function effectively within healthcare and other organisational and management systems to deliver consistent high-quality patient care.
Able to work within ethical and legal frameworks across all aspects of clinical practice.
Communicates effectively and is able to share decision making, while maintaining appropriate situational awareness, professional behaviour and professional judgement.
Maintains patient safety at the forefront of clinical working. Can utilise quality improvement activity realistically within the constraints of the role.
Able to contribute to and support research.
Behaves as an educator in the context of the role and promotes educational culture.
Able to self-appraise, learn and adapt.
Able to demonstrate leadership and management within the laboratory setting for the benefit of patient care.
Able to use laboratory and other services effectively in the investigation, diagnosis, and management of patients, relatives, and the deceased.
Able to manage and contribute to a multidisciplinary team effectively.
Able to take, manage and interpret pathological specimens accurately and safely, mindful of risks to self and others.
Evidence Requirements
The SSG specifies 13 evidence sections. Each section describes what evidence to provide and how to present it.
Evidence of training and qualifications
Evidence of your training as background evidence to see your whole career pathway.
What to provide
- Primary medical qualification (PMQ)
- Specialist medical qualification(s) (e.g. FRCPath)
- Recent specialist training curriculum or syllabus
- Other relevant qualifications and certificates
How to present
Authenticated copies of qualifications from outside the UK. Provide copies of certificates.
Evidence of employment in posts and duties
Evidence of employment history matching your CV.
What to provide
- CV
- Employment letters
- Job descriptions
How to present
Information must match CV. Do not need to see contracts and terms and conditions of employment.
Logbook or structured portfolio of evidence of professional experience
Evidence to indicate the breadth and volume of experience the applicant has had during their career.
What to provide
- Records of clinical consultations
- Participation in meetings
- Patient-related letters
- Patient lists
- Workload data
- Rotas
- Job plans/timetables
- Log of total number of supervised and independent reports undertaken
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1-11
ARCPs and training assessments
Records of periodic assessment undertaken during training.
What to provide
- ARCPs or equivalent
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1-11
Appraisals and assessments
Evidence of revalidation/appraisal documentation and workplace-based assessments.
What to provide
- Appraisal forms including appraisers comments and discussion
- Workplace-based assessments (WPBA)
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1-11
360° and multi-source feedback
Evidence of regular multi-source feedback or external or peer-review reports.
What to provide
- MSF report including feedback from clinical colleagues, other professions, and non-clinical colleagues
How to present
At least once for every five years of practice in the most recent 10 years. Mapped to CiPs 1-11
Management and leadership experience
Evidence of management activities, e.g. developing, delivering and managing a high-quality service.
What to provide
- Letters/emails from Clinical Directors
- Rotas
- Management training course certificates
- Minutes confirming contribution
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11
CPD record certificates, attendance, workshops and meetings
Evidence of life-long learning or CPD or CME.
What to provide
- Portfolio documenting CPD/CME
- Certificates of attendance for the five most relevant courses/conferences
- Annual summaries of CPD/CME activities
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11
Audits and quality improvement activity
Evidence of at least one complete cycle of audit/Qi activities undertaken.
What to provide
- Baseline measurement, intervention and further measurement
- Reflection to critically appraise outcome and impact
- Project report and documentation/protocols
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11
Reflective practice
High quality, detailed accounts of events that allow you to demonstrate independent practice.
What to provide
- Approximately 10 detailed reflections comprising scenarios of high complexity
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Service improvement and clinical governance
Evidence of participation in clinical governance activity.
What to provide
- Participation in an external quality assessment (EQA) scheme
- Engagement with service improvement activity
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11
Laboratory experience
Evidence of experience in the selection, validation and interpretation of laboratory tests.
What to provide
- Logbook of cases
- Medical reports
- Communications with clinical colleagues
- Minutes of MDT meetings
- Evidence of participation in interpretive EQA
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11
Consolidation, cumulative data sheets, summary lists and annual caseload statistics
Evidence of departmental statistics in relation to the applicant's personal workload and turnaround time.
What to provide
- Departmental statistics
- Personal workload data
- Turnaround time data
How to present
Mapped to CiPs 1, 8, 9, 11
Knowledge Requirements
Primary Path
Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) by examination in paediatric pathology
Alternative Path
Robust evidence of having passed a substantial examination (e.g. a nationally or internationally recognised postgraduate examination in paediatric pathology) that demonstrates knowledge and skills to a similar standard as the FRCPath, or alternative evidence mapped to each element of knowledge and skills examined in the FRCPath examination.
As no other qualifications are considered directly comparable, it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will require the applicant to produce an extensive and detailed portfolio of evidence.
Referee Requirements
Referee Reports Required
Most recent 12 months of clinical practice (up to 3 years if small team); last 5 years for educational supervisor.
- At least one clinical lead or clinical director who has been your clinical manager
- At least two consultants practising in the specialty with whom you have worked closely
- At least one educational supervisor if in training within the last five years
- Up to two consultants practising in another specialty (optional)
Volume and Assessment Targets
The SSG specifies minimum volume and assessment targets for this specialty.
Total reported cases across the breadth of specimen types to be ready for independent practice
6000
Paediatric surgical histopathology cases
3500
Paediatric/perinatal autopsies
280
Independent reports reflecting the breadth and complexity of paediatric pathology practice
30
Detailed reflections demonstrating skills across a range of clinical, laboratory or managerial scenarios
10
Currency Window & Evidence Volume
Currency Window
Years
Evidence from the last 10 years will be accepted although a small amount of older evidence can be considered where it provides a more complete account of your breadth of practice. Any significant gaps in training or experience (e.g. six months or more) in the last five years should be explained.
Evidence Volume
800-1000 pages
Additional Notes
Assessors attach high value to evidence that is readily identified as being personal, or unique, to the applicant.
If you have an item of evidence that is relevant to more than one CiP, do not include multiple copies in your evidence. Instead, provide one copy and list it in your application under each relevant CiP, stating that the document is located elsewhere.
Please complete the template provided on the College website which allows you to list your evidence, map each piece of evidence to the relevant CIP and provide a commentary.
Substantial primary evidence for any previous training towards a medical qualification should only be submitted if the training is directly relevant to the capabilities that must be demonstrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Paediatric and perinatal pathology CESR portfolio?
How many framework units does Paediatric and perinatal pathology require?
What evidence is required for Paediatric and perinatal pathology specialist registration?
How long is the currency window for Paediatric and perinatal pathology?
Start Your Paediatric and perinatal pathology Portfolio
Map your evidence to the Paediatric and perinatal pathology framework, track readiness, and export your GMC submission.