The CSP has launched an Associates’ Network for all associate and student associate members.
Membership of the network
The CSP has around 2,000 associate and student associate members. The membership of the network will be automatically conferred on all CSP associate members and student associate members.
Why the network has been created
Following the CSP’s governance review in 2018 and the subsequent disbanding of an associate committee, CSP Council signaled a desire to see the development of an associate network.
As an interim arrangement the CSP has worked to network and engage associate members through a support worker reference group. The support worker reference group was developed in 2020 and with the support of CSP officers has made a significant contribution to the CSP’s work.
CSP professional adviser Julie Blackburn said: ‘An appetite from associate members to develop a network became apparent through a consultation with associate members, as has a way for it to be recognised and supported to be successful.
Individuals in associate membership are a crucial part of the profession’s workforce.
'As such, they are highly valued members, and it is in the interests of the CSP to develop the most effective way to involve them in the society’s work as well as network and organise them.’
NHS workforce data indicate that the proportion of individuals eligible for associate membership who are marginalised due to their protected characteristics is currently higher than that of members eligible for chartered membership.
Anecdotally, individuals eligible for associate membership report that their unique needs and challenges can’t always be fully addressed in other CSP groups and thereby limits their full contribution.
Therefore, we are delighted to have worked with associate members to develop an approach to support them to self-organise and engage them in providing a bespoke and safe space for associate members to belong.
How to get involved
Join the iCSP Associates' network page for regular updates
Register for the annual general meeting of the network on 17 April
Follow the network on Twitter
Join the private Facebook group
Find out more about the network
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