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Paediatric experience in your foundation training

Following your graduation from medical school, you will pass through the two-year UK Foundation Programme (UKFP). During this time you will be able to experience a range of specialties and areas of medicine. Foundation doctors will be asked to make a list of their preferred placements, in advance and will be allocated by the Foundation School, prior to starting the programme. Each placement is undertaken as a four-month block.

There is a limited number of paediatric placements, and you may��not be guaranteed a paediatric block, even if you have listed it in your placement choices. However, there are plenty of other ways to gain the exposure to paediatrics that you are looking for, and this will not count against you in your application to paediatrics. ��

One of the key things to remember when applying to Paediatrics ST1 is:

You are not expected to have had any specific amount of time in a specifically paediatric post, either in Foundation or otherwise.��

Recommended undergraduate paediatric curriculum

Our��recommended undergraduate curriculum (with user guide)��outlines the knowledge and skills, attitudes and behaviours in child health that we think should be covered during the medical course. It includes 11 Learning Outcomes (and these map to our curriculum for paediatric specialty training, which is called Progress+).

As a postgraduate, you may find it useful to help identify the paediatrics skills and experience you do have and where any gaps might be. So, take a look to help prepare you for the next stages.

What experience you'll need before applying to paediatrics

Whilst it is quite possible to apply to ST1 Paediatrics without having had a set placement in our specialty, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following:��

• That you understand how paediatrics works��
• That you understand the skills and attributes required to have a successful career in paediatrics��
• That you have these skills and attributes yourself��

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• That you have the desire and motivation to pursue a career in paediatrics��

As such, understanding the specialty, is more important for ST1 interviews, than knowing a lot of clinical paediatric knowledge. As well as being able to demonstrate your suitability for it.��

A foundation paediatric rotation – should you or shouldn’t you?

It’s completely normal to feel unsure about applying without having had a paediatric rotation but as already stated, you don’t need extensive paediatric and neonatal experience to apply anyway, so fear not! ��

If you are already set on a career in paediatrics, when entering the Foundation Programme, don’t be too worried about whether or not you get a rotation. It could prove to be an excellent opportunity to gain additional skills in other, potentially related, specialties. ��

However, if you think that paediatrics is for you but you are not sure you have had enough exposure to it, to be 100% certain – then, it would be beneficial to try and get that paediatric rotation. ��

Equally, if you chose to take up an “F3” year, before you apply to specialty training, it would be advisable not to do so, just to gain more paediatric experience – unless you feel that you need it, in order to cement your decision that it is the career for you.��

That’s not to say that an “F3” is a bad thing either; and it certainly wouldn’t be in any way detrimental to your paediatric application. It is an ideal opportunity to step off the “training treadmill” for a bit, before embarking on your chosen specialist career and again gives you a great opportunity to explore different things and enter your paediatric training as an even more rounded doctor.��

If you’ve got a real passion for paediatrics, then don’t let that stop you from applying. In your foundation years, you would have developed multiple transferable skills which you can put towards your application such as communication and problem- solving skills. Also, the training programme, Progress+ supports in building your paediatric portfolio, and knowledge and gaining new skills along the way.��

How to get paediatric experience

There are many other ways to gain exposure and experience:

• Take advantage of opportunities to experience working with children in other specialties - such as general practice, emergency medicine and paediatric surgery. You'll learn valuable transferable skills. Or you could...��
• Incorporate a paediatric aspect into one of your posts in another specialty. For example, if you're working in emergency medicine, you could do an audit on children's care.��
• Try to get on a taster week in paediatrics through your foundation school. This is probably the best way of getting experience of the actual working day of a paediatrician, outside of a formal placement.
• Volunteer with children and young people's clubs, such as those helping people with disabilities or learning difficulties. You'll develop your communication skills and rapport with children.
• Ask a paediatrician to be your mentor.��Paediatricians are friendly and approachable and will always be happy to give some of their time and advice to an aspiring paediatrician! Whether it’s answering your questions about the specialty, potentially shadowing them at work, or getting you involved in a project, such as a clinical audit or research, it’s all really useful to help you get a feel for working in paediatrics and add to the understanding you can convey at interview.
• Join our very own own RCPCH Conference - it's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of paediatrics, with informative lectures from prestigious speakers, as well as opportunities to submit posters or apply for prizes.
• Go along to a careers event - there are still a range of events available at Foundation level, either run by your own school, local trusts or by the RCPCH. If you are signed up as a Medical Student or Foundation Doctor RCPCH member, our #ChoosePaediatrics newsletter is an��excellent source of information.
• Attend some paediatric courses, such as in life support or safeguarding. They're an insight into the specialty, great for skilling yourself up before specialty training and useful for your application. The platform gives you access to quality-assured courses to support your professional development and clinical practice. RCPCH members can sign in via their RCPCH online account; others may register for an account.
• Access our . We run short, free and accessible educational updates for health professionals on topics ranging from clinical conditions to service design.

Applying to paediatric specialty training

If you are looking to start specialty training at the end of FY2, then the usual application process involves submitting your application to national recruitment a couple of months into your F2 year, with a view to moving straight into your specialty of choice after you have completed your foundation.��

However, as mentioned above, you always have the option to take more time, before committing to a specialty programme, such as taking an ‘F3’ year.��

The application window for entry level specialty recruitment (ST1 in paediatrics) is usually open November to December. Once longlisted, sections of the application form are then scored by assessors and if successfully shortlisted after this, you will be invited to attend an online interview. ��

Between the shortlisting and interview, you will be able to preference the regions that you would consider working in. For paediatrics, you are able to preference as many options as you like, from those available across the UK. As we are a run-through programme, that is the region you will be based for the length of your training, so choose wisely but don’t limit yourself!��

You will be assigned a final score, based on your interview performance that will defines your national ranking, from which offers of specialty training jobs are made. These training posts will then commence from August or September the following year.��

Preparing your application

Our guidance for applying to ST1��is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about the application and interview process - do take time to read this page and the first download before you apply. We usually update this each August. If there are any major changes to process taking place however, we will always endeavour to announce them earlier in the year. As such, the previous guide is still worth an early read – just as long as you refer to the one for the year you are applying, when the recruitment process is getting underway!��

Take particular note of the two parts of the interview that can be prepared in advance...��

• Firstly, your motivation question, where we recommend that you create a selected portfolio, with achievements and experiences that you can refer to when discussing your career motivation and demonstrate your understanding of the specialty.��
• Secondly, the example you wish to use for the reflective practice question. You have a great opportunity to prepare both stations well, in advance, and use this to your advantage. Be creative and think carefully about the role of a paediatrician and the skills it takes to do the role well.��

The guidance for applying to ST1 page��also has a full description of all the interview stations, along with guidance on the shortlisting requirements.

Apply for one of our prizes

We offer two annual prizes for foundation doctors. They each offer a fantastic opportunity to join our annual RCPCH Conference to meet paediatricians and hear about the latest child health research.

• Foundation Doctor Prize - awarded to Foundation doctors in the UK and Republic of Ireland, as nominated by their school
• Tony Jackson Memorial Prize - awarded to a medical student or foundation doctor for outstanding personal reflections on paediatric experience

Become an RCPCH member (it's free!)

Finally - why not join the College? Foundation doctor membership is free of charge, and you'll enjoy access to a wide range of specialist information and discounts such as our events and scientific journal.

Do ensure you subscribe to the #ChoosePaediatrics newsletter which provides you a wealth of resources and information with volunteering opportunities to support your application to paediatrics and watch the that we ran in the past.��

Next steps

Do start by reading our guidance for applying to ST1 (Specialty Training 1). Also check out our introducing paediatric training page to find out more about the training pathway and the options it presents. And start thinking about what you can bring to the application and interview process, that will demonstrate your interest and understanding of paediatrics.��

And above all, take your opportunities and enjoy them! We look forward to welcoming you into the world of paediatrics…

Contact us

For queries about anything else, or if you just want to discuss your career plans with someone, please contact the RCPCH Careers and Communities team at��careers@rcpch.ac.uk.