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What are professional networks?

Professional networks are groups recognised by the CSP as experts in an area of practice.

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Professional networks are self-governing bodies that are legally separate entities to the CSP. Responsibility for all financial and organisational matters lies with the professional network itself. 

The professional networks bring expert clinical knowledge to many areas of the CSP and in relation to the CSP’s strategic aims. 

Professional network requirements

To be recognised, the CSP requires that: 

  • The professional network has at least 100 members.
  • At least 70 per cent of members are Chartered physiotherapists. 
  • To use 'Chartered' in the title, all UK-based physiotherapists in the professional network must be CSP members.
  • If a professional network is seeking a listing at Companies House with ‘Chartered’ in its company name, you must get authorisation from the CSP. We can provide a letter for Companies House stating that you have permission to use the title 'Chartered'. 
  • A professional network must represent an evidence-based area of practice within the scope of physiotherapy and not duplicate an existing network.
  • Every year, you must must provide evidence that the professional network still meets the criteria in order to continue to be recognised by the CSP. 

Working with the CSP

We will promote the work of a professional network to other networks or the wider CSP membership where appropriate. This may include, but is not limited to, promotion in Frontline, email bulletins and social media. 

Professional networks should promote CSP events and conferences to their members and encourage them to engage in our work, which could include participation in surveys or insight projects. 

When invited, professional networks should endeavour to send representatives to CSP events and conferences to ensure their area of practice is represented. 

Each year, professional networks are asked to submit evidence to the CSP during re-recognition to confirm that they still meet the above criteria and agree to continue to be recognised as a CSP professional network.  

How to apply

If you want to know more about being recognised as a professional network of the CSP, reach out to have an informal conversation about the application process by emailing pnenquiries@csp.org.uk.

Groups will be invited to complete an online application form. This asks how you meet the recognition criteria plus further information. 

Once submitted, the application will be reviewed by the CSP's director of practice and development and relevant staff who support professional networks.

Executive committees of professional networks 

A professional network's executive committee has responsibility for its strategic direction and leadership as well as overall administration. This may include: 

CSP members on executive committees

We advise that 70 per cent of executive committee members should be CSP members. 

People who are not CSP members (and who are not eligible to join, such as non-physios) can be elected into executive committee positions, providing they don't make up more than 30 per cent of the committee.

If a professional network were to elect a chair who was not a CSP member and not eligible for CSP membership, we would deem this to be an exceptional circumstance. We would still expect to engage and work with the chair to ensure optimal engagement and communication with the network.

  • Providing a forum to pursue clinical excellence 
  • Organising meetings of the committee and network, including any annual conferences and annual general meetings (AGMs) 
  • Where appropriate, identifying research activities for the year and supporting how these are delivered and communicated
  • Identifying and organising training for the network's members 
  • Setting a budget for the network 
  • Promoting the network within the profession 
  • Producing a newsletter and journal 
  • Maintaining links with the CSP 
  • Supporting the CSP in responding to government and other consultations 
  • Sharing information from the CSP, government and other external agencies 
  • Representing the network at conferences, or representing the CSP in national working groups requiring specific clinical expertise 
  • Supporting the CSP with our annual conference 
  • Supporting the network's members by attending the CSP Annual Representative Conference
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