Frequently asked questions
Why was RoSA formed?
RoSA was formed in response to a realisation that the UK sheep industry is going through a period of change and that with this change farmers will require increased support, guidance and advice going forward. RoSA provides UK sheep farmers with a network of qualified and well-informed advisers who can support them to become more profitable and sustainable.
Who is eligible to register and what are the qualification requirements?
RoSA membership is open to anybody working within the sheep sector with appropriate qualifications and experience. While formal qualifications are important there is no specific qualification requirement and other areas of experience will be taken into consideration. The application process has been set up to ensure it captures a number of different areas including qualifications, experience, number of current clients and future plans within the industry. Members are required to have experience working within the UK sheep industry, hold formal qualifications or already be a member of other organisations such as the Feed Adviser Register or Sheep Veterinary Society and already be actively working with a number of clients.
How are events/activities accredited for RoSA points?
CPD activities are awarded RoSA CPD points based on the type of activity, length of activity and content being delivered. NSA awards points using a system agreed by the RoSA Steering Group that ensures consistency.
How are CPD points collected and what are the requirements?
RoSA members are required to collect 40 CPD points each year, with a minimum of three points in each of the six categories of sheep health and welfare; nutrition; genetics; business sustainability; soil, grass and forage; and personal development. The membership year runs from 1st October to 30th September and the required number of points must be collected in this year. Collecting RoSA CPD points is extremely simple and can be achieved through a number of different activities:
- Membership of technical organisations such as FAR, SVS, AMTRA etc
- Attendance of external events such as conferences and seminars
- In-house training
- Online training courses
- Podcasts and webinars
- Subscriptions to journals, magazines and newsletters
For any events or activities that are not registered for RoSA CPD points you can email rosa@nationalsheep.org.uk with details of the event/activity and points will be awarded as suitable. You are expected to partake in a range of CPD activity through multiple areas and points for each area will be capped to encourage holistic learning. Please email for further detail.
Once registered, can I access my training record online?
This is not currently a function offered to RoSA members – but you can email rosa@nationalsheep.org.uk whenever you wish to find out how many points you’ve accrued in what areas.
I’ve recorded more points than I need for the year. Can the surplus be carried forward?
The scheme does not allow CPD points to be carried forward. The purpose of CPD is to record current training and learning activities – however, account will be taken of fluctuations in CPD activity from one year to the next depending on the individual's record and circumstances.
I’ve changed employers. Wil my points earned with them be lost?
No. RoSA is a register of the individual's CPD activities, retained under the individual's name. Companies may sponsor employees (i.e. pay for their annual membership) but it is not a company scheme.
Who will assess member applications?
Assessment of applications is done in a structured and formal way. An NSA staff member alongside an independent consultant review applications, with input from the RoSA Steering Group where appropriate.
How will RoSA events be quality assured?
Quality assurance is extremely important for the integrity of RoSA. Training objectives of all events will be reviewed along with the expertise of the trainers. We encourage feedback from members and any concerns regarding quality of events can be raised and will be actioned. All RoSA members must also agree to follow the Code of Professional Ethics and on the rare occasion this code should be broken there is a disciplinary procedure in place to protect the advisers, members and customers.
