Great crested newts are one of the UK’s most protected amphibian species and are a key consideration in ecological assessment, conservation and development planning. Effective survey, mitigation and management require a thorough understanding of the species’ ecology, habitat requirements, legal protection and the practical measures needed to avoid or reduce impacts.
The Competency Standard for Great Crested Newt Survey, Mitigation and Management provides a structured framework for professionals undertaking great crested newt work. It defines the knowledge, skills and experience required to survey, assess, mitigate impacts on, and manage great crested newt populations and their habitats to a consistent professional standard.
The framework covers a broad range of great crested newt practice, including knowledge of legislation and licensing, survey design and implementation, impact assessment, mitigation planning, habitat management and reporting. It supports practitioners at all stages of their professional development, from those gaining foundational skills through to specialists leading complex projects and providing expert advice.
By establishing clear competency expectations, the framework promotes high-quality, evidence-based and legally compliant ecological practice while supporting the conservation and recovery of great crested newt populations across the UK.
Purpose of the Framework
This competency standard has been developed to:
- Promote high standards of professional practice in great crested newt survey, mitigation and management.
- Support career development and progression for ecological practitioners working with protected amphibians.
- Provide a benchmark for competency assessment and professional recognition.
- Encourage consistency in survey design, impact assessment, mitigation planning and reporting.
- Ensure practitioners understand their responsibilities relating to legislation, licensing, species welfare, health and safety, and biosecurity.
Raising Standards
Understanding what good practice looks like and how to develop your competence in different areas of ecological survey, management and mitigation is fundamental to professional development and progressing your career.
CIEEM has been working with volunteer members to develop taxa-specific competency standards that tell the practitioner what they need to know and what they should be able to do in order to demonstrate increasing levels of competence. These competency standards are derived from the CIEEM Competency Framework and have also drawn on the Ecological Competences: Skills and Process document published by Atkins in 2019.