Clinical Psychology

The Programme holds an Open Day for prospective applicants to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, the next of which will be held on Wednesday 18 July 2012, 10am - 12pm.

The Open Day will take place at Staffordshire University, the programme base, and will include:

• presentations from staff on the academic, clinical and research components of the programme

• information about what makes the programme distinctive

• information on the application and selection process

• the opportunity for informal discussion with staff, current trainees and service user/carer consultants

Please contact the Programme Office to reserve a place by Friday 13 July 2012.
e: dclinpsy@staffs.ac.uk 
 

• The programme is a partnership between Keele and Staffordshire Universities, the NHS, and practicing clinical psychologists in the counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire.

• The core purpose of this programme is to train highly competent clinical psychologists who will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council and chartering with the British Psychological Society.

• An important strand running through the curriculum is the impact of society and context upon psychological well-being and the programme has a particular emphasis on reflective practice. We encourage our trainees to be alert to the changing health needs of the population, the NHS and to the research basis that informs their clinical practice.

• The teaching programme is closely linked to the competence focus of placements in each year in order that the integration of academic, research, and clinical skills can be maximised.

• The programme has been recently been commended by the BPS for being
  ‘…entirely committed to ensuring that Service Users continue to play a highly valued role in the development and successful implementation of the programme. Their involvement is exceptional and not at all tokenistic.’

"The teaching has been varied and interesting and the range of placement opportunities has been excellent.  I have particularly valued the supportive attitude of the course staff"

The Shropshire & Staffordshire Clinical Psychology Training Programme is an integrated 3-year full time programme leading to a professional qualification in Clinical Psychology, the award of DClinPsy by Staffordshire University and Keele University.  It is a collaborative venture between these Universities and clinical psychologists in Shropshire and Staffordshire.  The programme is approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC) and is based on the HPC Standards of Education and Training and Standards of Proficiency. Graduates are eligible to apply for Practitioner Psychologist Registration with the HPC.

The programme is currently based at Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent.  The Psychology Groups of the two Universities are comparatively large and members of staff are actively engaged in a comprehensive range of research areas in both applied and academic psychology.

The training scheme is part of the local clinical psychology community and encourages full mutual participation between the programme and local NHS services.  Placements for the programme are located in services within NHS Trusts in Shropshire and Staffordshire where clinical psychology is a strong and well-developed profession.  Trainees will have to travel considerable distances at times during their training and should note that travel times from home should not impact upon ability to adhere to any programme requirements. There will be a need for the trainees to travel in a cost effective manner, which may be through use of a car.The core purpose of the programme is to train skilled clinical psychologists who can function effectively in a range of social, cultural, and organisational environments; show self-awareness of their personal and professional development and the implications for clinical practice; and demonstrate an active engagement with service users' and carers' views and priorities.

An important strand running through the curriculum is the impact of society and context upon psychological well-being and the programme has a particular emphasis on early intervention, evidence-based practice and reflective practice.   We encourage our trainees to be alert to the changing health needs of the population, the NHS, and the research basis that informs their clinical practice.  We encourage applicants to be mindful of power differences within professional relationships. We value service user and carer perspectives, and the active role service users/carers can play in the planning and developments of services. The West Midlands is an area of rich ethnic diversity, and we attempt to ensure these issues of difference are fully addressed. 

At the end of training we aim to have developed clinicians to the stage where they can draw on a broad range of psychological models and theories to inform their clinical work and have the confidence to use a variety of research methods appropriate to clinical questions. Alongside academic achievement, we value equally a demonstrated ability to:

• reflect upon experience;

• understand the impact of society and context upon mental health;

• think differently "outside the system".

In line with the Health Professions Council Standards of Education and Training and Standards of Proficiency, the programme is based on the core competencies, knowledge and skills that underpin clinical work. The academic programme has been designed to mirror the planned acquisition of competencies on placements.  This encourages greater integration of theory and practice and the development of transferable skills by drawing attention to the links between different areas of clinical psychology.  It also further emphasises the integration of experience and reflective learning.

The trainees' time on the programme is divided between academic work, research and clinical experience.  Each year begins with a mandatory induction block to prepare trainees for safe and effective practice in their supervised clinical work. Planned leave may not be taken during the Induction Blocks. Clinical placements start after the induction blocks and range from 2-5 days per week depending on the time of year and the stage in training.  Individual days and blocks of time for private study and research are scheduled throughout each year.

Year 1 Modules
• Six week Induction Block
• Personal and Professional Issues 1
• Psychological Models 1: Understanding People's Experiences
• Society & Context 1: Working with Systems and Communities
• Research Methods for Clinical Psychology 1
• Assessing Psychological Processes - Neuropsychological Assessment and Rehabilitation
• Placement 1

Year 2 Modules
• Four week Induction Block
• Personal and Professional Issues 2
• Psychological Models 2: Intervention
• Society & Context 2: Living with Distress and Disability
• Research Methods for Clinical Psychology 2
• Placement 2

Year 3 Modules
• Two week Induction Block
• Research Thesis
• Placement 3: Working with complex needs and ideas / Elective
• These modules are supported by regular skills based workshops throughout the year

Academic
Academic teaching consists of workshops, lectures, seminars, and on-line learning provided up to 2 days per week throughout the 6 university semesters of the three-year period.  It covers a broad range of topics in psychology, providing the knowledge base for practice and training in clinical, professional, therapeutic, and research skills.  Teaching in Years 1 and 2 is closely linked with the competencies that are assessed on placements whilst teaching in Year 3 focuses more on specialist skills. Attendance at all teaching sessions is compulsory.

Clinical Experience
The Clinical Tutor team is responsible for planning placements with each trainee to offer a coherent and effective experience.  Clinical placements start after induction blocks and range from 2-5 days per week depending on the time of year and the stage in training, and take place in a wide range of hospitals, clinics, community centres, and voluntary agencies. In Year 1, trainees are normally placed in the same geographical area as their employer. Trainees have a degree of choice over their 3rd year clinical experience.  During each year, trainees work with up to three Main Supervisors who assume responsibility for supervising the work over time periods ranging between 3 months and 12 months.  Trainee may also undertake specific pieces of work with other supervisors.  Each trainee develops an Individual Learning Plan which is drawn up by the trainee in discussion with the Main Supervisors, the Clinical Tutor and their Personal Tutor.

Research
The research component of the programme encompasses research methods training (qualitative and quantitative methods) and the process of conducting clinically relevant research. Assessed research activities include critical appraisal of literature; a research proposal; a research methods examination; a service evaluation project; and a major research thesis.  The thesis is initiated early in Year 1 and completed in the second semester of Year 3. There is considerable scope for choice of research topic and methodologies, provided that they are in line with national and/or local research priorities and with available supervision. Trainees are co-supervised by academics from Keele or Staffordshire Universities and local clinicians. The thesis is written up as 2 papers of publishable quality in a format suitable for submission to identified peer-reviewed journals, plus a reflective paper/commentary.  Trainees have access to a wide range of University and NHS library and online resources to support research activity.

Assessment
The assessment strategy comprises a system of continuous assessment and examinations designed to sample fully and equally academic, clinical, and research work. 

Each trainee has a Personal Tutor (a member of the course team, who meets with the trainee throughout the programme); a buddy from the previous trainee cohort; and access to an individual mentor.  In addition, trainees participate in a facilitated Reflective Group throughout the programme.

Trainees have access to NHS Occupational Health Services and University Counselling Services.

Trainees are also entitled to access the West Midlands Therapy Network. This provides free (usually brief) therapy delivered by volunteers from Clinical Psychology Services in the region.

Clinical Psychologists from Shropshire and Staffordshire provide the clinical supervision and contribute to the academic teaching in specialist areas. Other clinicians with specialist skills or knowledge may also provide supervision alongside the Clinical Psychologist. Supervisors take part in regular workshops and meetings for training and the discussion of issues relating to supervision.

The Programme learning outcomes focus on preparing trainees for a career in the NHS, and there is an emphasis throughout training on this context.  Trainees discuss their career plans with their Clinical and Appraisal Tutors.  The Clinical Tutors aim to take account of career plans in helping trainees choose placements, particularly in their third year.  Workshops in Year 3 include a session on job seeking, which also focuses Continuing Professional Development and Lifelong Learning.

The BPS Appointments Memorandum is a monthly publication of 'situations vacant' available to members of The British Psychological Society.  It can be accessed on-line at http://www.appmemo.co.uk/.  Jobs may also be advertised via the NHS jobs website. In addition, details of vacancies that are received by the programme office are posted on the trainee base room notice board or circulated by email as appropriate. 
 

If you would like to read more information about the course please download the Programme Handbook (PDF, file size: 458.34KB) . (DOC, file size: 604KB)

For more information about Clinical Psychology please contact: