Division of Clinical Psychology

• DCP in Focus - December 2021
• DCP in Focus - January 2022
• DCP in Focus - March 2022
• DCP in Focus - May 2022
• DCP in Focus - June 2022
• DCP in Focus - August 2022
• DCP in Focus - September 2022
• DCP In Focus - November 2022
• DCP In Focus - December 2022
• DCP In Focus - January 2023
• DCP In Focus - February 2023
• DCP In Focus - March 2023
• DCP In Focus - May 2023
• DCP In Focus - July 2023
• DCP In Focus - September 2023
• DCP In Focus - October 2023
• DCP In Focus - November 2023
• DCP In Focus - December 2023

Please note: these documents are over 5 years old and, in line with BPS policy, has been archived.

After this time documents are no longer regarded as reflecting the society's current position.

Referral to or use of documents after this time should be with the caveat that the legislation and evidence bases referred to may be outdated or incorrect.

• Alternatives to antipsychotic medication: Psychological approaches in managing psychological and behavioural distress in people with dementia
• Classification of behaviour and experience in relation to functional psychiatric diagnoses: Time for a paradigm shift
• Clinical Psychology in Early Stage Dementia Care Pathway
• Clinical Psychology: CPD Guidelines
• Commissioning and Delivering Clinical Psychology in Acute Adult Mental Health Care
• Commissioning Clinical Psychology Services for adults with Learning Disabilities
• Dementia and People with Intellectual Disabilities (Executive Summary) 
• Dementia Pathways
• Demonstrating Quality and outcomes in Psych-oncology
• Good Practice Guidance for Clinical Psychologists when Assessing Parents with Learning Disabilities
• Guide to Psychosocial Interventions in Early Stages of Dementia
• Guidelines on Activity for Clinical Psychologists 
• Guidelines for Clinical Psychology Services (2011)
• Introductory Guide to Commissioning
• Leading Psychological Services A report by the Division of Clinical Psychology - BPS (2007)
• Mental Health clustering and psychological intervention 
• National Mental Health, Well-Being and Psychological Therapies - the role of Clinical Psychology
• New Ways of Working for Applied Psychologists in Health and Social Care: The End of the Beginning. Leicester: British Psychological Society (2007) 
• New Ways of Working for Applied Psychologists in Health and Social Care Working Psychologically in Teams. Leicester: British Psychological Society (2007)
• New Ways of Working for Applied Psychologists in Health and Social Care – Organising, Managing, and Leading Psychological Services. Leicester: British Psychological Society (2007)
• Offenders with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A commentary on psychological practice and legislation (2010)
• Personality Assessment in Forensic Clinical Practice (2009)
• Risk Assessment and Management (2008)
• Training in Forensic Clinical Psychology (2008)

Briefing Papers

• Criminalisation of HIV transmission. Guidelines regarding confidentiality and disclosure
• Evidence Based Guidelines for the Management of Invasive and/ or Distressing Procedures with Children
• Psychological Services for Stroke Survivors and their Families
• Teasing and bullying in children and young people with cleft lip and/or palate: A framework for formulation 
• The role of psychologists in Crisis Resolution Home Treatment (CRHT) Teams

Leaflets

• Understanding formulation - Service User leaflet
• Understanding formulation for young people Service User leaflet
• Understanding psychiatric diagnosis in adult mental health
• What is a Clinical Psychologist?

Occasional Papers

• The Francis Report - Going Forward

Clinical Psychology Forum (CPF) is the official monthly publication of the Division of Clinical Psychology of the British Psychological Society. 

As well as reflecting the diverse and individual views of the Division's membership, CPF also publishes regular updates about DCP policy and business to inform its membership. 

The CPF has a dual editorship with the Clinical Psychology Editor [email protected] leading on content issues and the Managing Editor [email protected] leading on the reviewing and proofing processes.

Its aims are to provide a platform for the publication of members' views, opinions, and comments around the profession of clinical psychology within the UK and to update the membership via the dissemination of articles and commissioned pieces reflecting current and future good practice within clinical psychology. 

Please see the Guidelines for contributors for a full answer to this question as there is a variety of submission types possible. 

We are unable to give general advice about the suitability of individual manuscripts: that is the main purpose and function of the review process. 

If you believe that your manuscript is particularly unusual and falls outside of the guidance, please feel free to approach the Clinical Psychology Editor for advice.

We will consider submissions from anyone who has written an article that meets our guidance. 

We welcome contributions from people who are at any level of their career in clinical psychology. 

We also welcome contributions from people who are not psychologists but have a vested interest in clinical psychology and its application. 

We particularly welcome contributions from people who have accessed services, and from carers of people who have done so.

We do not encourage dual publication and there may be serious copyright considerations if this were to happen. 

Please notify us, at the time of submission if you have previously or currently submitted your article to any other publications, as we would not wish to simultaneously review or publish a paper. 

However, we do not usually impose restrictions on your published article being printed in other publications if an acknowledgement to CPF is included.

We publish correspondence either about articles published within CPF or on issues of general interest to the membership. 

We may seek a reply to the letter and if possible, will publish it alongside the original correspondence. 

We may edit the length of your letter, especially if it exceeds 500 words. 

Please note: the decision of the Clinical Psychology Editor is final.

We request that articles be compiled using double line spacing, in a reasonably sized, easily readable font (minimum 11pt, maximum 14pt) and that all pages are numbered. 

Please follow the BPS general guidelines for formatting and references.

Contributors are asked to use language which is respectful and psychologically descriptive rather than medical, and to avoid using devaluing terminology (i.e. avoid clustering terminology like 'the elderly' or medical jargon like 'schizophrenics'). 

In addition, language should conform to the society's guidelines on non-sexist or discriminatory terminology. 

However, we acknowledge that language is context specific and that occasionally authors may wish to justify the use of particular terms commonly adopted within specific contexts. Please include any such qualifications within an accompanying footnote.

We would obviously wish to know that any studies which are published were conducted ethically and, where appropriate, that ethics approval has been sought. 

In the case of experimental or research papers, we would expect acknowledgement usually of an NHS or University Ethics Committee. 

Where approval has not been sought, the authors should account for the lack of ethical scrutiny and what steps were taken to ensure that the research was ethically conducted.

We request that all articles, apart from reflective pieces and correspondence, include a summary, maximum 40 words, at the beginning of the paper.

We request that articles include an accurate list of all references cited at the end of the paper. See the BPS author guidelines for the style of references required. 

Please only cite essential references and ensure no act of plagiarism is committed intentionally or unintentionally.

We request that articles have a minimum of 1000 words and a maximum of 3500 words (including references, affiliations, word count, etc.). This will depend on the type of paper – again check with the contributor guidelines. 

Please ensure that the total word count is included at the end of your article.

Tables and figures may be included in your article, but only if they enhance it.

We ask readers to request a copy of any questionnaires directly from the contact author, rather than include it in the article itself.

We do accept the use of acronyms, but please spell them out the first time they appear.

We request that articles include the names of all authors, together with their affiliations and job titles. Please ensure that the full email address of the contact author is given for correspondence. 

We normally like to publish an email address and Twitter handle where readers might contact the authors individually. 

Additional contact details - email, Twitter, telephone, mobile - would be advantageous. 

If you have provided a postal address and it is a home address or address that you wish to remain confidential, please can you ensure that this is clearly indicated on your manuscript.

Please email one copy of your completed article in Word format to [email protected].

When your article is received, it will be logged and given a unique identity number within 1 month of receipt. 

Each article is then distributed to one or more reviewers (as they become available), with a requested turnaround of four weeks. Typically, your submission should get to a reviewer within 4 months of submission. 

Depending on the view of the reviewers, the article may be accepted, accepted with minor modifications, accepted with extensive modifications, or rejected. 

We reserve the right to shorten, amend and hold back copy, if needed.

Timescales vary considerably but on average the whole process, from submission to publication, takes approximately nine months. 

Occasionally, articles may be accepted or rejected with minimal delay. 

Delays have also sometimes been experienced due to unnotified changes of the contact author's employer or contact details, which is why we ask for a non-work email as well as a work one. 

Final publication also depends on the authors returning a completed copyright form.

If you are asked to resubmit an amended version of your article please ensure that you return the amended version to the Managing Editor, showing tracked changes, and state in an accompanying letter how you have addressed the concerns of the reviewer. 

The Managing Editor will then contact you again to inform you whether your resubmitted version is suitable for publication.

This situation only rarely occurs but the procedure is that the reviewer will request a second opinion from another member of the review team or the Clinical Psychology Editor.

Should your article be rejected you will be notified of the reasons directly. Should you disagree with the justification offered you should initially contact the Clinical Psychology Editor to discuss. 

The Clinical Psychology Editor will make  the final decision. You may also wish to consider submitting your article for consideration to an alternative publication.

If you feel that you have been unfairly treated by the editorial process offered through Clinical Psychology Forum or wish to take issue with the journal's published content, please contact the Clinical Psychology Editor in the first place. 

If this is inappropriate or if your complaint has not been satisfactorily dealt with, we suggest that you contact either the Director of the Membership Services Unit or the DCP Chair.

The Managing Editor will notify you and request that you complete and return the copyright form submitted. 

On receipt of both the signed copyright form and e-copy, your article will await publication in the next appropriate edition. There is usually a wait of between one and four months before publication. You will be sent proofs of your submission to check, we would appreciate it if this was done within 4 -6 working days. 

After publication you will receive a complimentary copy of the edition incorporating your article as a complete PDF of the final published issue plus the final PDF of your article. This is usually sent out within 1 month of the publication date. A note telling you of your retained rights will be sent at this time.

From time-to-time CPF will commission or receive suggestions for special issues on a particular theme that might be of interest to a large proportion of the readership. These usually take up to a year to organise and will have around eight to fifteen articles put together by one or two guest editors. 

If you are interested in compiling a special issue, please contact the Clinical Psychology Editor with an outline, rationale and some names of potential contributors. Following discussion with the DCP Publications committee, we will get back to you and let you know how to proceed. The Managing Editor will work with you to set a realistic timetable.

We are always keen to recruit new reviewers. Should you wish to be considered, you may contact the Managing Editor. The only requirements are that you are at least 5 years post qualification and a current member of the DCP, guidance will be given to those new to reviewing.

• Workforce and training updates - January 2023
• Workforce and training updates - May 2023
• Workforce and training updates - July 2023
• Workforce and training updates - October 2023

• Workforce and Training Update - March 2022
• Workforce and Training Update - May 2022
• Workforce and Training Update - June 2022
• Workforce and Training Update - August 2022
• Workforce and Training Updates - October 2022

• Workforce and training updates - February 2021
• Workforce and training updates - March 2021
• Workforce and training updates - April 2021
• Workforce and training updates - June 2021
• Workforce and training updates - July 2021
• Workforce and training updates - September 2021
• ​​Workforce and training updates - October 2021
• Workforce and training updates - December 2021

Workforce and training updates - December 2020

National Assessors appointment and update

We are very pleased to be able to announce that Eric Karas, a very experienced National Assessor, has been appointed to the role of interim Chief National Assessor.

The recommendation for the appointment was made by the Lead National Assessors and the Chair of ACP-UK and approved by Alison Clarke (Chair of the Practice Board).

The appointment is interim, as Eric wished to help with the relaunch of the Scheme and the eventual appointment of a Chief Assessor who would take up the appointment for the full three-year term.

The National Assessor scheme is used in providing External Psychology Assessors for appointments to Consultant posts (Band 8C and above) in Health and Social Care (and specific training/research posts within HEIs).

The National Assessor system and guidance documents have recently been reviewed and will shortly be published with relaunch of the Scheme.

We are about to embark on the recruitment of new National Assessors and any psychologists interested in making an application will be able to do this very shortly. We both thank and congratulate Eric in taking up this new role as Chief National Assessor.

HEE Diversity and Inclusion Funded Initiatives for 2020/21

There are three new HEE funded initiatives in this financial year.

1. to Clinical Psychology Courses to fund an equality, diversity and inclusion post to improve equity of access and inclusion for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority entrants to Clinical Psychology training
2. to Clinical Psychology Courses to develop a mentoring programme for aspiring psychologists from disadvantaged backgrounds
3. to Trusts to develop and deliver paid clinical work experience opportunities to aspiring psychologists from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them progress their careers.

More information should be available from your local HEE commissioner.

NHSE/I Chief Psychological Professions Leadership Team

There was welcome news that agreement had been reached to continue to fund beyond March 2021 the NHSE/I Psychological Professions Leadership Team led by Adrian Whittington.

This meant the team could continue to take forward the programme of work that includes developing and evaluating the options regarding a future Chief Psychological Professions Officer, reviewing the involvement of Experts by Experience in the training of psychological professionals and working with NHS Digital to develop ways of recording and recognising the indirect work of psychological professionals.

Workforce and training updates - November 2020

The People Plan was published in July 2020 with a strong section on the mental health workforce, which set out the commitment to the 25% expansion of clinical psychology trainee numbers for the 2020/21 intake alongside significant expansion in the wider psychological workforce.

There is a very clear commitment, if money is made available in the spending review, to consolidate and increase this expansion in future years to deliver the NHS Long Term Plan. It is vital that the community responds positively to these developments which means courses adapting to larger numbers and services expanding the number of available supervisors and placements.

The National Psychological Professions Workforce Planning Group (NHSE/I HEE) has provided an important source of influence in the NHS on which the BPS/DCP is well represented.

Chaired by Adrian Whittington and Louisa Stuart it:

1. is about to publish 'a vision' for the psychological professions
2. has secured funding to develop Psychological Professions Networks in all Regions in England and the appointment of Leads is proceeding
3. is launching a national experts by experience project to look how such experts are and can be involved in the training of the psychological professions
4. is looking at options in development of a Chief Psychological Professions Officer, including securing the funding for the current leadership team (led by Adrian) for 2021/22
5. is launching a Psychological Professions week, starting on 16 November 2020

Approved clinician role: each region has been allocated money to fund the training and backfill for staff to occupy these roles. It is important for clinical psychologists to take up this opportunity and to find out the key HEE staff involved in this funding opportunity.

The national assessor system is about to be relaunched with revised guidelines, a new chief assessor and revised information for employers about the appointment of consultants. A check is being undertaken that existing national assessors wish to continue and there will be a call for new national assessors.

We urge clinical psychologists Band 8C and above to put themselves forward.

This National Stakeholder Group (established in April 2019) chaired by Adrian Whittington and Louisa Stewart (and on which the DCP have representatives in the form of Esther Cohen-Tovee and Tony Lavender) has established that the delivery of the NHS Plan will require an increase of 8,500 new psychological professions. The 25% increase in clinical psychologists in England provides a welcome but relatively small step in achieving the required numbers.

It came just in time to deliver the increase for the 2020 intake which meant that some reserve list applicants were offered places immediately. It is not yet established that this increase will be maintained next year but we will be arguing strongly that it should and that there should be a further increase given the numbers required for the delivery of the NHS Plan.

There are moves across the four nations to establish a Chief Psychological Professions Officer (CPPO). In England the National Stakeholder Group received a paper outlining the options for developing such a role (to parallel the Chief Nurse and Chief Allied Health Professions Officer roles). A small leadership team accountable to NHSE/I and HEE will be funded from October 2020 to March 2021 but this is not permanent and needs further development and consolidation. In response to the options a joint letter explaining what is required has been sent from all the eight psychological professions' organisations.

The role is necessary if the psychological professions are to be closely involved in the development of policy and workforce plans rather than just being involved in providing responses to consultations. It would be part of such a role to ensure there was psychological leadership in all parts of the system. The DCP and the BPS policy leads alongside the other psychological professions organisations are playing a key role in this work.

Building on the NHS Interim People Plan a people action plan has been published by NHSE/I in July 2021.

• Find out more about the NHS People Plan

This Plan sets out actions for the leaders and staff in the short term but hopes to use the principals generated as part of building a sustainable future. It focuses on how staff must look after each other and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, as well as actions to grow and train the workforce, and work together differently to deliver patient care.

Central themes of this report are:

• more staff
• working differently
• compassionate and inclusive culture

The plan sets out actions that employers and systems should take, as well as the actions that NHSEI and HEE will take. The focus is on:

• Looking after staff – with quality health and wellbeing support for everyone.
• Belonging in the NHS – with a particular focus on the discrimination that some staff face.
• New ways of working – capturing innovation, much of it led by NHS staff.
• Growing for the future – how to recruit, train and keep staff and welcome back ex staff who want to return

The six Chapters expand on these themes and provide detailed actions expected. They are heavily influenced by the experience of delivering services during the pandemic.

It is colourfully presented with many photos of NHS staff (though, unfortunately, not any clinical psychologists).

In chapter 5 "Growing for the Future" the importance of expanding psychological services is stressed and increasing clinical psychology training places is included. This is to be welcomed although this is under the banner of mental health services rather than across the healthcare system.

Each local ICS is asked to develop a local People Plan in response to the national plan, to be reviewed by regional and system level People Boards. Employers are also encouraged to devise their own local People Plan and metrics will be developed by September 2020 with the intention to track progress using the NHS Oversight Framework.

The Plan is a further enhancement of the earlier Interim People Plan although still does not capture the importance of psychological services in helping to enable the transformation required.

It is important that Psychologists understand the plan and show locally and nationally how they can contribute to the actions outlined but also to a more deeply psychologically informed NHS.

The Division of Clinical Psychology publicly recognises and supports the unique and valued contribution that lived experience of mental health difficulties brings to individuals working within clinical psychology.

When lived experience is actively valued in aspiring, trainee and qualified clinical psychologists, it can help to enrich practice and improve service provision.

Read the full statement on clinical psychologists with lived experience of mental health difficulties.

This document has been produced as guidance for the clinical psychology training community in order to increase the likelihood that trainees who experience mental health difficulties will be well supported.

Another central aim in producing this guidance was to recognise that mental health difficulties are just as common among mental health professionals and those in training as they are in the general population, and to challenge the silence, stigma and shame that often surrounds mental health difficulties.

Read the full guidance for supporting and valuing lived experience of mental health difficulties in clinical psychology training.

The Division of Clinical Psychology relies on a wide range of people getting involved, and the work of the Division is largely achieved through the dedication of unpaid volunteers.

Our volunteers come from a wide range of different backgrounds, whether they be practitioners or academics, or full members or in-training members, and together form an open and inclusive community.

The Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP) uses its membership announcement email list to inform members of activities and initiatives that are relevant to their interests and to make requests for engagement on topical issues. 

By becoming a member of the DCP you are automatically allocated to the announcement list.

To receive these emails you will need to:

1. become a member of the Division of Clinical Psychology
2. opt into receiving email communications and provide a working email address

These preferences can be updated by logging into your member portal.

If you have any queries, please contact Member Network Services.

To assist us in responding to your query please make sure to include your membership number and quote 'DCP announcement email' in the subject line.

Joining the society provides access to a variety of benefits and member resources. These include:

• access to a wide variety of articles and publications
• the ability to join and participate in our online communities
• subsidised publication charges for certain journals
• reduced rates for BPS events

Take a look at the benefits and resources available to BPS members.