A focus on policy around the UK

This is something that you've consistently told as you want to see, particularly through our quarterly member survey, where you've told us that you want to feel part of an influential professional body working on behalf of its members.

I hope that you've already seen the results of this work in areas such as our campaign on NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, and our current focus on SEND provision in schools.

These eye-catching campaigns are only a small part of the policy and influencing work that is going on throughout the society. This month, I wanted to highlight some of the initiatives we're working on in the devolved nations.

We have a dedicated policy adviser in each of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which has allowed us far greater visibility than in the past. 

There is due to be elections in Scotland and Wales by 2026, and Northern Ireland by 2027, so we are already developing our areas of focus for our manifestos, and working closely with members to decide on our priorities in the devolved nations.

We will be involving our branch committees in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in this work, which is always a collaborative effort. We are regularly looking for more members with new areas of interest and expertise to get involved – keep an eye on the branch websites for the latest vacancies, both on the committees and groups working on specific policy areas.

We also regularly respond to consultations both from the UK and devolved governments, as well as other organisations. You can find the currently open consultations on our consultations page, and add your thoughts on any which are relevant to your own area of work. 

Our responses to these important pieces of work are based on the views and comments of members, so they are a great opportunity for you to help us to influence policy developments and make sure the voice of psychology is heard. 

Northern Ireland

After a period of uncertainty, the government in Northern Ireland was restored earlier this year, and the first minister has said that funding for public services is a top priority, so we are starting to see movement in areas of focus for us, including mental health and addiction services.

The new administration has published a comprehensive and wide-ranging programme for government, which we are currently responding to.

The Public Accounts Committee has also recently published a report on mental health services in Northern Ireland, which contains 16 recommendations. Many of these align with our priorities, however we are engaging with key stakeholders on the issue of the Northern Ireland Mental Health Strategy remaining unfunded.

Addiction services is a particular area of focus for us in Northern Ireland, and we are liaising with members and stakeholders on the issue of gambling harm. The introduction of a dedicated service is being discussed, on the back of a report by the All-Party Group for Gambling Harm.

Finally, we've launched a new policy group in Northern Ireland, which will be identifying other key policy areas where psychology can and should have a louder voice. Keep an eye out for the group's policy pillars, which will be published soon.

Scotland

In Scotland, we've been busy responding to important Scottish government consultations, including on updates to adults with incapacity legislation and children's hearings system redesign. 

While these have now closed, we have an opportunity for members to get involved in our responses to a call for written evidence on the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill. This bill would provide a right for anyone diagnosed as having a drug and/or alcohol addiction to receive a treatment determination and for the person to be provided with that treatment as soon as reasonably practicable.

We've been working with our partners in Scotland's Mental Health Partnership (SMHP) on policy and communications planning, identifying opportunities for the partnership in the future. This includes plans for a joint manifesto for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election, which will take place by May 2026 at the latest.

The Scottish budget is due to be announced on 4 December, and we'll be monitoring for the impact on services ahead of the Scottish Government Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd, attending a meeting with the SMHP on 11 December.

Wales

We have also been responding to consultations in Wales, including on an action plan for providing greater support for the maternity and neonatal workforce, where we would like to see psychologists' expertise used. 

In the new year, a Welsh Government consultation will open seeking input into a new dementia strategy for Wales, which we will be responding to.

We have also been echoing the work of the society's campaign on SEND provision in England, producing a briefing for key members of the Senedd which called for a review of the educational psychology workforce in Wales. 

In October, we endorsed a joint letter to the Welsh ministerial departments on health inequalities. Signed by more than 40 organisations, this called for a national delivery plan involving all areas of the Welsh government, to help reduce the impact of poverty and deprivation on the people of Wales.

Looking ahead, we will be part of a joint workforce briefing with the Wales Royal Colleges Child Health Collaboration, where we'll be providing details on the role of psychology in child healthcare, presenting case studies of how psychologists save the NHS and government money through using innovative approaches.