Division of Clinical Psychology
The Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP) exists to promote the professional interests of Clinical Psychologists across the UK.
About
Our mission is to support the development of Clinical Psychology, both as a profession and as a body of knowledge and skills.
By working collaboratively with a number of organisations including the NHS, the government, and multiple professional bodies and groups in the voluntary sector, we seek to promote the unique and important contributions of Clinical Psychology that cannot be replicated by other approaches.
Areas of the DCP
Nations and BranchesThe DCP incorporates several national and regional branches which represent members in these locations.
DCP FacultiesThe DCP is also home to multiple faculties dedicated to working on/in specific areas of Clinical Psychology:
Get involvedGet involved with our work by joining one of our sub-committees or taking up a role on the Clinical Psychology Forum editorial board.
Pre-QualificationThe Pre-Qualification Group is for DCP members who are interested in or working towards a career in clinical psychology.
A short guide to the DCP
As the largest division of the British Psychological Society we understand that our organisational structure can be confusing, so this guide has been produced to give an "at a glance" picture.
Structure of the DCP
Current committee
Our mission is to support the development of Clinical Psychology, both as a profession and as a body of knowledge, by working collaboratively with others to promote the unique and important contributions of Clinical Psychology that cannot be replicated by other approaches.
Role | Current holder(s) |
| DCP UK Chair | Kalpita Kunde |
| Chair Elect | - |
| Honorary Treasurer | Andrew Newman |
| Workforce and Training Lead | Tony Lavender |
| Membership and Professional Development Lead | - |
| Professional Standards and Research Lead | Ryan Kemp |
| Communications and Publications Lead | Julia Faulconbridge |
| Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead | Sidrah Muntaha |
| DCP England Chair | Ryan Kemp |
| DCP Northern Ireland Chair | Sarah Meekin |
| DCP Scotland Chair | Claire Stark |
| DCP Wales Chair | Bethan Phillips Elanor Maybury |
| DCP Pre-Qualifications Group | Ken Cheung Richard Malkin |
| Group of Trainers (GTiCP) Chair | Peter Keohone Catherine Butler |
| Leadership and Management Faculty Chair | Amra Rao |
| Expert by Experience Lead | Currently vacant |
| Faculty Lead | Amra Rao |
Representative Assembly
This used to take place twice a year but using virtual technology will enable it to meet more frequently.
It consists of the DCP Executive Committee, Chairs of all Faculties and Branches and EbE representation.
This is a discussion forum bringing together all our networks, which then advises the Executive.
Other groups and committees
These currently consist of:
- Awards Subcommittee
- Climate and Environmental Action Subcommittee
- Communications Subcommittee
- Digital Healthcare Subcommittee
- Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism Subcommittee
- Finance Subcommittee
- Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology
- Minorities in Clinical Psychology Subcommittee
- Power Threat Meaning Framework Subcommittee
- Publications Subcommittee
- Public Health and Prevention Subcommittee
- Workforce and Training Subcommittee
DCP Awards
The DCP Awards exist to acknowledge the contributions of our members at different stages of their careers.
Strategy and principles
Strategic goals
In order for the DCP to deliver its mission our strategic goals are to:
- Ensure effective and efficient functioning of the Executive and subsystems
- To promote and develop research and theory in relation to Clinical Psychology
- To promote and develop the profession of Clinical Psychology
- To promote the professional voice of Clinical Psychology
- To provide support to our members and promote member networks
- To strive to improve the wellbeing of the whole population through working with relevant systems and organisations
- To support safe, effective, high quality provision of Clinical Psychology
- To work in partnership with Service Users, Carers, Professional Bodies, Voluntary Organisations and other key stakeholders
Ethical principles
Our key ethical principles are based on the 'Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists' and the principles of the Society's Code of Ethics and Conduct:
- Principle 1: Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples
- Principle 2: Competent Caring for the Well-Being of Persons and Peoples
- Principle 3: Integrity
- Principle 4: Professional and Scientific Responsibilities to Society
This will include an emphasis upon being:
- Accountable
- Evidence based
- Inclusive
- Open, honest and transparent
News
Events
Guidelines
Clinical Psychology ForumOur official publication serves as a discussion forum for issues of relevance to clinical psychologists.
Documents and guidelinesDocuments, guidelines, and additional publications produced by the DCP and its sub-faculties.
Video resourcesA collection of useful videos, recorded webinars, and additional visual resources.
Keep up to date with our monthly newsletter
DCP In Focus 2024
DCP In Focus 2023
Additional resources
Briefing papers
Leaflets
Occasional papers
Occasional papers - members only
These papers are only accessible to DCP members.
Areas of impact.
The DCP has a number of different workstreams, each with distinct remits and outputs.
DCP Review of 2024
This review is an opportunity for us to showcase the significant achievements and work we’ve undertaken across the DCP.
AwardsThe DCP Awards exist to acknowledge the contributions of our members at different stages of their careers.
Climate and Environmental ActionAs respected experts in human change, we can use our voices to show how climate and environmental actions are consistent with our responsibility to promote health, wellbeing, and inclusivity.
Digital HealthcareOur mission is to support competent and confident applied psychologists to deliver ethical digital practice.
Equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-racismThere is a longstanding lack of diversity in Clinical Psychology and we are committed to addressing this.
Power Threat Meaning FrameworkThe Power Threat Meaning Framework has been developed as an alternative to more traditional models based on psychiatric diagnosis.
Public health and preventionSignificant evidence indicates that wider social and economic factors give rise to psychological distress, yet approaches to public health remain overwhelmingly individual.
Covid-19Our objective is to maximise our contribution to society, services and individuals to promote wellbeing, working in partnership with people and organisations in a way that is grounded in our core purpose and strategic objectives.
Physical healthThere are many clinical psychologists working in the field of physical healthcare in both direct patient care and staff/team support.
Previous projectsMore information about the various projects which the DCP has supported in previous years.
Training and professional development
Whether you are a pre-qualified or in-training member of the division, or a fully qualified practitioner looking for further career support and advice, the DCP is here to provide whatever assistance or information you need.
Alternative Handbook For Postgraduate Training Courses in Clinical PsychologyIn our interactive online report, we have asked the current trainees from every course, across all year groups to tell us what it is like to be a trainee on their course.
Top Tips for Working with Children, Young People and their FamiliesThis document provides useful information and advice to supporting trainees and other pre-qualified clinicians working with children, young people, and their families.- Pre-Qualification GroupThe DCP Pre-Qualification Group is a special interest group for aspiring or trainee members interested in pursuing a professional career in clinical psychology.
Workforce and training updates
Latest updates from our workforce and training team
Previous updates
2022
- 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
2021
- 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
2020
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.
- 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
- to Clinical Psychology Courses to develop a mentoring programme for aspiring psychologists from disadvantaged backgrounds
- 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:
- is about to publish 'a vision' for the psychological professions
- has secured funding to develop Psychological Professions Networks in all Regions in England and the appointment of Leads is proceeding
- 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
- 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
- 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.
NHS People Plan 2020/2021
Building on the NHS Interim People Plan a people action plan has been published by NHSE/I in July 2021.
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.
Mentoring and supportThe scheme aims to increase effective and strategic leadership activity for clinical psychologists while also taking into account the particular challenges for under-represented groups.
Early Careers DevelopmentThis initiative aims to provide focused continuing professional development (CPD) to early career psychologists in the first three years after completing their Doctorate in Clinical Psychology training.
Leadership Development ProgrammeThe DCP is committed to supporting the development of confident and competent leaders who can help steer the profession into the future.
Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology
The Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology (GTiCP) is a network for colleagues involved in delivering training programmes in clinical psychology across the UK.
It provides a forum for discussion and debate of matters of strategic importance to clinical psychology training, as well as more practical and operational support to those involved in different aspects of training delivery.
There are seperate groups for academic tutors, clinical tutors, research tutors, service users and carers, each with their own email discussion lists.
To be added to one (or more) of these lists please email us.
Statement of Intent: Anti-Racism
The GTiCP Programme Directors Sub-group is committed to ensuring that all members of the clinical psychology training community feel welcome and included and can learn and work free from the insidious and harmful effects of racism and other forms of discrimination.
Psychologists with lived experience of mental health problems
Statement on Clinical Psychologists with lived experience of mental health difficulties
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.
Supporting and valuing lived experience of mental health difficulties in clinical psychology training
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.
Current clinical psychology vacancies
Assistant Professor (Teaching) in Clinical Psychology
Coventry University
Circa £53,000 (dependent upon experience) with the potential to progress.
Coventry, West Midlands
Wed, 30 Apr 2025 UTC
Clinical Psychologist
Psicon
£55k to £65k per annum
Canterbury, Kent
Wed, 28 May 2025 UTC
Assistant Professor (Teaching) in Clinical Psychology
Coventry University
Circa £53,000 (dependent upon experience) with the potential to progress.
Coventry, West Midlands
Wed, 30 Apr 2025 UTC
PSYCHOLOGIST (Permanent)
Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board
Competitive salary
Dublin, Leinster (IE)
Wed, 30 Apr 2025 UTC