DCP Faculty for Children, Young People, and their Families
The CYPF is primarily made up of Clinical Psychologists who specialise in working with children, young people and their families, although other professions may join as Associate members.
About
Our aims:
- to influence and shape key policy around health, education and social care to improve the psychological well-being of children and families
- to promote the value of applied psychological principles and research to the world outside the profession
- to support its members to deliver high quality psychologically informed services for children, young people and families that have a positive impact on them throughout their lifespan
Contact us
The first point of contact for any queries regarding the work of the DCP Faculty of Children, Young People and their Families (CYPF) should be the Member Network Services Team.
The Member Network Services team provides support to all our Member Networks.
- Contact the Member Networks Team
- Follow us on X: @BPS_DCP_CYPF
Faculty sub-groups
Clinical Psychologists in Education
Clinical Psychologists are starting to develop work with schools, and much of this work is outside of the traditional models of how Clinical Psychologists usually work.
This work can develop as part of CAMHS services, and there are an increasing number of Clinical Psychologists working in independent practice who are working with individual schools. Much of this work (both in the independent sector and from CAMHS) is developing in innovative and exciting ways.
The broad aim of the network is to support Clinical Psychologists working with schools, through the following:
- developing a knowledge base of the innovative ways in which Clinical Psychologists work with schools
- developing a network of likeminded colleagues
- linking colleagues who want to evaluate their work with schools
- providing a central point of contact for other Clinical Psychologists already working in this area, or who are looking to develop their work with schools
How to join
If you are already a member of the Faculty of Children Young People and their Families and would like to join the CPs in Education network please email [email protected] with your BPS number.
Otherwise you must first be a member of the faculty to join.
Clinical Psychologists working with Looked After or Adopted Children (CPLAAC) Network
CPLAAC is a group of interested professionals working together to share ideas, knowledge, resources and connections with the aim of improving the service we're able to offer to children, young people and families.
We endeavour to maintain a presence and voice in multiple places and make connections and offer empathy and curiosity where we can.
How to join
If you are already a member of the Faculty of Children Young People and their Families and would like to join the CPLAAC network please email [email protected] with your BPS number.
Otherwise you must first be a member of the faculty to join.
Forum for Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychology Services (FICAPS)
The Forum for Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychology Services (FICAPS) was formed in recognition of the need for Clinical Psychologists working in Inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), to have an established professional network.
Our aim is to clarify and enhance the profile and practice of Clinical Psychologists working in Tier 4 services by providing a forum in which to discuss relevant ethical and professional issues, enable peer supervision, identify training needs and share ideas and best practice.
We meet together virtually across the country every 3 months and also hold a National FICAPS Conference every 18 months.
How to join
If you are already a member of the Faculty of Children Young People and their Families and would like to join FICAPS please email [email protected] with your BPS number.
Otherwise you must first be a member of the faculty to join.
Contact details
- Dr Paul Abeles
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Galaxy House, RMCH, Manchester
[email protected]
Learning Disability Network
The Child Learning Disability Network is network of psychologists who are all working with children and young people who have a learning disability, and their families.
This includes psychologists who are working with children and young people who have mental health concerns, and those who are working with children who have behaviour that challenges.
The network exits to provide mutual support and information sharing, and to this end it runs an email discussion list, symposium and conferences.
Any psychologist who is working with children who have a learning disability is welcome to join.
How to join
If you are already a member of the Faculty of Children Young People and their Families and would like to join the LD network please email [email protected] with your BPS number.
Otherwise you must first be a member of the faculty to join.
Paediatric Psychology Network UK (PPN-UK)
The Paediatric Psychology Network UK (PPN-UK), is a forum for Paediatric Psychologists in the United Kingdom.
Our general aim is to promote the development of Paediatric Psychology within the UK, including strategic and policy influence, professional practice, clinical governance, research and training.
We have links across many aspects of the BPS and many external agencies with shared aims, such as RCPsych, RCPCH and NHS England.
How to join
If you are already a member of the Faculty of Children Young People and their Families and would like to join the PPN please email [email protected] with your BPS number.
Otherwise you must first be a member of the faculty to join the PPN.
Join the PPN Email list
The PPN uses its membership announcement email list to inform its members of activities and initiatives that are relevant to their interests and to make requests for engagement on topical issues.
If you are a PPN-UK member, you can ensure you receive these emails by checking your communication preferences in your member portal, and ensure you have selected communication by email.
Contact details
Email the PPN-UK directly on [email protected].
Follow us on X: @ThePPN_UK
Download the SIG Guidance document
You must be a member of the SIG to access this document
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News
Events
Guidelines
Resources
Articles
- What's in a name? Findings and issues from the CYPF Faculty survey on diagnosis
This article is a report presenting results, themes, reflections and implications of a Faculty survey on diagnosis written by Ro Rossiter and Rebecca Arena. This article appeared in the March 2021 edition of Clinical Psychology Forum - Co-Production With Young People: A Quick Reference Guide
Co-production involves including those using services in planning, decision-making, delivery and evaluation, and recognises the skills, knowledge and experiences that young people and families can bring to the table in the development of services. - From Shallow Roots to Developing Fruits: Working Together to Help Cared For Children and Young People Thrive and Grow
The following recommendations for mental health practitioners were developed by young people affiliated with the Care Leavers Association through a podcast they developed for the British Psychological Society's Faculty for Children, Young People and Families Annual Conference on 18th November 2024.
Care Leaver Voices - A Podcast by the Care leavers' Association
Tips for working with children, young people and their families
Understanding Formulation for Young People - Service User Leaflet
Useful links
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Association for Infant Mental Health
- CAMHS Evidence-Based Practice Unit
- CORC
- Department of Health
- HCPC
- MindEd
- National Children's Bureau
- Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- Sure Start
- Time to change
- Young Minds
Leaflets
- Babies and pre-school children: Psychological services in Early Years mental health and emotional wellbeing settings
- Children and young people in schools and colleges: Guidelines for good quality psychological wellbeing and mental health services
- Children and young people with physical health needs: How psychological services contribute to the care pathway
- Children, young people and families experiencing psychological difficulties: Delivering psychological services in inpatient settings
- Clinical and applied psychologists in child and adolescent mental health services: Recommendations about numbers, gradings and leadership
- Community Psychology approaches with children, young people and families: Working with whole communities
- Delivering psychological services for children and young people involved with the criminal justice system, those at risk of involvement, and their families
- Delivering psychological services for children and young people with neurodevelopmental difficulties and their families
- Delivering psychological services for children, young people with learning disabilities and their families
- Delivering psychological services in specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
- Psychological services for children, young people and families with complex social care needs including looked after children
Call for papers
We're putting out a call for papers for the next edition of our flagship journal, which will be titled: 'What good looks like for children who may be neurodivergent'.
The deadline for submissions is Friday 30 May 2025.
Find out more about how to submit a paper for consideration.
Child and Family Clinical Psychology Review
The review's mission is to promote and share good quality clinical writing and research expressing a range of views and ideas.
Latest articles - Child & Family Clinical Psychology Review
- Periodicals
‘They wouldn’t meet the threshold’ – reflections of CAMHS workers supporting young people experiencing precarious housing - The Child & Family Clinical Psychology Review
Volume: 1 Issue: 9
Date of Publication: 01-11-2024
Author(s): Kellie Robinson, Heather Lawson, Heather Gilmour
- Periodicals
Using Video Interactive Guidance to increase a kinship carer’s self-efficacy and confidence - The Child & Family Clinical Psychology Review
Volume: 1 Issue: 9
Date of Publication: 01-11-2024
Author(s): Anne-Marie Paton
- Periodicals
Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP): Offering safe passage to healing and connection for unaccompanied minors, young asylum seekers and refugees - The Child & Family Clinical Psychology Review
Volume: 1 Issue: 9
Date of Publication: 01-11-2024
Author(s): Sez Morse
- Periodicals
Editorial - The Child & Family Clinical Psychology Review
Volume: 1 Issue: 9
Date of Publication: 01-11-2024
Author(s): Rachel Bradley
- Periodicals
The impact of temporary housing on health engagement of children and young people - a case series - The Child & Family Clinical Psychology Review
Volume: 1 Issue: 9
Date of Publication: 01-11-2024
Author(s): Steve Jones, Fran Allen
Research Awards
We are inviting applications for one of three awards for research that has demonstrated innovation, impact, and benefit for the psychological wellbeing of children, young people, families, and/or children's services (e.g., mental and physical health services, education settings, local authority services, etc.). The winner of each award will receive £200 in vouchers and winners will be announced at the Faculty conference in November 2024.
Undergraduate/Masters Dissertation Award
This award recognises outstanding contributions to psychological knowledge relating to children, young people and families, arising from the completion of a dissertation during a BPS-accredited undergraduate or Masters degree in psychology. Applicants for this award do not have to be members of the BPS.
Clinical Psychology Trainee Thesis Award
This award recognises outstanding contributions to psychological knowledge relating to children, young people and families, arising from research completed as part of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Applicants for this award do not have to be members of the BPS.
Clinical Psychologist Research Award
This award recognises outstanding contributions to psychological theory and practice relating to children, young people and families. The research may take the form of an audit, evaluation, service development, multimethod knowledge generation, review, or clinical trial, for example. The application will be assessed for the impact the research has had on young people, families and services, innovation for research and practice, and the resulting benefits to individuals and/or systems.
Applicants for this award need to be members of the DCP and/or the Faculty for Children, Young People and Families.
Past winners
- Kate Cudmore - Clinical Psychology Trainee Thesis Award 2024
"You need to know the boy's soul, what makes them tick": Residential support workers' perceptions of their role in a therapeutic setting
Committee
Chair: Rachel Bradley
Past Chair: Helen Griffiths
Publication and Communication Officer: Bethanne Willingham
Committee Members:
- Deborah Thorp
- Debbra Mortlock
- Sarah Parry
- Irena Komendova
- Elisa Marcellino
- Helen O'Connor
- Sarah Cresswell
Pre-Qual Representative: Bliss Warland-Edge
Forum for Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychology Services (FICAPS) representative: Jacob Clark
Learning Disability Network representative: Bethanne Willingham
Paediatric Psychology Network UK (PPN-UK) representative: Yvonne Vance
Clinical Psychologists in Education representative: Helen O'Connor
Wales representative: Bethan Phillips
Join
Apply to join the faculty (students, affiliates, e-subscribers)
Apply to join the faculty (graduate, chartered, and in-training members)
Membership of the Faculty for Children, Young People, and their Families is only open to members of the British Psychological Society.
There are three grades of faculty membership:
Full membership
For psychologists who are Full Members of the Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP) and who work in or have an interest or expertise in the field of children and young people.
Affiliate membership
For psychologists who are General (Pre-Training) and In-Training members of the Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP). Affiliate members may take part in discussions but may not vote.
Associate membership
For General members of the Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP) and non-Division members. Associate members may take part in discussions but may not vote.
If you are not already a member, you can join the faculty at the same time as applying for membership of the society.
Benefits of belonging
The Faculty supports members to deliver high quality psychologically informed services for children, young people and their families through our regular newsletters, CPD events, conference, publications on specific topics and the Child and Family Clinical Psychology Review.
To receive newsletters Faculty members need to opt into receiving email communication and provide a working email address. These preferences can be updated by logging into the member portal.
For any queries, please contact Member Network Services .
The Faculty also has a number of sub-groups relating to specialist areas with the field of Children, Young People and their Families. Membership of the sub-groups is free for Faculty members.
More information about the sub-groups can be found on the 'About' tab.
To join a faculty sub-group please contact Member Network Services stating which sub-group you would like to join.
Join the Faculty Committee
The work of the Faculty is largely achieved through the dedication of unpaid volunteers who have joined the main Faculty committee or support the running of the different sub-groups.
Our volunteers come from a wide range of different backgrounds, whether they be practitioners or academics, full members or in-training members, and together form an open and inclusive community.
The experience of being part of this can be very rewarding personally and professionally and we are always pleased to hear from members who would like to become involved.
If you would like to find out more please contact Member Network Services.