Special Group for Psychology, Health and Social Care

The Special Group for Psychologists in Health and Social Care (PHASC) is an integral part of the British Psychological Society (BPS), providing a professional home for psychologists working across diverse fields that intersect health, well-being, and social care. One of the few Pan BPS Member Networks, our members span clinical, counselling, occupational, educational, and business psychology disciplines, united by a shared commitment to improving outcomes for individuals and communities through evidence-based practice and psychological insight.

Our role

The primary aim of the PHASC is to advocate for the role of psychology in health and social care settings, ensuring that psychological expertise is recognized and integrated into multidisciplinary teams, policy development, and service delivery. The group fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange across different sectors, from the NHS and social services to private healthcare and third-sector organizations. By supporting psychologists across specialisms, we contribute to addressing complex health and social care challenges, such as mental health, learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders, ageing, and social inequalities.

Contributions across psychological specialisms

• Clinical Psychology: PHASC members working in clinical psychology play a crucial role in the assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic support of individuals across the lifespan, addressing mental health difficulties, trauma, and chronic health conditions. Our group provides a forum for these professionals to share best practices, contribute to policy reform, and advocate for psychologically informed approaches in health and social care services.
• Counselling Psychology: Counselling psychologists in PHASC focus on understanding individuals' experiences, emotions, and relationships whilst promoting psychological well-being and resilience whilst contributing directly to individual client support, health behaviour change, crisis intervention and collaborating across other psychology disciplines to support the well-being of client groups.
• Occupational Psychology: Occupational psychologists in PHASC apply psychological principles to workplace environments, focusing on enhancing performance, well-being and organisational efficiency. They contribute towards developing interventions for health and social care professionals to manage work-related stress and maintain resilience, support health organisations in adapting to policy changes and work across areas of psychology to promote organisational well-being and ensure that services are person-centred and sustainable.
• Educational Psychology: Educational psychologists in PHASC bring their expertise in child development, learning difficulties, and the impact of social and emotional factors on education. They work in close collaboration with schools, families, and health services to support children and young people with additional needs. Through our network, we promote a holistic understanding of how educational and health and social care systems can better support individuals with neurodevelopmental and emotional challenges.
• Business Psychology: Psychologists in health and social care settings increasingly recognize the importance of organisational psychology. Business psychologists in our group contribute to improving service delivery, leadership, and staff well-being within health and social care organisations. They apply psychological principles to workforce development, performance optimisation, and change management, ensuring that services are responsive and sustainable.

Our contribution to the BPS

As part of the BPS, PHASC contributes to the Society's broader mission of promoting the advancement and application of psychology for the public good. We actively engage in research dissemination, continuing professional development, and the creation of professional standards that reflect the evolving needs of the health and social care sectors. Our special group ensures that the voice of health and social care psychologists is represented within the Society, contributing to strategic decision-making and supporting the professional growth of our members through networking opportunities, events, and collaborative initiatives.

In this way, the Psychologists in Health and Social Care Special Group strengthens the role of psychology within one of the most vital areas of public service, enhancing the impact of the profession on individuals, families, and communities throughout the UK.