DCP in Focus: April 2025

Welcome to the April edition.

For anyone who hasn't had chance to have a look, a reminder that the DCP Review of 2024 has been published. There's so much amazing work happening across the Division, and the Review does a great job of showcasing our members' achievements.

Best wishes, 

Julia Faulconbridge

DCP communications and publications lead

Join the DCP Early Career CPD Programme

The DCP has recently launched its Early Career CPD Programme, an online learning course delivered by experienced clinical psychologists.

The Programme's modules are split over four webinars and four follow-up workshops, with the first programme module starting at 10am, 4 June 2025.

You can take a look at the course dates on the Programme's website.

• Designed to support early career clinical psychologists (ideal for anyone who has qualified in the last three years)
• Online programme of workshops and webinars
• Learn key skills in compassionate leadership, research in the workplace and collaborating with colleagues
• Expand your network and meet fellow early career psychologists

Join the programme

The DCP has developed and subsidised the CPD course, so all webinars, workshops and course materials cost just £100.

How do I apply?

Applying to join the programme is quick and straightforward. Fill in the short form and you will hear back in a couple of weeks with more information.

Qualifications consultation

You are invited to share your views, as part of an online survey, to help to inform the future of BPS qualifications. The survey forms part of a consultation commissioned by the BPS, and conducted by Seymour Research Limited, an independent research company.

You have until Monday 12 May 2025 to complete the online survey here, or visit www.bps.org.uk/qualifications-consultation for full details.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week, 17 - 23 March

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative which aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about neurodivergence, promote the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, and create a more inclusive culture. This is relevant for all of us, both in relation to the individuals we work with as clinical psychologists, but also in consideration of the clinical psychology workforce.

A letter written to The Psychologist in 2022 by autistic psychological practitioners acknowledged that, 'acceptance of neurodiverse colleagues is key. Neurodiversity is more than a subject for research, assessment and intervention. It is part of your team and your profession'.

In 2024, an edition of The Psychologist was dedicated to the topic of neurodivergence. Dr Holly Kahya, in her article on how psychologists can be more neuro-affirmative in the workplace, argues that, 'If humanity needs different kinds of minds, surely our profession does too?'

Members of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee within the Division of Clinical Psychology are involved in projects that highlight the work of neurodivergent psychologists and aim to reduce the barriers for neurodivergent psychologists within the profession.

We have recently recorded two podcasts talking to neurodivergent psychologists, so please look out for these!

Become a mentor with the Leadership & Management Faculty Mentorship programme

If you've been thinking about it, but haven't yet applied, there's still time to sign up to become a mentor with the DCP. Not only does mentoring offers opportunities to expand your professional network, and develop your leadership and coaching skills, you can also help support someone at a pivotal time in their career.

Tim became a mentor in 2023 and has since worked with four mentees.

"During my career, I benefitted greatly from being mentored at times of professional development and change. Becoming a mentor was a natural step to share experience and to enable others to develop. I would urge those with a wealth of experience to consider becoming mentors. The role is enjoyable and keeps you focused!"

How do I apply?

All you need to do to apply to become a mentor is send a short email to [email protected] and include:

• Your name, job title, BPS membership number and a bit of a background on your career
• A brief description of why you would like to join the mentoring programme
• Outline any specialisms or skills you have that could support your application

 If you have any questions at all about becoming a mentor, you can email us and someone will be in touch. We look forward to you joining the programme and starting your mentoring journey with us!

Best wishes,

The Leadership & Management Mentorship Programme Committee       

Psychology Matters

Psychology makes a difference to everyone's lives, whether that's through supporting people directly, influencing policy, or providing much needed psychological services.

To highlight the positive impact that psychological professionals have on people's lives, our Psychology Matters programme showcases the power of psychology through your inspiring stories about your work and careers.

The programme has four workstreams that focus on key areas of psychology:

• Psychology-powered policy
• Early intervention and prevention
• Psychology at work
• Careers in psychology

If you have a story to share that you think fits in any of these areas, please let us know. We'd love to hear from you! If you need some inspiration for getting in touch, you can take a look at the interviews with Dan, Heather and Lynne who've told us why they think psychology matters to them.

Visit the Psychology Matters website to find out more about the programme, read the stories from BPS members, and find out how you can get involved.

'Let's talk about sex' - Submit ideas for possible future issue of The Psychologist

I am currently in communication with The Psychologist about the possibility of guest editing an upcoming issue titled 'Let's talk about sex'.

Specifically, I am in the process of gathering ideas and potential collaborators for this issue, to put forward a plan for a possible upcoming issue. The magazine really stresses 'personal, practical, persuasive' as its important aspects, so I am hoping to hear from anyone that has any ideas for articles within the field of sexual health, sex, relationships, LGBT, intersectionality, STIs/HIV, stigma, shame, sex positivity, capacity to consent, sex education, relevant current affairs, or anything beyond. 

Dr Jon Sutton, BPS Head of Science Communication and Editor of The Psychologist put it really well, 'we want to make this potential issue as diverse as sex itself'. If anybody has any books they would like to review on this topic, this would also be fantastic, as the magazine typically includes content from practitioner psychologists, interviews with professionals, personal reflections, book reviews, synthesised research, and more. While I have ideas on the content I would like to cover, I am acutely aware that others' rich perspectives will be vital for this issue - so I would love to hear from you via my email, with any ideas please.

I would also really appreciate if this callout could be passed onto your colleagues and networks, so that I can reach anyone who may be interested in contributing. My goal is that, in a world still faced with daily stigma about this topic, I hope that by proposing this potential guest issue in such a reputable magazine as The Psychologist, we can show how sex and psychology interact, and how important it is to discuss this topic further. Thank you for your consideration!

Maxime Levasseur, Assistant Psychologist at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

BPS consultation: Have your say on government benefits reforms

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published a Green Paper, 'Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working' and is consulting on some measures described within the Green Paper. 

The BPS is putting together a consultation response and members can contribute to the response by filling in our survey.