Psychology Matters 2024: In-depth analysis

This general election, Psychology Matters. All political parties must ensure they take a psychological approach to policymaking which places people first. 

You can read BPS's manifesto for the 2024 General Election on the following link.

In this article, hear from the BPS's Member Networks as they outline what they'd like to see from the next government.

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Chair of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology at the British Psychological Society, Dr Gavin Morgan:

"The next government must be prepared to invest in the education and wellbeing of all children, young people and their families.

"Demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has spiralled in recent years, especially so since the pandemic, due to difficulties in providing early support and intervention. Long-term funding is desperately needed to grow the educational psychology workforce and end the postcode lottery for support which currently persists. Every school should have a linked local authority Educational Psychologist based in their area, where they can have maximum impact working in partnership with colleagues in education, health and social care.

"The next government must act quickly to give local authorities the funding they need to provide the vital early intervention from educational psychologists required, which must be made free at the point of delivery. If not addressed urgently, many more children risk losing the support that they need, and the demand for EHCPs will only continue to increase.'' 

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Chartered member of the British Psychological Society Julia Faulconbridge said:

"The negative psychological impact on those that live in poverty should not be underestimated. We know that children growing up in poverty are four to five times more likely to develop mental health problems. While disadvantaged children are estimated to be over four months behind their more advantaged peers when starting school at age five. 

"We need politicians to take a long-term view and invest in our children and young people through concerted policies to reduce the incidence of poverty. This will inevitably take time. We must provide services for families struggling with poverty, through support for parents, and facilitate community and school provision for children and young people to combat poverty's worst effects. 

"That's why we need to see Early Support Hubs rolled-out nationally with long-term and sustainable funding attached. This will go a long way to increasing the supply of local preventative measures and early intervention support, with services designed to consider the psychological, emotional and wellbeing needs of children and young people. 

"If the next government fails to act quickly and tackle poverty's root causes, then health and social inequalities will only continue to widen."

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Chair of the Division of Clinical Psychology's Faculty for Children Young People and their Families Dr Rachel Bradley: 

"Increasing numbers of children and young people are needing to access mental health support. Last year, around one in five of those aged 8-25 were reported to have a mental health problem. That's why the next government must be prepared to invest in the education, mental health and physical wellbeing of our children, young people and their families. 

"In addition to a direct focus on children and young people, it's essential the next government puts resources into addressing the wider family factors contributing to their poor mental health. These include financial hardship and accommodation issues due to the cost-of-living crisis, limited authority support for families and parental mental health difficulties. We must also see an improvement in services for families with older children to address the difficulties that have already developed after years of underfunding.

"It is vital we put an end to families falling between the gaps in services before they reach crisis point. Developing a Child Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which puts children and young people at the centre of policy-making and includes a focus on the under-5s, would be a hugely positive step in helping the next generation and their families."

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Chair of the BPS's Faculty of Psychology of Older People (FPOP) Dr Natasha Lord: 

"Our population is ageing, and it is vital therefore that older people have access to services that are targeted at their needs. Older people will only see a significant improvement in their health and wellbeing if the next government commits to addressing the underlying causes of ill-health and inequalities. 

"To achieve this, it is vital mental health services for older people are sufficiently funded to ensure equal access to age-appropriate psychological therapies and neuropsychological services. This will enable those in later life to age well at home, at work, and to flourish in their communities."

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Chair of the Policy Unit of the BPS's Division of Neuropsychology Dr Najma Khan-Bourne

On those with neurodiversity:

"Those with learning differences and neurodiversity currently experience poor access to health/medical diagnostic services, to access support in mainstream and higher education and adequate social care.  This can't be allowed to continue. The next government must take the time to understand the issues that face these individuals, their carers and resource services. We need to see faster access to diagnosis and health interventions as well as a joined-up approach with other agencies across the system, such as education, DWP, vocational services and social care. We also need the introduction of a well-resourced CPD programme on additional learning needs and neurodiversity across the systems. This should be mandatory for all those who implement health, educational and social policies. 

"Only then will we stand a fighting chance of seeing patients across all age groups, with gaining quicker and more consistent access to the support they need to achieve their potential." 

On those with neurological conditions: 

"Those with neuropsychological conditions currently experience poor societal understanding of their conditions as well as poor access to assessment and interventions in health and social care. Subsequently their opportunities to access education, social support and employment opportunities are severely hindered. This is directly caused by massive under resourcing for the neurological population across all conditions and ages in that there is a significant postcode lottery of services for patients with neurological conditions. Where individuals access services they are often misdirected to inappropriate services – if they have access to services at all." 

"The next government should do everything in its power to ensure those with neuropsychological conditions can gain timely access to the specialist services they require with joined up care amongst different agencies and across the lifespan. Ringfenced long-term investment in these services, as well as a commitment to growing the neuropsychological workforce, would be a significant step forward to achieving this." 

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Chair of the BPS's Division of Forensic Psychology Professor Nicola Bowes: 

"People with serious mental illness should be in hospital settings rather than in prison. The next Government must improve the processes to transfer people from Courts and Prisons to ensure people are appropriately placed for recovery and rehabilitation.

"Reforming the Mental Health Act, which is long overdue, will be vital to achieving this."

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Chair of the Division of Counselling Psychology Dr Sue Whitcombe: 

"Increasing numbers of children and young people require access to mental health support. Last year, around one in five those aged 8-25 are deemed likely to have had a mental health problem. 

"Properly funded services and support for children, young people and their families within local communities, schools, primary care, the wider NHS, and local authorities are essential to stop those who need these services reaching crisis point.

"Prevention is more cost-effective than cure. The next government should commit to the national rollout of early intervention hubs which are accessible and available at the point of need. Such services will go a long way in supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing."

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Chair of the BPS's Division of Coaching Psychology Dr Lizana Oberholzer said: 

"Children and young people with learning disabilities and neurodiversity, currently experience significant barriers to support in both mainstream and higher education. We know that 80% of those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) finish primary school not achieving age-related outcomes in reading and writing. 

"This can't be allowed to continue. With councils facing a record deficit of almost £1bn in schools in England to support those with SEND, the next government must take urgent action and invest in growing the educational psychological workforce. If every school had a linked Educational Psychologist in their region, children with SEND would stand a significantly improved chance of getting the support they need."

On Coaching Psychology: 

"Research shows that during the Pandemic, Coaching Psychology provided invaluable support for school leaders and children, as well as the wider workforce in the NHS, and other sectors to develop resilience, and ways forward, during challenging times. It provides important support for colleagues across the workforce regarding their mental health and wellbeing. We need to continue to work with future governments on providing these services widely to enable our communities to flourish."

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Chair of the BPS's Equality, Diversion and Inclusion Board Dr Adam Jowett said: 

"Stark inequalities continue to persevere for those who are likely to develop mental health difficulties and their ability to access care and support. We know that some groups have a much higher risk of needing mental health support. People from minoritised backgrounds, for example, are more likely to experience severe mental illness and less likely to receive care and support when they need it.

"This is something which will only improve with systemic change and significant investment into prevention and early intervention, the wider health service and in community settings. The next government needs to prioritise this in their future spending plans to tackle disparities in the mental health system once and for all." 

You can read BPS's manifesto for the 2024 General Election on the following link.