Expected standards for Assistant Psychologists

The BPS has published new guidance on expected standards for recruiting and employing assistant psychologists. Assistant psychologists work in a diverse range of settings including the NHS, local authorities, forensic settings, and education, and research has found they can end up in roles that do not make full use of their skills, or work beyond competencies or job descriptions.

In terms of recruitment the guidance, aimed at employers, recruiters, and supervisors of APs, and APs themselves, emphasised the importance of considering equality, diversity and inclusion. Person specifications and job descriptions, it said, should ensure AP duties aligned with those of practitioner psychologists but at a level that would be appropriate for an AP and should include increased supervision. APs should not be asked to take on roles which are distinct from practitioner psychologist roles or those which are combined with non-psychologist responsibilities.

While the document does include recommendations for assistant psychologists (APs) working in unpaid and voluntary roles, the BPS does not recommend unpaid AP roles and pointed out they can create barriers for aspiring psychologists who cannot afford to do voluntary work. 'The impact on those belonging to minoritised groups who may experience intersectional oppressions and disadvantages based upon their gender identity, class, race, ethnicity, or other minoritised identities… The BPS, in conjunction with recognised trade unions, are working towards the aim that all Unpaid VAPs should become paid roles.'

The guidance was developed by the BPS AP Task and Finish Group, Chaired by Dr Sarah Stenlake, Deputy Head of Psychology at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust's Adult Gender Identity Clinic. She thanked those involved in developing what she said was an essential resource for APs and those involved in their recruitment, employment and supervision.

'We ask that this guidance is distributed and utilised widely across all areas where APs are employed, so APs receive the right support, opportunities, and protection in their roles. We also ask that when recruiting APs, employers seek to actively address and remove barriers to accessing the psychology profession, to ensure that psychology roles are accessible to people of all backgrounds and identities.'

Read the guidance.