The first year Personal and Professional Development module aims to introduce trainees to reflective practice, leadership skills and personal and professional development of the values, skills and competencies required to fulfil the role of clinical psychologist (trainee). The various components of the module have the following aims:
Reflective group:
The reflective practitioner group provides a forum for reflective discussion and dialogue throughout the experience of training. The aims of the group are:
• to integrate learning experience through the training
• to promote self-reflection and personal awareness;
• to promote learning about working with and within groups/teams, including within this group in the here and now;
• to provide a forum for reflection on issues relating to the interface between the experiences of individuals in the year group, the year group as a whole, the course and the wider context.
The intention is that by providing a space for issues and experiences to be voiced and explored, the group will help trainees fulfil their major task of completing and learning from the Programme and becoming effective reflective-scientist practitioners. Enabling trainees to become reflective practitioners is considered an essential part of the training and necessary for effective clinical and research practice.
Clinical seminars:
The aim of the clinical seminars is for trainees to practice presentation of clinical casework to their peers and staff, and to use this as a vehicle for reflecting on the development of their core clinical competencies (engagement, assessment, formulation, intervention, evaluation) and on professional issues arising in practice. In addition, they provide a ‘safe’ forum in which complex clinical realities can be shared and reflected on from a range of perspectives. Trainees are helped to reflect on, and acknowledge, the uncertainties and diversity of perspective inherent in complex clinical practice.
Diversity topic area
This topic area has the following general aims and objectives:
• To equip trainees with an understanding of the clinical, professional and research skills which are applicable to working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds reflecting the demographic characteristics of the population.
• To develop trainees’ understanding of clinical practices which meet wider policy agenda, such as social inclusion.
• To develop trainees’ understanding of the influence of power, cultural differences and practices in ways which empower the service user.
A major focus of year one of the Diversity topic area is to introduce trainees to the relevant terminology, concepts and research in relation to diversity within the theory and practice of clinical psychology. The module additionally provides trainees with background on theory production and clinical examples relevant to diversity as applied to practice and theoretical frameworks of clinical psychology.
Professional issues (Year 1)
The main aim of this topic area in the first year of training, is to provide trainees with a grounding in the main issues relating to the development of an emerging professional role and identity. The aims of this topic area include:
- To provide trainees with an understanding of the core philosophy of the profession of clinical psychology
- To develop trainees’ understanding of the nature of professional identity, professional role and professional boundaries within clinical practice and research contexts
- To provide trainees with a thorough understanding of the policies, guidance and requirements of the Health Professions Council (HCPC) and British Psychological Society, NHS policies and frameworks as well as the broader ethical and legal aspects and requirements of psychological practice and research
- To familiarise trainees with the policies and procedures of the host trust and of the general process of clinical governance in other organisations
- To map out the required mandatory training and to ensure that trainees have an understanding of essential risk management practices for all aspects of their role
- To orient trainees to the process of personal and professional development, focusing on NHS appraisal processes, relevant HCPC and BPS guidance and relevant competency frameworks
- To provide trainees with a thorough understanding of fundamental issues and associated policies and procedures including:
o Understanding consent and capacity
o Data protection and confidentiality
o Note keeping and electronic record keeping requirements and best practice
- To develop trainees’ understanding of leadership models
- To provide trainees with an overview of service improvement within the NHS, relating this to the service related projects all trainees need to undertake
- To provide trainees with an overview of the supervision framework for clinical training and beyond
- To develop trainees’ understanding of fitness to practice policies and procedures
- Finally, trainees will also have the opportunity to hear service user perspectives on their experience of their care within the mental health system