New Ways of Working for Applied Psychologists in Health and Social Care NWWAP
Resources
New Ways of Working for Applied Psychologists in Health and Social Care The End of the Beginning Summary Report, July 2007
The individual workstream reports
Aims and objectives
The New Ways of Working for Applied Psychologists sub-group was established in July 2005 and has met every two months up to the launch conference in Leicester in July 2007 when the group had completed its work. The group was jointly chaired by Roslyn Hope (NIMHE, NWP) and Professor Tony Lavender (BPS) and included representatives of carers and users, from the divisions of applied psychology and other professions, including psychiatry, nursing and the allied health professions. Two stakeholder conferences were held in Wolverhampton and Edinburgh. The group has addressed the following seven objectives:
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reviewed the pre-qualification roles of psychology graduates, including Primary Care Mental Health Workers (PCMHWs), and recommend how they could be developed to contribute to the sustainable delivery of psychological services;
- reviewed the current training models for applied psychologists, develop and assess alternative models and make recommendations for the future;
Progress report
Seven project groups were established to meet each of these objectives, and a summary of the work is included below.
• New pre-qualification roles: The group reviewed recent developments in graduate roles (including the PCMHWs). The major lessons were that unless i) these roles fit in with clear career frameworks, and ii) are coherent with local service developments, they will not be sustainable. The group developed a career framework for pre-applied psychology doctorate training that involved the creation of three new levels of worker, which would enhance access to psychological services across specialties. An education framework that built on previous work about new roles was developed to improve the competence of those staff.
• Training models: A review of the training models of applied psychologists (i.e. the current divisions of clinical, counselling, educational and child, forensic, health, occupational, sport and exercise psychology and neuropsychology) was undertaken. Alternative models that enhance the unification of those models and encouraged the adoption of new and flexible roles were developed. A preferred way forward was identified and a consultation process developed. This will be a long- term exercise and will require further strategic analysis and planning by the BPS about the future of the divisions of applied psychology.
• Career pathways: The current applied psychology workforce was mapped and examples of good practice in new ways of working across the country developed. These examples can be used to provide practising applied psychologists with ideas for developing innovative practice in their local contexts. Throughout the career framework, those roles at the different levels that integrate innovative practice were identified. Finally, the role of the National Assessors has been reviewed and new guidance produced relevant to all applied psychologists.
• Organising, leading and managing psychological services: The current organisation of psychological services has been reviewed, and key guiding principles for organising psychological services have been identified. The need for the development within Trusts of Board-level leads in psychological therapies/services has been emphasised. A variety of models of leadership have
been reviewed, and a model likely to suit applied psychologists and psychological services has been presented. The leadership roles and training needs of applied psychologists throughout their careers have been reviewed. Ways in which the leadership-development needs of applied psychologists can be met have been
identified.
• Team working: The theoretical and research literature about effective team working has been reviewed. Recommendations have been made about the role of applied psychologists in such key issues as the separation/integration of psychologists in teams, leadership, and the involvement of psychologists in service improvement. The role of applied psychologists working effectively within and for teams is strongly endorsed. Good practice in a number of strategically important services, such as assertive outreach, crisis resolution and acute care teams, have been identified throughout the UK. These should act as examples of how applied psychologists and others can improve the effectiveness of their work for and within teams.
• Improving Access to Psychological Therapies: The project group has actively liaised with the DH and CSIP programme on Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) and in particular the Workforce Group. Issues that have been identified and addressed include defining competences for psychological therapies and CBT in particular, surveying the post-registration training in psychological therapy, developing and defining a Career Framework for Psychological Therapists, and estimating the workforce and training requirements for implementing the phased roll-out of the IAPT programme.
• Mental health legislation: A small project group has liaised closely with the existing BPS and DH groups addressing the reforms to the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act. There have been discussions on how to take things forward with the Mental Health Act reform. In particular, there has been identification of the competences required in the roles of Approved Mental Health Professional and Responsible Clinician, the training needs (including probable curricula) and the regulation and registration mechanisms. Finally, strong links have been established with the Royal College of Psychiatrists on issues of implementation. The work of this project will continue as legislation was not passed in time for the group to complete the work by the end of July.
Products
The following reports are now available and can be downloaded (see Resources).
• New ways of working for Applied Psychologists in Health and Social Care. The End of the Beginning: A Summary Report: This report provides background information and an overview of the work and recommendations from each of the project groups. The report has been circulated to all trusts, PCTs, HEIs and SHAs.
• Development of New Roles: A document outlining the rationale for new pre-qualification roles and a model for developing three pre-qualification-level roles to deliver services in an innovative, cost-effective and sustainable manner.
• Training Models and the Future: A document providing an overview and critique of existing models of applied psychology training; a set of criteria for evaluating models and a discussion and evaluation of the new models. Clear recommendations about how the conclusions could be taken forward within the BPS will be provided.
• Map of the current applied psychology workforce alongside examples of innovative practice: A report about the current applied psychology workforce and descriptions of roles at different levels.
• Organising, Managing and Leading Psychological Services: This document will provide an analysis of the current NHS context and its implications for the organisation of psychological services. An evaluation of leadership styles will be provided, along with recommendations for leadership development and training for applied psychologists.
•Working Psychologically in Teams: A document providing theory and research related to effective team working and examples of good practice. This document will be relevant for a multiprofessional audience.
• Good Practice Guide on the Contribution of Applied Psychologists in Improving Access to Psychological Therapists.
The following products will be available in the future:
• Guidance for National Assessors: This is a new document outlining the role of National Assessors and giving descriptions of roles at different levels.
• Guidelines for Applied Psychologists in Implementing the New Mental Health Legislation: A document detailing the role and training requirements of the new mental health legislation and the registration arrangements for psychologists.
Contribution to the work of other groups
Members of the group have contributed to the work undertaken by psychiatrists, pharmacists, AHPs, and primary care, social and nursing workers that is reported
elsewhere. The group has identified areas of work it wishes to pursue that have cross-cutting themes, and members have started to participate in groups working on
leadership and accountability.
Next steps
• A group of the project leads is meeting regularly with Tony Lavender and Roslyn Hope to oversee the implementation phase.
• A series of seven regional seminars, funded by the BPS, will be arranged where key service and training providers and commissioners will be brought together to consider how to take NWW forward. Venues and dates for seminars are currently being arranged.
• A New Roles group has been established to explore the development of new psychological roles in services chaired by Roslyn Hope.
• The BPS has taken forward a number of initiatives including reviwing the requirements for graduate basis for registration and clarifying the similarities and differences in the competencies of the members of different Divisions.
Summary
Many examples of good practice and new ways of working have been identified. Many ways of improving the contribution of applied psychologists to new and
innovative practices have been developed by the group. The implementation of the recommendations and the adoption of positive practice is vital in progressing this
work and enhancing the quality, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the NHS.
Links
New Ways of Working Website (NWW)
NWW has formed a significant part of the NIMHE National Workforce Programme since it started in January 2003. NWW is about changing the practice of the current workforce; developing extended roles beyond the scope of curent professional practice and bringing in new people to the workforce in new roles, at assistant and practitioner levels.There is no single model for NWW; it is simply about making the best use of the skills in the workforce to meet need in a cost effective way.
National Institute for Mental Health (NIMHE)
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
Following the ministerial announcement about the implementation of the IAPT programme in May 2006, Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) has released more information about the IAPT programme which is available on the following websites:
New Ways of Working for Everyone
A best practice implementation guide (2007).
New Ways of Working for Everyone
Message from the President
Boards and Committees
