The Work Experience in Psychological Professions Scheme
What is The Work Experience Scheme (in Psychological Professions)?
The field of Clinical Psychology is highly competitive in nature and as a result it can be difficult to gain substantive paid posts during the earlier stages of the career journey. And so, the aim of the scheme is to provide psychology graduates, aspiring to work within the field with clinical experience through working in the NHS work and support them to take the next step in their career by gaining a substantive post (e.g. Assistant Psychologist, Clinical Associate Psychologist, Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner).
These work experience opportunities are unpaid, however successful candidates will have robust support packages and access to training that will help develop their career (see page 14 of the Work Experience Scheme Booklet 2023-24 for more information):
- CPD talks
- Peer mentoring
- Supervision from a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or Senior Psychological Professional
- Networking opportunities
- Access to training courses (including Bespoke Mental Health, an online mental health training and CPD event platform)
Given the evidence[1] that the profession of Clinical Psychology does not represent the diverse communities we serve, we particularly invite candidates from group underrepresented within the workforce. This includes people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability; people from low-income backgrounds and males.
Having said that, the process of who gains work experience opportunities is equitable and as fair as possible. We will also be actively advertising/promoting the scheme to the underrepresented groups we wish to invite (e.g., via community groups/organisations).
For more information, please see our information booklet below:
Details about the work experience placements
There are various placement opportunities available across different services within the Trust, which applicants can state their preferences for at their interview (please see the Work Experience Scheme Booklet 2023-24.pdf for details).
The successful applicants will be offered and assigned to one of their stated top three choices for placement for 1-2 days per week (maximum), for up to 12 months.
As these opportunities are unpaid, alongside their placements applicants will be offered a robust support package and opportunities for networking via provision of:
- Regular supervision on the scheme;
- Regular CPD talks;
- Regular group reflective practice with the cohort
- Peer mentoring
Typical tasks you will gain insight into include: clinically relevant administration, shadowing clinical work, research/audits, data collection/entry, co-facilitation of groups and joint therapy sessions.
It is important to note that as you are not a qualified member of staff and are unpaid, these work experience placement opportunities are aimed at giving you experience and insight into the role of Psychologists and other psychological professions (e.g., Clinical Psychologists; Assistant Psychologist) and you will be closely supervised by a qualified member of the team. It is important to highlight that these work experience posts are not a replacement for an existing paid post.
The history of the scheme
The Work Experience Scheme (in Psychological Professions) was previously known as ‘The Honorary Assistant Psychologist Scheme’ (HAPS). The HAPs scheme began in 2017 and was reviewed in 2021. This involved gaining feedback from previous HAPs, supervisors and the wider workforce and a Service User Consultant.
The current scheme relaunched in 2022 as the Work Experience Scheme in Psychological Professions Scheme.
Quotes from previous candidates:
- “I enjoyed getting exposure to working in the NHS and deepening my understanding of how a service and a multidisciplinary team operates, which I feel will make me a stronger candidate when applying for a paid role”
- “I was supervised by a Clinical Psychologist that identifies as the same ethnicity as me. It was amazing to have this interaction and see where I can go. Even though my placement ended over a year ago, I know that I can still contact them with any support I need and they will help me as best they can.”
- “I love the concept of the HAP scheme and think it is incredibly valuable to give people the opportunity to work with a Clinical Psychologist and gain exposure in an NHS setting. There was a lot I enjoyed and am grateful for”.
Who can apply?
- Graduated with psychology undergraduate degree (minimum 2:1) or Master’s degree completed as a conversion course
- If a candidate had graduated with a 2:2 – further evidence of academic ability will need to be provided
- All applicants must have eligibility for BPS Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) – and clearly state this
- We particularly invite those from under-represented backgrounds in psychology including: ethnically minoritised backgrounds, low-income backgrounds, those with disabilities and males
How do I apply?
Recruitment for the scheme happens on an annual basis, and our advert typically goes live in the late Summer. Once live, the vacancy will be advertised on our Trust website as well as on NHS Jobs.
Join our mailing list for more information including invites to webinars, relevant vacancies within our schemes and other offers.
