Lancaster University Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

1. Lancaster UniversityDoctorate in Clinical Psychology Our journeys to training www.facebook.com/dclinpsywp

2. Dementia Screening Coordinator 1:1 Applied Behaviour Therapist Substance Misuse Worker Parent Support Advisor in schools Sure Start Patient and public involvement Planning & performance department in a mental health trust Health promotion Courses (Graduate mental health worker, Counselling course, Masters) Voluntary Work (Samaritans, Chester Terrapins, Mental Health advocate service, Lancashire Care’s mental health helpline, N Compass’s Butterfly & Phoenix Projects Bereavement support, Victim support) Plus… Working in advertising, administration, and Pizza Hut! Our cohort’s pathways Wide range of previous experiences, which include: • Social Worker • Social Services Manager • Support Worker • Counsellor • Teaching Assistant • Research Assistant • Assistant Clinical Psychologist (paid and voluntary) • Assistant Forensic Psychologist • Trainee Forensic Psychologist • Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Worker • Home Care Assistant • Health Care/ Nursing Assistant (inc. Bank) • Activity Coordinator in a care home • Occupational Therapy Assistant • Medical Student

3. Our cohort’s pathways • Only around half have had experience as an Assistant Psychologist! • A range of ages in our cohort • Lancaster focuses on you as a person, and how you can reflect upon the transferable skills you have. • Some good advice: “Take any opportunities that come up and see what you can learn from them rather than being too hung up on job titles or how 'relevant' something seems. It can be a long route into CP so it’s better to spend that time in jobs that are interesting and enjoyable rather than doing something just for the sake of a job title!”

4. My unique pathway

5. Top tips for applying • Think about how you can demonstrate the competencies: - oral communication skills - personal maturity - warmth & empathy - resilience - professional skills - motivation & application - contextual awareness - problem solving & decision making - self-awareness & openness to learning - commitment to fairness & inclusivity • Be reflective in your application form and your interview: what did you learn from your experiences, both positive and challenging? • Try to use a range of examples from different experiences, settings and with different clients. • Try and get a clinical psychologist to read your application form, and ask for honest feedback. • Remember it’s your form though – asking lots of people for feedback may provide conflicting advice. • Check your spelling and grammar.

6. Top tips for applying • Use the past papers for practice (try and practice under exam conditions), and practice answering questions in front of others who will give you honest and constructive feedback. • At Lancaster the interviewers will not read your forms, so remember you can use examples you used in your form during the interview. • Think about what you are comfortable disclosing during interview / presentation. • Be professional at all times. • All the information you need to know about the application process is on the Lancaster University DClinPsy website.

7. Top tips for applying • Staff and trainees at Lancaster are very welcoming and will try and make interviews as relaxed a process as they can – they want to try and get the best out of you! • Helpful reading/websites: • British Psychological Society. (2009). Code of Ethics and Conduct.Leicester: Author. • British Psychological Society. (2010). Generic Professional Practice Guidance. Leicester: Author • Knight, A. (2002). How to Become a Clinical Psychologist: Getting a Foot in the Door. Hove, East Sussex: Brunner-Routledge. • www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum • www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health • www.nhs.uk

8. A typical week • A Lancaster trainee’s week usually consists of: • 1 teaching day at the university • 3 placement days • 1st year: 6-month Child & Family; & 6-month Adult • 2nd year: 6-month Older Adult/Physical Health/Neuropsychology; & 6-month Learning Disability • 3rd year: 9-month Specialist placement • 1 study day

9. Support networks • Cohort • Peer supervision • Buddy • Clinical tutor • Research tutor • Placement supervisor • Placement colleagues • Line manager • Mentor • Personal therapy • Socialising outside of university, for example: • activity weekend organised by university during induction, and • activities we have organised: nights out, a weekend away in Yorkshire, taking part in charity events e.g. NHS triathlon for Mind, and a 40-mile walk for The Alzheimer's Society.

10. British Psychological Society Benefits of BPS membership • Collective membership has a powerful voice in raising the profile of psychology, developing standards and advancing the discipline. • Offers member benefits such as: • Psychologist appointments - job vacancies and careers advice • Conferences / Events / Courses • Reduced rates for our members • BPS Learning Centre - discounts on CPD courses • Publications / Journals / Books • Discounts on other publications via the BPS Shop • Discount of 30% on books from BPS Blackwell • 20% discount on selected books from Oxford University Press • Free online access to the Society’s academic journals, and other selected journals • The Psychologist – free subscription to the Society’s monthly magazine • Library membership - access Europe’s largest psychology library at Senate House in London. • Networks and communities - network and communicate with like-minded people in scientific, professional, regional and special interest groups

11. BPS • Annual fee: • Annual Direct Debit (DD) fee: Graduate members: £118 (plus £20 one-off application fee) • A reduced annual DD fee may apply if you have graduated within the last 3 years: £57 • or you are enrolled on a postgraduate qualification and in receipt of insufficient income to pay tax: £28 • Annual DD fee: Studentmembers: £55 • Student Members not earning a taxable income: £20 www.bps.org.uk http://northwest.bps.org.uk www.facebook.com/BPSNorthWest www.facebook.com/NWPsych

12. Division of Clinical Psychology • Your membership will increase the representation of the Division, and enable it to press with more weight for changes to benefit the profession and its members. • £16 annual membership fee • Benefits of membership: • Discount for the DCP Annual Conference. • Discounted or free attendance at DCP events. • Automatic membership of your local DCP Branch. • Receive monthly Clinical Psychology Forum which keeps you informed of current important events and issues to the profession. • DCP eBulletin keeps you informed of latest events by e-mail. • Access to the Members' Area of the DCP and BPS websites. • Pre-qualified members are automatic members of the Division's Pre-Qualification Group. http://dcp.bps.org.uk

13. North West DCP • Members of the DCP (of all grades) living and/or working in Manchester, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and the Wirral, Lancashire and Cumbria are also members of the NW Branch. • The Branch: • Represents the membership at professional forums in the North West; • Provides continuing professional development in the form of events and conferences, offering free or reduced rate attendance; • Develops links with the North West Universities, Special Interest Groups, Assistant Psychology Groups, & Pre-Qualification Group; and • Offers advice to members • The Branch holds professional meetings 4-6 times a year and organises an annual conference and events with other groups and committees. • As a member of the Branch, you are welcome to attend Branch Committee meetings and contribute to Branch activities. http://dcpnwest.bps.org.uk

14. Thank you for listening • Any questions?