• Clinical experience
• Interaction and networking
• Lectures
• Networking
• Online resources
• Practical sessions
• Real-life case studies
• Research project
• Supervisory team
• Video materials
• Workshops

Teaching attendance is mandatory. The academic teaching works in tandem with clinical placements.

Year one will cover core competencies and the knowledge required for clinical practice with adults of working age and later life.

Year two will cover working with children and young people, people with learning disabilities and neuropsychology.

Year three will focus on specialist areas of clinical psychology, and emphasise the development of higher-level competencies and meta-competencies including supervisory, management and leadership abilities.

There is a progressive shift from first to third year from supervision towards mentoring, peer supervision and supervising others.

Throughout the course trainees will also receive specialist teaching on our primary therapeutic models, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Systemic Family Therapy.

The course emphasises the integration of university-based theoretical and clinical skills training using a range of research led teaching and learning strategies. This includes traditional lectures using blended learning, flipping, workshop-based training, problem-based learning, small group sessions, and debates, matching the topics to be taught to the methods of teaching. Teaching is enhanced through the common use of interactive learning methods to ensure an engaging learning experience.

The clinical/research/academic integration is enhanced by teaching which is delivered both by course staff and clinical psychologists from across the region with respective expertise in their fields, as well as teaching by national experts. During the programme occasional teaching days take place in NHS settings as "Away Days". These sessions are also an opportunity for trainees to familiarise themselves with the range of NHS and social care services across the region.

You will usually complete six placements, normally of six-months duration, during the programme. The first two years focus on: core placement experiences. This involves working with adults of working age and adults with issues relating to later life in the first year, and; in the second year with people with intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental disorders and children, adolescents and young people. The first placement is mostly observational at first with only one day per week in placement. This, increases to two and then three days per week placement, as the trainee takes on more clinical responsibility. At this point they then have two days per week at the University. In April trainees will begin their second placement. Some first-year placements are within lifespan services, and in such cases, trainees may remain in the same setting for the whole of the first year.

In the final year, trainees can choose their ‘elective placements’. As the course has a strong commitment to Clinical Health Psychology training, trainees who have not yet had a placement of this kind will be strongly encouraged to choose one in their final year. However, trainees who wish to gain experience in other specialist areas can choose to do so.

Most placements are six months in duration, but in some instances it is possible to have extended, 12-month placements. This may involve ageless services in the first year (covering competencies for working age adults and later life), or specialist services in the third year, where certain therapeutic models (e.g. DBT) or client groups (people who are harder to engage or have more severe and complex needs) require more extended contact.

There may be some flexibility however in timings and placement arrangements according to training needs and interests, provided competencies in the core areas have been attained.

The aim is to arrange placements that meet the requirements of clinical psychology training whilst offering some flexibility to account for the particular needs, interests and career aspirations of the trainee. There is a personal planning and training needs assessment process which is central to making such arrangements work.

A range of other specialisations may also be developed, based on trainee career aspirations and NHS requirements, availability of appropriate expertise and supervisory capacity. Such specialisation can begin relatively early in the course. Assuming sufficient development of core professional competencies, specialisation can be emphasised during the third year of the course through elective placements.

Our training programme works in close partnership with NHS trusts in the South West region. This includes Avon and Wiltshire Partnership, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Mental Health, North Bristol NHS Trust, Sirona and HCRG. We also work with other providers including charities and Student Services. Together, these services provide a range of excellent training placements.

To access the opportunities across the wide region, and meet their training needs, trainees will need to travel over the course of training. It is the responsibility of the trainee to be able to get to their placement and to fulfil the need of work associated with that placement. You are therefore expected to drive your own car or to provide your own transport means and given the rural localities please note public transport is not always available.

Reasonable adjustments are made as required for those trainees with a disability that may prevent them from driving. If you think this applies to you please contact bathcp-admin@bath.ac.uk.

Currently, candidates do not need a full licence at the point of applying. However any offer made to you would be conditional upon you confirming that you will have a valid driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle (or that you will be able to organise suitable independent transport links) for any placements.

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