Clinical Associates in Psychology (CAPs) Workshop

There has been considerable interest in the potential of psychology graduates to be part of the health and care workforce.

The Clinical Associates in Psychology (CAPs) role is a role with potential to support workforce development in the Psychological Professions.

CAPs initially developed in Scotland where the role is specific either to adults with common mental health problems (similar to IAPT) or children and families.  More recently, Exeter University in partnership with Cornwall Partnerships FT, have trailblazed the CAP role along with the development of a bespoke training programme, to address workforce recruitment problems in the South west of England. 

CAPs train for one year at Masters Level and once qualified operate at a Band 6 level. The CAPs must be supervised by a clinical psychologist and are trained to deliver assessment, formulation and treatment for people with mental health problems.

The vision for the CAP role is to create a new workforce to bridge the gap between graduate psychologist and Clinical Psychologist, developing the career pathway for graduate psychologists whilst enabling services to innovatively meet patient needs. CAPs are a unique way to address the psychology and wider mental health recruitment challenges.

The Apprenticeship Standard for CAPs is in the process of being approved and from January 2020 the Master’s Level Training Fees will be available to organisations through the Apprenticeship Levy.

In the North West and across the North of England there is growing interest in the potential of these roles. 

The PPN organised a workshop on Thursday 7^th November 2019, 1pm – 5pm at the King’s House Conference Centre in Manchester. 

The workshop aimed to provide an opportunity for Psychological Professions’ Leads, Service Managers, Workforce Planners, Commissioners and Education Providers to come together to explore opportunities to develop this role in the North West.

Click the sliders below to access the resources from the day