This course provides the student with the necessary opportunities to develop advanced skills in the practice of clinical psychology, through a supervised clinical placement in a specialist area.

Trainees undertake placements within an NHS hospital setting over a 6 month period. The trainee, under supervision, manages a caseload and is required to complete private study to inform clinical practice. There is an emphasis on selection of more complex clinical cases.

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Summative assessment is achieved via written reflective logs of clinical practice, NHS supervisor evaluation of clinical competence based on supervision and observation of practice, and providing evidence of the range of clinical work completed via practice logbooks.

To provide experience of working with complex clinical problems.

To provide an opportunity to consolidate and develop clinical skills of assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation within a specialist area of clinical practice.

To provide a venue for the demonstration of original and creative application of evidence-based practice and for theory-practice integration.

Undertake clinical work over a substantial period of time with complex cases

Work in more than one recognised model of psychological therapy

Choose, use and interpret a wide range of psychological assessment methods including formal procedures (use of standardised instruments) and other structured methods (e.g. observation or gathering of information from others) in a specialist area of clinical practice

Develop problem level and case level psychological formulations of complex cases which draw widely upon psychological theory and evidence and incorporate interpersonal, societal, cultural and biological factors

Use such formulations to facilitate client understanding, plan appropriate intervention and assist multi-professional understanding and communication

Revise formulations in the light of ongoing intervention and utilise one or more psychotherapeutic models or approaches to facilitate change with consideration of the psychological, cultural and social circumstances of the client

Based on the formulation, implement interventions appropriate to the presenting problem and to the psychological, systemic cultural and social circumstances of the client and their family

Recognise when intervention by training of others (professional staff, relatives and carers) may be appropriate to promote client change, and implement this

Demonstrate a high level understanding of ethical issues in clinical practice competency

Demonstrate well developed ability to contribute to team management and functioning

Participate effectively in, inter-professional and multi-agency approaches to health and social care

Exercise appropriate autonomy and initiative in professional activities

Manage the physical and emotional impact of own clinical practice

Demonstrate self management skills and independence of thought and action

Students must complete 400 hours of work placement and satisfactorily demonstrate all learning tasks, placement activities and evaluations to receive credit.