The North East
Psychology Forum
(NEPF)
Who, what, why, and
how we can help!
Lloyd Oates
Shell Goshawk
Carlie Watson
From NRGPG to NEPF
The History….
2008
Northern Regional Graduate Psychologists Group (NRGPG) is created Provides informal forum to debate issues within psych services & provides
learning on roles of psychologists. (Particular reference given to concerns
within NHS / Clinical Psychology route)
2010
Political changes to NHS
AP / RA places become
less frequent, more competitive
& the beginnings of IAPT emerge..
NRGPG changes hands (chair & committee nominated
each year) & continues to debate & take part in
assistant groups within NHS trusts in the North East.
2011 - NRGPG’s committee of 2011 totals to
4 & becomes The North East Psychology Forum
NEPF undergoes rebranding to reflect being open to
support all routes of psychology & all interested (not
just psych grads)
2011 / 2012 – NEPF have a successful
year; run 10 events spanning a range
of psych routes & help upwards of 200
people progress their careers.
2012 – 2013 NEPF’s committee moves to 2 coordinators
Continues to run events with a focus on career advertisement; introduce
Educational Psychology pathway talks.
2014 – 3 Coordinators in post (Lloyd, Shell & Carlie)
2014
The NEPF now:
Who are we, and what do we do?
We’re volunteer coordinators pursuing a career in
psychology related field just like you
Who are we, and what do we do?
• Job vacancy information
AP, PWP, RA (sometimes SW, HCA)
• Latest research updates
• Behind the scenes advice
(jobs, interviews, signposting)
• Supporting local projects
(recruitment, advertising)
• EVENTS!
Events from the past 2 years:
Cognitive rehabilitation in stroke patients
Life as a Doctorate Fresher
Life as a qualified Clinical Psychologist
NHS application form workshop
Young Offenders Mentor recruitment evening
Neuro-rehab service recruitment workshop
Preparing for clinical doctorate interview
Life as an Educational Psychologist Trainee
How to get into Occupational
Psychology
Life as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
What do WE know?
We’ve experienced what you’ve experienced!
We’ve all undergone numerous applications,
interviews and knock-backs so have experience of
the competitive side of psychology…
What do WE know?
Lloyd Oates
We’ve experienced what you’ve experienced!
We’ve all undergone numerous applications,
interviews and knock-backs so have experience
of the competitive side of psychology…
B.Sc Forensic Psychology (Hons) at Teesside
M.Sc Health Psychology at Teesside
PGC (low intensity) at Newcastle
Supervisor course
Michelle Goshawk
PWP roles
B.Sc Psychology (Hons) at Northumbria
Support worker roles in ABI
M.Sc Clinical and Health Psychology at Newcastle
AP roles in third sector
RA positions
Lots of voluntary roles; NHS Inpatient MH, AP, RA,
Higher AP (Psychology Practitioner) FLD.
Carlie Watson
B.Sc Psychology (Hons) at Sheffield Hallam
Service lead for Youth Offending Mentoring Service in N.E
PGC Primary Mental Health Care (Teesside)
M.Sc Forensic Psychology Sept 14
PWP roles (both NHS & Private)
Voluntary roles (USA, Rape Crisis)
How the NEPF has helped…
The NEPF were recently asked for some advice regarding an AP interview.
Following some helpful tips around possible role play material and
reassurance that the member sounded on the right track, the member
emailed us a week later extremely happy; the member had been offered a
position!
‘The info you gave me has been very helpful, and you have helped reassure
me that I am currently on the right path with my preparation so far’
‘The panel gave extremely positive feedback and were shocked when I told
them afterwards that it had been my first assistant interview!’
How the NEPF has helped…
The NEPF were recently emailed about the route to being a PWP and with
particular reference to the PWP training element.
The team shared their experiences of training as a PWP, and helped provide
the member with helpful comparisons regarding the difference between
services and training courses.
The member was kind enough to get back to us and let us know how they’d
got on:
‘Firstly thank you so very much for getting back to me. Your advise was very helpful
when I was preparing for my interview! I would like to let you know I have now got
onto an IAPT course!!’
How to find us
Facebook
NorthEastPsychologyForum
Twitter
@NEPsychForum
Email
nepfmail@gmail.com
… no longer using website if you have
heard of it. Social media great way of
contacting people and free for people to
use and access info from us
Can I get involved? YES!!
We reach around 900 people a week & have 660
followers, and so would love you to join if not already
involved.
More importantly… the purpose of the NEPF forum is to
provide a service for YOU!
Bring you the information you want
Help you with questions, support, advice
So… WE NEED YOU to tell us what you want 
Events coming up – Autumn 2014
Teesside social!!!
(insert date, time, meet, plan)
September
The Educational Psychology Route
October
The Clinical Psychology Route
November
The Academic Route
Future events
Managing expectations of the doctorate / A boost back to
clinical
***need to discuss in our meet
Coffee & Clinical
Informal meeting to discuss and critique a research paper
together as group / in small groups if a lot interested
Future events
If you’re not following or
liking us already, do! 
If you have any ideas or
something you would like us to
try and organise – drop us a message.
If you have any questions – will be around for a while after
today’s open evening so feel free to come and have a
chat!
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING! 
Facebook
NorthEastPsychologyForum
Twitter
@NEPsychForum
Email
nepfmail@gmail.com
Any Questions?