Further Particulars
This document contains two main sections. The first is general
department/University information. The second section is a document which
outlines the new D.Clin.Psy. course philosophy, ethos and structure so far. The
section is subject to ongoing consultation, and may change in detail.
Part 1: University of Bath Dept of Psychology
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The development of an entirely new Clinical Psychology Doctoral Course is a strategic
development for the University, linking to expertise within the Department of Psychology
and with the School for Health. The Academic Director will have a unique opportunity to
work with the Course Director and others, to develop a D.Clin.Psych. Programme, and
associated continuing professional development, relevant to contemporary healthcare
and through partnership with local clinical psychology services, user groups and carers.
The University has a long standing record of excellence in applied postgraduate level
training and research in professional practice, and is committed to further development
of our CPD portfolio in the fields of psychology and health. The Department of
Psychology has an international reputation in Health Psychology research and training
and a distinctive strength in the development of evidence-based professional practice in
applied areas of psychology. Research in Health Psychology and health-related issues
are a key area of research strength, and we have substantial collaborative links with the
School for Health, as well as close working relationships with local health and clinical
psychology professionals. Several academic staff are engaged in clinical practice within
the local NHS Trust.
The Department offers a highly successful and well-established Masters course in
Health Psychology, which was launched in 1996. Accredited by the British Psychological
Society, the Health Psychology Masters programme recruits around 20–25 students per
year. We are also developing a new Doctoral Programme in Health Psychology. The
Department has well-established links with a wide range of placement providers
throughout the region linked to the Health Psychology M.Sc., and we provide
placements across the world for students in our 4-year Psychology B.Sc. programme.
THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
The Department of Psychology has a distinctive research profile and a record of cuttingedge, theoretically-informed research in applied aspects of psychology. The Department
came into formal existence in 1997 when the University was re-organised into faculties
but for 25 years prior to that we had a flourishing undergraduate and postgraduate
programme of joint degrees within the School of Social Sciences. Psychology is
currently part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences which also includes:
Social and Policy Sciences; Economics; European Studies and Modern Languages; and
Education, to be joined by Health in 2010.
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The Department is ranked within the top 10 of both the Times and the Telegraph league
tables. Details of research currently being undertaken by the Department can be found
at the web site (www.bath.ac.uk/psychology) The Department has a highly successful
undergraduate programme with an annual intake of 70-75 students and a thriving
postgraduate community. We recently launched a new Masters course in Risk, Health
and Science Communication, and offer an ESRC-recognised Masters of Research
programme.
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Part 2: Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Course Ethos and Philosophy
This document sets out the values and standards espoused by the course; the extent to
which we are able to achieve these will be best judged by the quality of our graduates.
The course aims to train clinical psychologists to high levels of competence in the
academic, clinical and research domains. Graduates will not only possess the range of
expected competencies as clinical psychologists but also meta-competencies, meaning
that they will be trained to be capable of extending their competencies into areas not
directly dealt with by their training or where existing knowledge does not provide any
specific indications of how to apply psychological principles to a particular clinical
domain.
Trainees will learn to become highly capable “scientist practitioners”. The course ethos
emphasises the importance of a clear understanding of how psychological theory can be
applied to clinical problems by attention to the empirical grounding for processes,
strategies and techniques in the work of clinical psychologists. A feature of this approach
is the recognition that competent practitioners are able learn and develop a skilful blend
of the scientific basis of clinical psychology (“clinical science”) with reflective practice and
personally adapted approaches (“clinical art”). This type of development requires close
co-ordination between course teaching staff and placement supervisors.
Learning, teaching and training will be research led. Given the present state of the field,
this means that in terms of psychological treatment training, the main therapeutic
approaches used will emphasise the full range of evidence based and empirically
grounded approaches to understanding and treatment of clinical problems. This in
practice will mean behavioural, cognitive and cognitive behavioural approaches together
with empirically grounded interpersonal and systemic approaches.
The training provided by the course will thus draw upon the full range of empirically
grounded psychological theory not only in psychopathology but also in other areas of
psychology such as social and developmental psychology in order to allow consideration
of context and lifespan development. The emphasis in assessment and therapy will be
person-centred in the broad sense. The course also has major strengths in Clinical
Health Psychology and it is anticipated that some students will develop this
specialisation throughout their training whilst gaining core competencies across other
specialties.
The third year of training will allow trainees to have elective placements. They may
choose from a wide range of options, such as general adult mental health work with
supervisory emphasis on the development of expert management, supervisory.
leadership and strategic planning skills, forensic work, to adopt an even more pluralistic
approach to psychotherapy and so on. The availability of such electives of course
assumes the availability of competent supervisors who follow empirically grounded
principles in their practice and supervision. The third year will in general emphasise the
development of higher level supervisory and leadership abilities, with a shift from first to
third year from supervision towards mentoring and peer supervision.
The course emphasises the integration of University based theoretical and skills training
with clinical practice by using a range of research led teaching and learning strategies
including lecturing, workshop based training, small group sessions and so on, matching
the topics to be taught to the methods of teaching. Some academic work will also be
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carried out as part of clinical placements, which integrated clinical/academic teaching
being delivered by supervisors.
The clinical/research/academic integration will be enhanced by teaching which will be
conducted both by course staff (all of whom will be clinically and research active) and
clinical psychologists from across the region. The course will ensure that trainees
develop professional roles characterised by being collegial, incorporating an
understanding of the roles and approaches of professional colleagues in order to enable
good working relationships to promote the psychological well being of service users. An
awareness of the needs of service users, carers and the wider community is also
emphasised. The course training and placements will be based on an understanding of
the importance of equality, diversity and empowerment.
Trainees will be adult learners, and the course will match the requirements of local,
regional and national organisations for competent qualified professionals with those of a
learner-led model of teaching and training. This requires attention and responsiveness to
feedback both from the trainees and from placements and regional representatives. An
important part of this is the substantial representation of both trainees and regional
stakeholders, particularly supervisors, on the committees which direct course functions
(see organisational diagram).
The course will aim to help trainees develop enthusiasm for learning, development and
research in the field. Questioning and in depth investigation will be encouraged; trainees
will be helped to develop personal areas of interest in terms of clinical, academic and
research focus over the entire period of their training in ways which are intended to allow
them to continue to develop once they have qualified.
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Proposed Committee Structure
Clinical Psychology Programme Committee
Chair- Currently Prof Christine Griffin; from September: Course Director
Deputy Chair: Deputy Course Director
Membership:
All course academic staff
Course Manager
HoD and Dept representative
Chair of Health Psychology
Health Sciences Dept representative
Service User representative
Student Representative
Senior representatives from region (2)
SHA representative
(Exists in prototype at present; to be fully convened with ToR September 2010 )
Curriculum Committee
Chair: Academic Director
Deputy Chair: Clinical Director
Membership:
All course academic staff
Designated Speciality leads from course and region; majority likely to be from region
Professional Issues
AMH
Psychometrics
Neuropsychology
Learning Disability
Older Adults
Children
Professional Affairs (inclusive)
Substance misuse
Clinical health psychology
Forensic
Service user representative
Student Representative
(Limited life version to begin work in June 2010; full committee to be convened with ToR
September 2010, with CD standing in as Chair)
Clinical Practice and Placement Committee
Chair: Clinical Director
Deputy Chair: Regional nominee (Convenor of regional Supervisors group; if not, then
this person should be on the membership)
Membership:
Course Director
Course Manager
Clinical lecturers/tutors
Health Psychologist: (Paula Smith)
Supervisors representatives from region (4-6)
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Course manager
Service User representative
(to be convened January 2011; draft ToR September 2010, tbc at first meeting)
Clinical Psychology Research Committee
Chair: Course Director
Deputy Chair: Academic Director
Membership:
Course Staff
Health Psychology representative
Service User representative
Student representative
HoD
Graduate School Academic Officer
Regional research network representatives per specialty
(to be convened January 2011; draft ToR September 2010, tbc at first meeting)
Clinical Psychology Assessment and Examination Committee
Chair: Academic Director
Vice Chair: Course Director
Membership:
Clinical Director
Course tutors (2)
HoD
University Education Support Officer
(to be convened March 2011; draft ToR September 2010, tbc at first meeting)
Clinical Psychology Admissions Committee
Chair: Full time course tutor
Vice Chair: Academic Director
Membership:
Course Director
Clinical Director
Regional representatives (2-3)
Service User Representative
Student Representative
University Admissions Officer
(Limited life group to be convened November; draft ToR September 2010, tbc at first
meeting of full committee Summer 2011)
Clinical Psychology Staff-student Liaison Committee
Chair: Student Nominee (will usually be 2nd year)
Vice Chair: Student Nominee (will usually be 3rd year)
Membership
Course Directors
Two Representatives for each year
Personal Tutor Co-ordinator
Course Manager
(to be set up Sept 2011)
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Clinical Psychology Course Processes Committee
Chair: course manager
Deputy chair: Director representative
Membership:
Junior Admin staff
Student representative
Department Admin Representative
Representatives of other committees as appropriate
(to be convened September 2011; ToR September 2010)
Clinical Psychology Course Executive Group
Directors, Course Manager, HoD
(to be convened April 2011; draft ToR September 2010, tbc at first meeting)
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