Contract between Co-ordinating Supervisor and Forensic Psychologist in Training:
Co-ordination and Supervision of Training for the British Psychological Society’s
Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 2)
The British Psychological Society and the contract's original author accept no responsibility
or liability for circumstances arising from its use or misuse.
The British Psychological Society requires that training co-ordination is associated with a
written contract from 1st March 2010. In the case of the Forensic Qualification, this contract
should also cover training supervision between the Forensic Psychologist in Training and
his/her primary (Co-ordinating) Supervisor.
The form of the contract is ultimately at the discretion of the contracting parties. This
sample contract provides an indication of the issues that a contract should cover but is not
intended to be either exhaustive or a mandatory template
Contract of Training Co-ordinating and Supervision
Contract: Co-ordination and Supervision of Training for
The British Psychological Society’s Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 2)
This contract is made on the _____ day of the _____ month 20XX, between
FULL NAME…………………………………………………………………………………………,
hereafter known as the Co-ordinating Supervisor (CS), and
FULL NAME…………………………………………………………………………………………
hereafter known as the Forensic Psychologist in Training.
Nature of the Contract
The CS agrees to co-ordinate and to supervise training as defined and described in the
Forensic Psychologist in Training Handbook for the Qualification in Forensic Psychology
(Stage 2) and the Regulations for the Society’s Postgraduate Qualifications and any
approved subsequent amendments.
Standards of Conduct
Both parties agree to be bound by the Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Division of
Forensic Psychology’s Professional Practice Guidelines published by the British
Psychological Society.
The Forensic Psychologist in Training will be expected to meet or be in substantial contact
with the CS at least once per month (as specified in the Candidate Handbook), to be held
usually at a place convenient to the both parties. Where the CS is providing direct field
supervision of the bulk of the bulk of the training activity, the frequency of contact should be
two hours per fortnight. Where face-to-face meetings are difficult to achieve, regular
contact can be maintained by telephone, email, and/ or fax as agreed by both parties.
Illness, Disability or Death
In the case of a medically certificated long-standing illness or disability which prevents
either party from continuing with this arrangement, the contract shall terminate. In the case
of either incapacity, or death, of the CS the Forensic Psychologist in Training is responsible
for informing the Chief Supervisor and for finding a new CS. Incapacity of the Forensic
Psychologist in Training will result in either a temporary suspension of the contract or in
termination of the contract, to be agreed by both parties depending on the circumstances.
(Where the contractual relationship is a commercial one, in all cases, fees paid will be nonrefundable.)
Limitation of Liability
The Forensic Psychologist in Training is responsible for securing and maintaining
employment/placements conducive to achieving the competences required to satisfy the
assessors for the BPS Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 2). However, the CS is
expected to monitor the suitability of the training experience and may need to negotiate
with the Forensic Psychologist in Training’s practice supervisor(s).
The CS shall provide supervision and co-ordination of training in keeping with the terms of
the Forensic Psychologist in Training Handbook for the Qualification in Forensic
Psychology (Stage 2) and the Regulations for the Society’s Postgraduate Qualifications. It
is the responsibility of the CS to ensure the Forensic Psychologist in Training has
reasonable access to training opportunities and to the best available advice and guidance
to develop their knowledge and competences either through direct supervision, or by
identifying and approving suitable designated supervisors appropriate to the competences
being developed. Coordination of training should be recorded in the Plan of Training
reviewed and renewed at three-monthly intervals, and competency development should be
cumulatively recorded in the Trainee’s Competency Logbook.
The responsibility for making best use of supervision advice and for performing to the
required standard in all assessments associated with this Qualification remains that of the
Forensic Psychologist in Training. The Forensic Psychologist in Training is also
responsible for seeking the CS’s approval and signature on paperwork specifically detailed
in the Forensic Psychologist in Training Handbook for the Qualification in Forensic
Psychology (Stage 2) and the Regulations for the Society’s Postgraduate Qualifications
and to ensure that the Plan of Training and Competency Logbook is submitted annually to
the Registrar/Chief Supervisor for scrutiny.
Insurance and Ethical issues
The sole responsibility for obtaining professional indemnity insurance rests with the
Forensic Psychologist in Training and his/her employers (where appropriate) and not with
the CS.
The Forensic Psychologist in Training is solely responsible for obtaining appropriate ethical
clearance for all work undertaken under the auspices (whether joint or otherwise) of this
contract and the Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 2). However, the CS is
responsible for ensuring that any ethical issues in the practice of the Forensic Psychologist
in Training are properly addressed in supervision. Failure of the trainee to accept ethical
guidance from the CS can constitute grounds for withdrawing as CS and the termination of
the training contract. In such cases it is the responsibility of the CS to inform the Registrar
and to inform the Trainee’s employer or operational supervisor of their concerns over the
Trainee’s fitness to practise.
Notice Period
Either party has the right to withdraw from the contract after giving a period of notice of
…………………..weeks/months (delete as appropriate).
Where the CS has a major and immediate concern about the Trainee’s practice which
cannot be resolved in supervision, s/he has the right to suspend supervision until the
matter is resolved either through the agreed conflict resolution process or by higher
authority.
Additional factors agreed by both parties:
(In this section the parties could insert frequency and attendance at supervision sessions;
timekeeping; conflict resolution processes (e.g. arbitration by someone acceptable to both
parties); actions on failure on either side to keep to agreement & etc.)
Further additions to this contract have been agreed by both Forensic Psychologist in
Training and CS as detailed below:
______________________________________________________________
Payment of Fees (where appropriate)
The following arrangement has been agreed for the Forensic Psychologist in Training to
pay the CS.
In the case of failure to pay, the CS may terminate the contract or withhold supervision and
co-ordination of training until such time as payment is made. The CS reserves the right to
increase the fee in the second year of the contract (or in subsequent years if appropriate)
in keeping with any relevant economic factors such as inflation.
Co-ordinating Supervisor’s signature
_________________________________
Membership Number:
_________________________________
Date
_________________________________
Forensic Psychologist in Training’s signature
_________________________________
Membership Number:
_________________________________
Date
_________________________________
Witness (if required by either party)
Name (Please Print)
_________________________________
Signature
_________________________________