Practitioner Training - Placement 1 | PSYC8013

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Modules

Courses / Modules / PSYC8013 Practitioner Training - Placement 1

Practitioner Training - Placement 1

When you'll study it

Whole Academic Year

CATS points

ECTS points

Level

Level 8

Module lead

Warren Dunger

Academic year

2027-28

Module overview

This practice-based module provides an initial introduction to the role of the Clinical Psychologist whilst working on placement in a clinical setting with adults across the lifespan (either working age and/or older adults). Trainee Clinical Psychologists will gain an understanding of the role of a Clinical Psychologist and how to comply with relevant codes of conduct and ethics in clinical practice (e.g. BPS, HCPC) as well as professional guidance (e.g. NICE). This module places a specific focus on developing BPS (2025) competencies in building effective working alliances with service users to inform assessment practices, developing evidence-based formulations, and using these to implement and evaluate psychological interventions for a range of presenting problems typical for the service context. This includes applying skills in CBT, systemic approaches and/or neuropsychology. Trainees will also develop their communication skills (written and verbal) for a range of audiences. All of these competencies will be underpinned by relevant anti-racist/anti-discrimination and legislative frameworks, as appropriate to the service context. Trainees are expected to attend placement in person, but may also be required to work in other placement settings or remotely. Trainees must ensure that over 50% of their direct clinical activity and time on placement, across the whole of training, is completed in person.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Communicate effectively using a range of verbal and written modalities as appropriate to a variety of different audiences (e.g. service users, colleagues, referrers, etc).
Have an understanding of the role of the clinical psychologist and relevant codes of conduct and ethics in clinical practice (e.g. BPS, HCPC).
Have experience of building effective working alliances with service users and informed consent to inform assessment approaches whilst considering difference and diversity.
Have knowledge and experience of using assessments to develop formulations which are informed by theory and evidence about relevant individual, systemic, cultural and biological factors.
Have experience of implementing and evaluating formulation-driven psychological interventions appropriate to the presenting problem and psychological and social circumstances of the client(s).
Work in line with relevant anti-racist/anti-discrimination and legislative frameworks, and professional guidance (e.g. NICE), as appropriate to the service context.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The Trainee's learning will be supported by supervised practice, self-reflection, self-directed study, and applying related taught content from the wider curriculum on the Programme. Trainees will be expected to observe and be observed by their supervisor. Trainees will receive a minimum of one-hour formal supervision with a suitably qualified clinical supervisor and at least three hours of informal contact time each week. Supervision will provide opportunities for skills development, facilitation of theory-practice links, supporting the maintenance of professional standards and codes of conduct, and reflection on the Trainee’s wellbeing and professional development. A Mid-Placement Review will be conducted by the Trainee’s Tutor halfway during the placement to review their progress and competency development.

Study time
Type	Hours
Placement	400
Total study time	400

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Beinart.H, Kennedy.P, & Llewelyn, S. (Eds) (2002). Clinical Psychology in Practice. BPS Blackwell.

Westbrook, D, Kennerley.H, & Kirk,J. (2011). An Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications. London: Sage.

Dallos, R. & Draper, R. (2010). An Introduction to Family Therapy. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill..

Woods, R.T. & Clare, L. (Eds). (2008). Handbook of the Clinical Psychology of Ageing. Chichester: John Wiley.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Formative Assessment: Formative assessment of the module involves completion of placement documentation including the Initial Placement Contract, Mid-Placement Review Report, and Competency Portfolio. These meetings and documentation allow the Trainee to gain formative feedback from their Clinical Supervisor and Tutor on their performance and competency development. Trainees must also complete and submit two formal observations of their clinical work using formal observation tools. Summative Assessment: Summative assessment of the module is provided via the End of Placement Report which is completed by the Clinical Supervisor to evidence whether the requirements for passing the placement have been met. This includes meeting the minimum number of days on placement, completing at least 12 pieces of work, and performing at a satisfactory level of competency in relation to the BPS (2025) standards and relevant ethical codes of practice (e.g. HCPC). Referral: All placement documentation must be submitted as evidence at the end of the placement via eAssignments. If the documentation is insufficient (e.g. missing information), Trainees will have one opportunity to resubmit the placement documentation. If a placement fail has been recommended on the End of Placement Report, this will be reviewed by the Programme and the relevant External Examiner using placement documentation and supporting evidence. If the ‘fail’ recommendation is upheld, Trainees must gain further experience in this specialty at a time determined by the Programme Team. Failure of a practical placement will lead to failure of the programme unless there has been successful corrective action. Failure of a subsequent placement at first attempt will also result in Programme failure. Further details are available in the Programme Handbook.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Clinical Formative Assessment

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback:
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Clinical Competence	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Clinical Competence	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

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Practitioner Training - Placement 1

Module overview

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Syllabus

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Formative

Clinical Formative Assessment

Summative

Referral

Repeat Information

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