Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Open Day 20 October 2017 Selection and Admission Dr. Gundi Kiemle Academic Director & Admissions Tutor
National numbers for NHS funded courses 15% of applicants succeeded in gaining a place on NHS clinical psychology training in 2017.
Applications for D.Clin.Psychol. Liverpool We receive around 500-550 applications each year. 2017 intake (started 11 September): 24 NHS funded places (all fees paid & band 6 salary starting at 26,041). For 2018 intake: It is envisaged (but not yet confirmed) that the existing salary and course fees arrangements for clinical psychology trainees will continue to apply to the 2018 intake. Exact numbers of commissioned places per course for 2018 entry are yet to be confirmed.
Why Liverpool? I have worked with a number of qualified psychologists during my time as an assistant who all spoke very highly of the course during their time training which encouraged me to consider applying to Liverpool myself. They highlighted how supportive, understanding and accommodating the course team were and hearing about the focus on personal values and human rights fit with my own beliefs in how I wish to work as a clinical psychologist once qualified. I also had spoken to other peers who had experience of interviewing at Liverpool who had high praise for the positive process, reported feeling valued, and allowing them to feel as relaxed as possible throughout their experience.
Why Liverpool? I had heard that they were open to applications from diverse backgrounds, careers, and clinical experience (not solely academic prioritised). They have a good experts by experience involvement. I also had interests in CAT as a model and was attracted to the focus on three different models right from first year (CBT, CAT, psychodynamic). Political activism, engagement with social and systemic issues, more focus on personal experience/qualities when applying rather than purely academic & research focus. The values of the programme- emphasis on inclusivity and human rights
The annual selection cycle at Liverpool September November 2017 Applications to the Clearing House http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/ Closing date 29 November 2017 December 2017 January 2018 Applications received from Clearing House Stage 1 (internal): Screening for eligibility and shortlisting February 2018: Stage 2 (external): Shortlisting
The annual selection cycle at Liverpool March 2018: Notification of shortlisting outcome: Selected for interview Reserve for interview Application unsuccessful May 2018: Selection interviews (nationally between mid- March and end of May). Outcome: Place offered Reserve for offer Application unsuccessful June/July 2018: Telephone feedback for interview candidates feedback detailed and developmental
Selection is a partnership: University of Liverpool DClinPsych staff + Experts by Experience + NHS clinical psychologists Selection team meets regularly throughout the year (academic + clinical + research) overseeing selection & admission, links to GTiCP and Clearing House, reviewing selection and admission processes, responding to queries, providing training for all involved Shortlisting preparation & training meeting for all shortlisters Interview preparation & training meeting for all interviewers Interview questions decided every year by programme staff + experts by experience + NHS clinical psychologists Post-interview final selection meeting Selection process review meeting Current trainees present throughout selection interviews
Programme Values The Liverpool programme is delivered within a strong values base that promotes a personcentred approach, defends service user and carers' human rights, and emphasises the development of autonomy. The "Liverpool Experts by Experience" (LExE) group acts as a "critical friend" to the Liverpool programme and aims to provide a framework for experts by experience (EbE) involvement across all aspects of programme delivery.
Minimum Entry Requirements All applicants must be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society. English language ability as assessed by TOEFL or IELTS test, if English not first language or university qualifications not taught in English Candidates are generally expected to have at least a 2:1 honours degree in psychology or an equivalent combined honours degree, where psychology accounts for more than 50% of the programme content and examinations. An equivalent of one year whole-time paid experience in suitable (preferably NHS) settings Full and valid UK driving licence (at the time of interview) must be brought to interview
Shortlisting (academic and research) However in practice, we have 500-550 applicants for 24 places! Therefore, candidates are unlikely to be shortlisted for interview if their application only evidences the minimum requirements. The majority (but by no means all!) of our trainees also have a relevant post-graduate qualification (postgraduate Certificate or Diploma/ Masters/ PhD), completed at the time of application Some trainees also have graduate or post-graduate research experience (e.g. paid work as research assistants/ researchers on funded research projects in University or NHS settings) in areas of research that are relevant to clinical psychology. Evidence of dissemination and publication, especially coauthored publication(s) in peer-reviewed journals, further enhances an applicant s score.
Shortlisting (clinical and professional) Relevant work experience e.g. support worker, healthcare assistant in mental health settings, assistant psychologist, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in IAPT Service, Psychological Therapist, CBT Therapist etc, working in NHS (NHS commissioned) services, Working under clinical supervision by a qualified clinical psychologist significantly enhances applicants experience Clinical reference from someone who can fully assess an applicant s suitability Applicants must have paid experience, not only voluntary experience
Shortlisting (Personal and Interpersonal Qualities) Assessed by: Application form Applicant s personal statement Additional/ supporting information Both references Evidence of well-developed interpersonal functioning and communication skills; sensitivity to, and respect for, the needs and rights of service users and carers, colleagues and research participants; and a value base consistent with principles of equality, diversity and other values highlighted in the NHS Constitution.
Shortlisting: Selection for Interview STAGE 1: ALL APPLICATIONS Screening for eligibility and initial shortlisting by internal (programme) staff Rating pre-determined criteria for academic (including research) achievement, relevant work experience, personal and interpersonal qualities, and quality of references Applications scoring above a certain cut-off then go through to Stage 2. STAGE 2: ABOVE CUT-OFF (sub-set) Rating by external staff (NHS clinical psychologists and Experts-by-Experience/ LExE members) same predetermined criteria
Shortlisting: Selection for Interview INTERVIEW OFFERS Top 80 (approx. 14%): confirmed interview offers - therefore shortlisted candidates possess far more than the minimum qualifications and experience Interview reserve list you can be called for interview the day before, or even on the morning of the same day!
Selection for Interview Successful Applicants Successful applicants who are offered an interview are more likely to: Be >25 years of age (the majority are 25-29 yrs at the time of starting on the course) Have usually applied 2-4 times before Have a postgraduate qualification/degree Have several years relevant work experience following their undergraduate degree (clinical and/or research) Have substantial clinical experience in roles comparable to clinical psychology trainees, e.g. assistant psychologists or equivalent roles, predominantly in NHS services, and/or substantial clinically-relevant research experience Have evidence of strong personal/ interpersonal qualities and a clear commitment to clinical psychology
Three Part Interview 1. Preparation of research design presentation in exam conditions (45 mins + extra time for candidates with disability/ support plans) 2. Academic and Research panel: presentation of research design + subsequent questions (up to 25 mins) 3. Clinical and professional panel: questions and materials related to clinical, professional, personal and interpersonal assessment (up to 40 mins)
Interview Panels Each panel includes 3 interviewers: Programme staff member Service user or carer/ Expert-by-Experience NHS clinical psychologist with links to the programme All interviewers rate equally and have equal say Top 24: firm offer + Reserve list
Interviews usually take place in the Foresight Centre During the interviews, the admin team are there the whole time to help and advise (and reassure!). Trainees are always present in waiting areas, for informal chat and questions. Refreshments are available throughout the day.
Interviews: Trainee Feedback Initially I was particularly anxious about the interview process itself as I had a long wait in-between my clinical and research panels. Despite this however, I was made to feel as relaxed and at ease as possible by the other trainees on the day. I also liked chatting to other applicants (some of whom are now also on my cohort!) and it was nice to normalise each other's anxieties as well as have the opportunity to discuss things other than the interview! Also, despite being one of the last applicants of the whole interview process (Friday afternoon at 4.15!), the interview panel members appeared genuinely interested in my answers and provided lots of positive non-verbal feedback which instantly relaxed me. I felt that I was able to get across a more personal reflection within my answers because of been made to feel at ease and comfortable.
Interviews: Trainee Feedback Loved having the trainees there on the day to calm nerves. Enjoyed the process. Really good! The panel were encouraging and gave you space to think and answer each question. Probably one of the best interviews I have ever had! Very fair and challenging enough without feeling too overwhelming. Use of experts by experience was very helpful and made the process feel much more real and authentic. Interview was the best I had been to. Questions asked gave the opportunity to give answers that fully reflected your level of knowledge.
From your own experience, what is the best advice you could give to a prospective applicant? Try to get variety in your experience. Look at what course is best suited to you. Always remember that whatever you're doing before you get on the course all contributes to your development as a clinical psychologist. Within your form, don't write what you think you SHOULD write, instead try to write as honestly and as reflectively as possible not only about your clinical and academic experiences but of other things which have helped to shape you as an individual. It appears that Liverpool as a course really do value individual values, beliefs and attitudes and it is helpful if you can try to get some of this across to the course members during the selection process. BUT there really is no magic formula!!
From your own experience, what is the best advice you could give to a prospective applicant? To be able to get yourself across on your form. If you gave it to someone else to read, would they recognise that it is your form - would they see your personality come across? I was always told this but feel like I was only able to understand and do this last year. Also - NEVER give up! You will get there. Think about your skills and what you want from training. Tailor your application form to the course(s) that you feel would be your best match. For example, there were many reasons why Liverpool was a better fit for me than [..another course] and so I tailored my application around the Liverpool courses requirements and values which I think helped to get me my interview.
How good are we at selection? National completion rates All the courses have excellent completion rates. The national non-completion rate for NHS trainees for the academic year 2015/2016 was only 0.79%, which includes both people who withdrew from a course and people who failed. This is in line with the rate for the previous 5 years which was between 0.51% and 1.03% each year. This means that 99.21% of NHS-funded trainees successfully complete their training.
Post-Qualification Employment For people completing NHS training in 2016, of those who returned data, 95.5% took up employment as a clinical psychologist or in an equivalent post, within 12 months of graduating. Of those working as clinical psychologists or at an equivalent level, 96.6% were working in the NHS or in other public sector funded posts.
Clinical Psychologists (or equivalent level work) EMPLOYMENT by SPECIALTY for 2016 GRADUATES NORTH WEST Addictions Adult Mental Health Child & Adolescent Eating Disorders Forensic Health Specialty IAPT Learning Disabilities Neuropsychology Older Adults Primary Care Psychosis Research/Academia Other Unknown <18 >18 - - <18 >18 <18 >18 <18 >18 <18 >18 <18 >18 <18 >18 - <18 >18 <18 >18 <18 >18 <18 >18-63 0 0 10 13 1 0 1 9 0 6 0 0 2 7 0 3 4 0 2 0 4 0 1 0 0 0
Further information The Alternative Handbook for Postgraduate Training Courses in Clinical Psychology - 2018 Entry https://www.bps.org.uk/system/files/userfiles/division%20of%20clinical%20psychology/public/ Alt%20Hand%202018%20v4.pdf The Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/ Liverpool DClinPsych Entry http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/clin16liverpool.htmll