Question reference: S5W-34205
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 21 December 2020
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Current status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 6 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31967 by Clare Haughey on 5 October 2020, whether (a) the funded training of additional psychological therapists is available to NHS staff only, (b) it is funding training in (i) clinical and (ii) applied psychology for people who do not work in the NHS, and (c) it is funding training in cognitive behavioural therapy for people who do not work in the NHS.
Answer
(a) The funded training for additional psychological therapists (for both Clinical and Applied psychology) is open to individuals from any sector and applications show that whilst the majority of applicants are from NHS settings there are also applicants from a range of backgrounds.
(b) Each of the NES funded psychology programmes (including the Clinical and Applied programmes referred to above) have defined entry requirements. The programmes combine placement experience in one of the 14 health boards across NHS Scotland with teaching and research over the course of study to allow trainees develop to core competencies. Though prior experience of working in NHS settings may be beneficial to trainees on all programmes, it is not stipulated that applicants are required to work or have worked in the NHS. Entry requirements focus on a range of criteria including but not limited to; academic ability, relevant experience and interpersonal skills.
(c) The funded cognitive behavioural therapy training places are allocated to multidisciplinary staff working within health and social care that meet the relevant criteria. Staff from health backgrounds make up the majority of these training places but those who meet the criteria from non-NHS backgrounds are also considered.