Clinical Associate in Psychology Degree Apprenticeship
As a Workplace Mentor for the Level 7 Clinical Associate in Psychology Degree Apprenticeship you play a crucial role in developing the next generation of healthcare professionals. This programme is designed to equip Apprentices with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to excel in their profession.
On this page:
Programme Overview
The Clinical Associate in Psychology degree apprenticeship is a Level 7 programme that combines academic learning with practical workplace experience. Here's what you need to know:
- Duration: 18 months
- Qualification: IfATE Level 7 Clinical Associate in Psychology degree apprenticeship. MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology
- Designed to upskill healthcare professionals to become competent and skilled in the assessment, formulation and delivery of psychological treatment interventions in a range of clinical settings
- A unique opportunity to gain advanced level clinical skills and training to become a skilled professional clinical associate in psychology
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education's (IfATE) apprenticeship standard which sets out the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours for these programmes can be found here.
Key Components
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- Academic learning: Our model is designed to be flexible around the needs of apprentices and workloads. The Clinical Associate in Psychology Degree Apprenticeship is delivered through a blended learning model.
- Work-based projects: Apprentices will tackle real organisational challenges, applying their learning directly to your business
- Professional development: focus on personal effectiveness and core management competencies
- End-point assessment: includes a review of the Apprentice's portfolio, a work-based project, and an interview
Your role as a Workplace Mentor is vital in guiding Apprentices through this journey, helping them bridge the gap between theory and practice, and supporting their professional growth.
We are here to support you in this important role. Explore the resources and guidance provided on this site to help you effectively mentor your CAP Apprentice and contribute to their success.
Your role as a Workplace Mentor is vital in guiding Apprentices through this journey, helping them bridge the gap between theory and practice, and supporting their professional growth.
We are here to support you in this important role to help you effectively mentor your Apprentice and contribute to their success.
Meet the Team
At the heart of the Clinical Associate in Psychology Degree Apprenticeship programme is a dedicated team of professionals committed to supporting both Mentors and Apprentices throughout their journey. Our team brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion for developing future Clinical Associates.
Gillian Mackie
Email: G.Mackie@exeter.ac.uk
Gill is Co-Director and Academic Lead on the Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) course. She is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who completed her training at the University of Edinburgh in 2011 where she specialised in Older Person’s Mental Health. Gill worked in NHS Scotland in an Older Person’s Mental Health Service before moving to Christchurch in New Zealand where she was involved in the development of a specialist service for older people following the Canterbury Earthquakes in 2011.
Gillian Mackie – G.Mackie@exeter.ac.uk
Jessica Davies – j.f.davies2@exeter.ac.uk
Our Academic Mentors are dedicated to supporting Apprentices in navigating the apprenticeship components of the Clinical Associate in Psychology Degree Apprenticeship. They play a crucial role in guiding Apprentices through the process of compiling their portfolio of evidence, which showcases their learning and development throughout the programme.
Academic Mentors work closely with Apprentices to ensure that they understand the requirements for their portfolios, helping them to document their experiences, reflect on their learning, and demonstrate the competencies gained in the workplace. By providing ongoing support and feedback, our Academic Mentors empower Apprentices to effectively articulate their achievements and prepare for their end-point assessment (EPA). Their focus on practical application and real-world experiences is essential in helping Apprentices succeed in their management roles.
Academic Mentors
Dr. Gillian Mackie - g.mackie@exeter.ac.uk
Dr. Susanna Cole - s.r.cole@exeter.ac.uk - Read more about Susanna Here
James Fargie - j.fargie@exeter.ac.uk
Jessica Davies - j.f.davies2@exeter.ac.uk
Samuel Stephenson - s.stephenson2@exeter.ac.uk
Education Support Administrator - health.apprenticeships.support@exeter.ac.uk
Polly Brunt - Employer Partnership Officer - p.brunt@exeter.ac.uk
Your Commitment Matters
Each member of our team is dedicated to ensuring that Mentors have the resources and support they need to guide Apprentices effectively. We believe that a strong Mentor-Apprentice relationship is key to the success of the Clinical Associate in Psychology apprenticeship programme, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Feel free to contact us with questions, concerns, or for additional support. Together, we can make a significant impact on the professional growth of our apprentices.
Key Information and Events
Staying informed about important dates and events is crucial for effectively supporting your Apprentice throughout their apprenticeship journey. Below are the key milestones and events for the current academic year. Please note that specific dates may vary slightly for individual Apprentices based on their start date.
Initial Contact and Meeting
Shortly after the Apprentice's induction, the Academic Mentor will contact you as the Workplace Mentor to arrange an initial meeting with you. While this meeting is not compulsory, it is highly recommended as it provides an excellent opportunity to establish a strong foundation for the apprenticeship journey.
This initial meeting allows all parties to:
- Introduce themselves and clarify their roles
- Discuss expectations for the apprenticeship
- Address any initial questions or concerns
- Begin building a collaborative relationship
As a Workplace Mentor, your role in supporting your Apprentice's development is crucial. There may be times when concerns arise about an Apprentice's performance or progress. It's important to address these issues promptly and effectively to ensure the best possible outcome for the Apprentice and the apprenticeship programme.
Recognising Performance Challenges
When an Apprentice is struggling, the Academic Mentor will typically notify you via email as part of the escalation process. This communication will outline the specific concerns regarding the Apprentice's performance, such as:
- Consistently missing deadlines
- Poor quality of work
- Lack of engagement in learning activities
- Failure to meet off-the-job (OTJ) training requirements
- Difficulties in applying learning to workplace tasks
Your Role in Addressing Concerns
Upon receiving notification from the Academic Mentor regarding performance challenges, your first step should be to meet with the Apprentice to discuss the issues raised. Here’s how to approach this:
- Arrange a meeting: schedule a private meeting with your Apprentice to discuss the concerns outlined in the Academic Mentor's email
- Ascertain the problem: use this opportunity to understand the extent of the problem; encourage your Apprentice to share their perspective and any challenges they may be facing
- Explore solutions: collaborate with your Apprentice to identify potential solutions or strategies to address the identified challenges
- Create an action plan: work together to develop a clear, achievable action plan that includes specific goals and timelines for improvement
- Follow up: schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress and provide ongoing support as needed
- Document the process: keep records of your meetings, the agreed-upon actions, and the Apprentice's progress
Seeking Additional Support
If you need clarification or further assistance:
- Consult with the Academic Mentor: if you have questions about the situation or need more information about the apprenticeship requirements, reach out to the Academic Mentor for guidance
- Escalation process: if the performance issues persist despite your interventions, or if you encounter a problem that you feel unable to resolve, inform the Academic Mentor
Preventive Measures
To help prevent performance issues:
- Maintain regular check-ins with your Apprentice, such as weekly or bi-weekly meetings
- Provide timely feedback on their work and progress
- Ensure they have adequate time and resources for their OTJ training
- Encourage open communication about any challenges they're facing
Remember, your primary role in addressing concerns is to support your Apprentice's success in the programme. By taking a proactive, supportive approach and addressing issues early, you can help your Apprentice overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
- The next Workplace Mentor training session is to be confirmed. If you would like a recording of the previous training session, please email Polly Brunt, P.Brunt@exeter.ac.uk.
Contact us
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us. I look forward to hearing from you!
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Susanna Cole
Email: s.r.cole@exeter.ac.uk
I am an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist. I completed my Doctoral training at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London in 2007. I then worked in South London and Maudsley NHS Trust for the next 10 years, specialising in working with children and young people with mental health difficulties and most particularly those with additional neurodiversity. I also worked for a short period during this time for the charity Barnardos supporting young people who had experienced trauma or who were receiving additional support from social care. I started practicing privately as a Clinical Psychologist in 2013 offering individual assessment and intervention to children, young people and families. I work integratively and typically use CBT and ACT as primary therapeutic models. In 2017 I moved to the west country and initially worked in local CAMHS. In 2019 I joined the team at the University of Exeter as Clinical Lead on the Clinical Associate in Psychology programme. I am passionate about supporting people with mental health needs and neurodiversity in achieving their potential.
Our Offer
Workshops:
We typically run half day workshops and below are some examples of the topics we can deliver. These can be delivered online or in person to suit your needs. Prices start from £1200 (schools) £2500 (business)
How to create an inclusive work/education environment
Using neuroaffirmative language in education/the workplace
Understanding neurodiversity in the workplace/education
An introduction to Autism
ADHD and education/the workplace
Supporting young people/team members with mental health needs
Coping with exam stress (for parents/for young people)
What works for whom? How to boost productivity of staff/students
Using techniques from therapy to support students/staff (CBT/ACT)
Supporting staff who are carers of people with mental health needs/Autism/ADHD
Building resilience in team members/students
We also offer shorter 1-hour training sessions and can deliver bespoke packages to suit your requirements.
Consultation:
We can provide 1:1 consultation sessions. Prices start from £200 (schools) £300 (business). These consultation sessions are an opportunity for you to use the time as you need to seek advice, discuss difficulties within your organisation, consider how best to support team members/students/parents.
Individual Therapy:
We can also offer 1:1 therapy for young people and 1:1 sessions with parents to discuss concerns and consider strategies to support.
