This master's-level apprenticeship has been developed to bring more CAPs into the health services, whether that be up-skilling current staff or bringing in fresh talent.
During the apprenticeship, each CAP will learn valuable clinical skills in their scope of practice (e.g., adult or child) that are applicable to their workplace.
This involves gaining knowledge, skills, and behaviour alongside key BPS (British Psychological Society) CAP competencies to enable the apprentice to work compassionately and appropriately.
The University of Kent partners with NHS organisations and independent providers to develop highly skilled Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) apprentices who can make an immediate impact in service delivery. Our programme is designed to support workforce development priorities across health and care systems, helping employers grow sustainable psychological services and build internal capability.
This apprenticeship follows the Level 7 Clinical Associate in Psychology Apprenticeship Standard. Upon completion, learners will gain a Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship Clinical Associate in Psychology and an MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology.
All applicants must hold an approved qualification in psychology (Class 2.2 or higher) and passed the empirical project in an undergraduate degree accredited by the society. Any applicants without level 2 qualifications in English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the endpoint assessment
The maximum funding for this apprenticeship is £16,000, which can be covered by the Apprenticeship Levy or by government co-investment. The employer pays the salary of the apprentice during training and post-qualification.
The programme can start at various time points throughout an academic year. The next programme aims to start in January 2027.
The apprenticeship lasts 18 months, with apprentices spending most of their week in the workplace.
The programme includes 1 day per week of online teaching and 4 hours per week of ‘Directed learning time’ where the apprentice studies independently. The rest is spent with the employer.
Alongside the studying 1 day a week, apprentices are expected to attend a two week-long face-to-face teaching blocks during the period of the programme.
This module includes practical workshops, lectures, and talks, featuring input from those with lived experience, to enhance understanding of key clinical and professional skills in Clinical Psychology.
Apprentices learn and practice therapeutic skills, build confidence in working with individuals experiencing difficulties, and gain a deeper understanding of mental health disorders and relevant policies.
The module also offers opportunities to develop teamwork skills and reflect on individual experiences.
This module guides apprentices through the psychological intervention journey, from receiving a referral letter to assessment, formulation, and intervention.
It includes views from individuals with lived experience and case studies. Apprentices learn to conduct thorough assessments using various methodologies and considering multiple factors.
This module teaches apprentices to utilise and critique the evidence base in clinical cases. It covers the importance of trying different approaches when there is no clear treatment consensus, and introduces a range of evidence-based models and interventions.
Apprentices learn to make informed decisions on interventions, focusing on a different approach each week.
This module focuses on how the journey of intervention delivery varies across different types of services. Apprentices learn the similarities and differences in terms of what approaches are utilised across different services, and how to determine what makes an appropriate and effective approach for a service.
The module includes the study of global factors that are important to consider when working with clients, and what adaptations are required to ensure materials and sessions best meet the needs of client. There is also the opportunity to explore the different methods of delivering interventions, including group therapy.
This module focuses on the different ways in which it is possible to contribute to the improvement of a service. This includes service evaluation, audits, research, providing support with a team and the delivery of teaching and training.
Apprentices will gain an understanding of the value of continued learning and improvements within a service, what the processes involve and the factors that need to be taken into consideration. This module is delivered over an entire year, allowing apprentices to design, conduct, analyse and disseminate an improvement project within a service.
This is the final assessment that an apprentice must pass to complete their apprenticeship. This will evaluate whether the apprentice has gained the knowledge, skills and behaviours from the Clinical Associate in Psychology apprenticeship.
If you have any questions about Kent programmes, need help selecting the right apprenticeship or require information on funding, timelines and more, please don't hesitate to reach out.
We're always here to help you navigate through the process.
