On 01/09/21 - it was announced that as of this year Health Education England:

Has undertaken to fund trainees in psychological professions commissioned professional training based on them having completed two years of qualified practice after completing any previous NHS-funded psychological professions training. Therefore applicants who have started another NHS funded psychological professions training in any of the following but who have not completed two years of qualified practice (two years from the date of the qualifying exam board) will no longer be eligible for HEE funding of their training place and salary from the 2022 intake. 

We request that these measures be reconsidered or considered to be delayed with enough notice for future applicants to carefully consider their options. 

This is because, with little warning, many people have completed or are about to complete an HEE-funded course under the impression of it increasing their chances for the Doctorate. This is something many course providers have recommended both on the Clearing House and live events. Therefore, many have attended these courses on the grounds that it will aid their application for the doctorate.

Many people were forced due to the competitiveness of other roles such as Assistant Psychologist. Others have also felt forced into roles such as PWP or HICBT due to their own financial situations.

By restricting people so suddenly, many are now forced to be stuck into positions they otherwise would not have pursued which risks causing harm to their mental health or will leave the profession entirely, undoing the purpose of these measures. Others also took a loss in their own salary to undertake some of these courses again with the intention that it would improve their chances of getting onto the doctorate. Many of these people have their own financial obligations such as mortgages who are now having to survive with this reduced salary for an additional 2-years.

When signing the contract for HEE-funded courses, there was no mention of these restrictions and to apply the funding clause retrospectively is unethical and cruel. Many of these HEE-funded courses also only contract the applicant for the duration of the training, not the 2-years required post qualification. 

It also amplifies the myth that the value of the training exceeds the work given in return by trainees. While the courses are funded and offer a salary, this is supplemented by the clinical work that is offered in return with many services basing their own targets on the work by trainees.

The further disadvantage comes to those who were forced into these positions due to the competitive nature of other roles such as Assistant Psychologist or because of their own financial situations. Many positions such as the PWP role offers a poor salary which many are now stuck in with no room for progression.

For many people, this literally affects their reproductive rights. Many of them may have intended to begin their journeys to having children (Including IVF and fertility treatment) which they would have put on hold due to applying for this post and knowing the 3-year commitment. For many people who are above a certain age bracket, this will write the profession off for them as they will be gambling between having children or a profession, which is discriminatory.

For the last few years, HEE has increased the number of places for each course in order to meet the need of Psychologists in the UK. By implementing these limitations, many qualified and experienced potential applicants are now unable to apply.

Therefore, we again ask that HEE reconsider these measures.