PPN NW Newsletter
Wednesday 25th June 2025
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Welcome to the latest edition of the Psychological Professions Network North West newsletter. We aim to bring you the latest updates about our work to join up psychological professionals, associated stakeholders, carers and experts by experience in the region.
A great success! Psychological Practitioners Community of Practice Face to Face Event
On Friday 20th June, 44 members of the Psychological Practitioners Community of Practice (PP CoP) came together for CPD and networking.
We are very grateful to Georgina Shires and Yahya Delair for giving their time and expertise.
Georgina provided an engaging session on using clinical measures meaningfully in practice – with lots of tips taken away.
Yahya’s session was thought provoking and really got us all reflecting on why cultural competency matters in all our practice. Considering how we can meet people where they are and how, as individuals, we can influence our services to consider this topic in a way that brings real impact.
For those that attended, thank you for making the time to join us and for contributing to the day and discussions. The photo shows the group absorbed in a live Padlet activity!
If you would like to contribute to the newsletter (kirsty.mcneilis@gmmh.nhs.uk), find out more about becoming a Co-Chair (elspeth.ward@merseycare.nhs.uk), join the PP CoP, or anything else PPN related (england.ppn.northwest@nhs.net), please reach out via email.
We look forward to hearing from you,
Elspeth, Kirsty, Chloe and Rachel (Co-Chairs) and Phillip (MHWP Sub Group Lead)
Counselling Community of Practice – Schwartz Round
We are now just over 2 weeks away from the Counselling Community of Practice Schwartz Round event!
The theme will be The Day I Made a Difference
It is taking place on Thursday 10th July 13:00 - 14:30.
All members of the Counselling Community of Practice have been invited.
If you have not received your invite please email england.ppn.northwest@nhs.net
If you have received an invite please ‘accept’ or ‘decline’ so we know how many people will be attending.
If you are a Counsellor but not a member of the Community of Practice, you can sign up here.
More information on Schwartz Rounds can be found below.
What is a Schwartz Round?
Schwartz Rounds provide a structured forum where all staff, clinical and non-clinical, come together regularly to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare.
What is the purpose of Schwartz Rounds?
The purpose of Schwartz Rounds is to understand the challenges and rewards that are intrinsic to providing care.
What are the benefits of attending Schwartz Rounds?
Schwartz Rounds can help staff feel more supported in their jobs, allowing them the time and space to reflect on their roles. Evidence shows that staff who attend Rounds feel less stressed and isolated, with increased insight and appreciation for each other’s roles. They also help to reduce hierarchies between staff and to focus attention on relational aspects of care.
The underlying premise for Rounds is that the compassion shown by staff can make all the difference to a patient’s experience of care.
Further information about Schwartz Rounds can be found here.
Psychological Practice in Physical Health Community of Practice
The Psychological Practice in Physical Health Community of Practice (CoP) would like to diversify its Steering Group and is inviting any Psychological Professionals who are not Clinical Psychologists to come forward and share their views on the strategic direction of this important CoP.
To be eligible you need to be a Psychological Professional working in a Physical Health setting with leadership responsibilities.
If you are interested or want to have a conversation with the CoP co-chair you can email Co-Chair Louise Roper: louise.roper@lhch.nhs.uk.
The CoP also have a number of Peer Learning Events throughout the year. To find out more please sign up here.
ADHD Taskforce
The independent ADHD Taskforce was commissioned by NHS England in 2024 as part of a series of measures to address concerns about timely access to diagnosis and support, and the impact of unsupported ADHD on individuals, services and the wider economy. Part 1 of the Taskforce’s report has now been published.
You can find the interim report that has recently been published here.
You can read more about the Taskforce and wider work on ADHD here, and in the press release here.
The New Oliver McGowan Code of Practice has been launched
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, marking a significant milestone in improving healthcare for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
The Code, which supports the statutory training requirements introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022, was laid in Parliament on 19th June 2025 and sets clear standards for CQC-registered providers.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism – named after Oliver McGowan, who tragically died in 2016 after a severe allergic reaction after receiving medication despite family objections – is the government's recommended training package. You can find out more about Oliver's training here.
BPS and BABCP registration schemes for Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners - opens next week on 30 June
Both the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) have been recognised by NHS England as meeting the requirements to provide individual registration schemes for Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners (MHWP).
Practitioners will be able to choose whether to join the register with the BPS or the BABCP. Both BABCP and BPS will launch their MHWP registers on 30th June 2025.
It will be a requirement for all MHWPs working in NHS commissioned healthcare to be listed on one of these registers no later than the 30th of June 2026.
Training Opportunity: Postgraduate Diploma Couple Therapy for Depression.
Do you offer Talking Therapies in your service?
NHS England and Tavistock Relationships have developed an opportunity for staff to be trained and developed (fully funded) for 3 years through the completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in Couple Therapy for Depression.
Couple Therapy for Depression is effective in reducing couple distress where one partner has depression.
Disability Pride Month
Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July. It’s an important moment for disabled people to come together as a community. An opportunity to share experiences and start conversations.
It’s a celebration of the creativity, resilience, and achievements of disabled people.
Disability Pride Month is for anyone who is disabled – or anyone who wishes to show their allyship by celebrating their disabled communities, like businesses.
Having a dedicated month provides a focal point. It's a time for embracing disability identity positively. And challenging the negative attitudes that hold disabled people back.
To find out more check out Scope’s website here.
PTSD patients show long-term benefits with vagus nerve stimulation
In a first-of-its-kind clinical study, scientists at The University of Texas at Dallas and Baylor University Medical Centre showed that patients with treatment-resistant PTSD were symptom-free up to six months after completing traditional therapy paired with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
Free BPS events this month
DClinPsy Reflective Space (online)
1st July 2025 18:30 - 20:00
This reflective space is designed to offer a validating and supportive environment for aspiring Clinical Psychologists who were not offered a place on training this year and were not successful at the application or interview stage.
Recognising the diverse experiences within this journey, there is an alternative space on Thursday 3 July for those who were placed on a reserve list, either for an interview or a training place.
Connecting People, Place & Practice in Environmental Psychology (online)
2nd July 2025 10:00 - 14:30
This inaugural online event by the Environmental Psychology section will appeal to both BPS members and the wider community interested in the intersection between people, places, and psychology.
Addiction and alcohol related brain injury (online)
18th July 2025 15:00 - 17:00
Join consultant clinical neuropsychologist Henk Swanepoel and members of the South West Branch to understand the impact of alcohol on the brain and the syndromes associated with alcohol-related brain damage.
Learn about how alcohol causes damage to the brain, the cognitive effects of alcohol and the neuropsychiatric problems that arise from alcohol use.
Qualified MHWP workforce opportunity
Over the past 3 years the University of Exeter, in collaboration with NHS England, has been piloting a PG Diploma for qualified PWPs. The programme is based around the pillars of advanced clinical practice, with modules including Supervision, Leadership, Evidence Based Practice, and Enhanced Clinical Practice (further detailed programme details attached).
The University is now in a position to further expand the reach of this pilot programme and is inviting qualified and experienced (minimum 12 months qualified) MHWPs to undertake the programme.
This is an exciting opportunity to complete this diploma level qualification and, as a student on the programme, engage with ongoing evaluation to ensure the learning needs of all Adult Psychological Practitioners (PWPs and MHWPs) are met.
The programme is delivered entirely online and therefore is open to any MHWP working across England.
Although the programme had initial HEE funding for the first 2 cohorts, this is not currently available due to changes in the NHS-E ETAP process.
This means that individuals undertaking the programme will need to have financial employer support or self-fund.
The programme can also be completed one module at a time over a 3-year period.
The next intake is due to commence in September 2025.
The University of Exeter has arranged two optional drop-in information sessions on Tuesday 8th July 2025 at 10:00 -11:00 and 14:00 - 16:00
These sessions will provide an opportunity to ask any questions in regard to the programme, including practicalities of joining the programme.
Tuesday 8th July 2025 10:00-11:00
Meeting ID: 360 437 445 970 1
Passcode: xi6Qh3mP
Tuesday 8th July 2025 14:00-15:00
Meeting ID: 394 829 952 987 2
Passcode: 42Wf6dF3
To discuss joining this programme, please contact Katie Lockwood (Katie.Lockwood@exeter.ac.uk) as Co-Programme Leader by Friday 18th July 2025.
It is important that any applicants also have support of their manager.
Psychologically Informed…Change Your Mind, Change Your Life
Welcome to this week’s Psychologically informed, a space where PPN NW members can share something psychologically related that stirred them in some ways.
This week’s Reb Aziz-Brook, Assistant Psychologist talks about Change Your Mind, Change Your Life BBC One show.
Recently I tuned into an episode of Change Your Mind, Change Your Life on BBC One. The show joins Matt and Emma Willis on people’s transformational journeys as they are paired with leading therapists and talk through the things that many people face.
The programme shows parts of people’s therapy sessions where you can see how the therapist and client work together to support the client. It was really interesting to see the techniques therapists and psychologists used to demonstrate concepts to clients. This demonstrated the use of props, such as a toy bus to demonstrate the Passengers on a Bus Metaphor from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. As a new practitioner, it made me think about how I could incorporate more engaging material into the psychoeducation I deliver with clients to bring some of those concepts to life.
At times, I felt for the sake of showing people’s journey in a single episode, it suggested some of the things people were dealing with could be ‘solved’ in a matter of three sessions. It would have been good to maybe have a disclaimer alongside!
That being said, I think it’s a really good way to open the door on what happens in a therapeutic space to hopefully remove the stigma attached to it. Showing real people being supported by real professionals with many relatable stories. To show that it’s not all laying on couches with a menacing therapist peering over you!
Are you a member of one of our Communities of Practice?
By receiving this email you are a confirmed member of the PPN NW; however, have you considered joining one of our Communities of Practice (CoP)? Please see links below for information on how to join one of our CoPs:
PPN NW Mailing List Review
The Psychological Professions Network depends on the engagement of its members. To do this we need to ensure we have an accurate and up to date register and mailing list to enable us to keep you regularly updated with events, policy changes, projects and more.
Due to an error on our website registration form, a number of people who have created PPN NW accounts have automatically been opted out of communications and, therefore, are not receiving professional updates or event opportunities – effectively negating any benefit of being a member! We are therefore in the process of opting all of these members back into communications. Please do email us if you wish to remain opted out of communications.
What are we asking you to do?
Being a member of our PPN NW Mailing List allows us to invite you to bespoke Community of Practice events and workshops, receive our newsletter.
We will not share your information with any third parties or send you any promotional emails that are not connected to delivering psychological health and wellbeing within an NHS-commission space.
Please email the PPN NW at england.ppn.northwest@nhs.net if you wish to be removed from the PPN NW Mailing List.
You can update your own details, for both Membership and Communications Preferences, at any time by visiting the website here, this includes your profile with your most recent job title, professional role, banding and ICB etc.
Share Your News!
Please email the PPN-NW team at england.ppn.northwest@nhs.net if you have an update from your work or local network that you would like featured in one of our upcoming newsletters. We want to boost important events and developments from around our region, so let us know what’s going on where you are!
Interested in joining the PPN?
Anyone can join the Psychological Professions Network! Whether you are a member of one of the psychological professions, another professional of any discipline, an aspiring psychological professional, or a member of the public, you can sign up and join us for free.
