Clinical Psychology

The Statement of Equivalence in Clinical Psychology

What is the Salomons SoE Programme?

The Salomons SoE Programme is for psychologists who are working in Kent and East Sussex and who are working for NHS Health and Social Care Trusts in South East London. The Programme is funded by NHS training commissioners (Strategic Health Authorities) and delivered in partnership with NHS Trusts.  The Salomons SoE Programme supports candidates, supervisors and employers in navigating the Statement of Equivalence process. The Programme has a capacity of 20 places at any one time. It is a part-time programme that usually takes 6 months to 2 years to complete while continuing to work in the NHS.  Each member of the programme develops their own individualised training or adaptation plan, setting out how they will complete the requirements set for them by the BPS.  The Salomons SoE Programme provides a Co-ordinator of Training/Co-ordinating Supervisor, hosts 5 study days per year and provides individual consultation and research supervision.

Who can Join?

There is no fee to candidates or employers for the use of the Salomons Statement of Equivalence Programme.  There are four criteria for eligibility to apply for the Programme:

a) You must work in Kent or East Sussex or for an NHS Trust in South East London.

This catchment is strictly defined in order to comply with the boundaries of our commissioners and in order to tie-in with the boundaries of other local training providers.  The Trusts in this catchment that currently employ Clinical Psychologists are detailed below.  Most of these have current jobs advertised on their websites. 

SOUTH EAST LONDON
Bromley Primary Care NHS Trust          
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Trust       
Oxleas NHS Trust
South London and Maudsley NHS Trust

KENT
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust
Kent and Medway NHS Trust

EAST SUSSEX
Sussex Partnership NHS Trust
(former East Sussex County & South Downs areas) 

If you work in Kent or East Sussex your employer does not need to be an NHS Trust.

(b) You must be in possession of a letter from the BPS Committee for the Scrutiny of Individual Clinical Qualifications (CSICQ) detailing additional training requirements that you need to fulfill to achieve the Statement of Equivalence;

(c) Your employer must be in support of you joining the Programme and undertaking the Statement of Equivalence;

(d) You must have a realistic prospect of completing the process within two years, or in exceptional circumstances, three years.

(e) You must have a fluent use of English language which must be equivalent to IELTS level 6 at the start of the programme and level 8 by completion of the Statement of Equivalence.

Joining the Programme

There are two selection periods each year, in June and December, and potential   applicants can contact the administrator at any time in the year to register an interest in applying for the next round of selection.  The stages to the joining process are described in more detail below:

A. Selection for employment by Trust

Trusts continue to select for employment in the usual way, with SoE Candidates competing in the open jobs market or in some cases via direct recruitment overseas.  Trusts are likely to adopt different approaches to the job offer for SoE Candidates, offering either:

(a) Permanent employment

(b) A Probationary period or fixed term contract to be renewed if suitable support for the candidate’s SoE training requirements can be arranged (either via Salomons or independently by the Trust)

Some SoE candidates are employed in non-Clinical Psychology posts, for example as mental health workers or assistant psychologists.  Applications will be considered from staff in these positions if there is clear evidence that they will be access to the required placements to complete the SoE.

Some SoE candidates are employed by private, voluntary, and health and social care organisations.  Applications will also be considered from staff employed by such organisations in Kent and East Sussex provided that there is clear evidence that it would be realistic for them to take the necessary time to do placements and that any resulting financial implications have been considered.

The recruitment process is assisted by:

(i) Salomons maintaining a database of advertised/vacant posts within local Trusts and providing this to candidates who contact us who are seeking work. We are currently approached by one or two candidates each week in this position.

(ii) Salomons/employers clearly advertising the requirements for entry to the SoE Programme in order to attract good candidates into local jobs.

B. Selection for membership of the Salomons SoE Programme

The key selection criteria are:

(a) Likely to complete training requirements successfully in less than two years

(b) Likely to remain working in local NHS services on completion

(c) If the criterion a) is not met, this can be offset by candidates possessing specialist skills needed by local services

A full Person Specification can be downloaded.

Selection takes place according to the following procedure:

(i) Application consisting of CV, covering letter and supporting paperwork from BPS and employer.  Employer to confirm length of employment contract and time to be allocated for training requirements to allow timely completion.

(ii) Shortlisting

(iii) Interview and short written task. Panel to include representative of a local Trust, where possible one that is not fielding any candidates.

The potential outcomes of this selection process for candidates are:

• Offer of place on Programme (subject to successful negotiation of three-way agreement)
• Placed on reserve list (valid for six months)
• Not offered place (given advice about re-applying if appropriate)

C. Three-way agreement negotiated between Trust, Salomons and candidate

The three-way agreement makes explicit the commitments of each party in relation to the SoE training process.  It is signed by the candidate, a representative or representatives of the employer, and the Co-ordinator of Training from Salomons.

Draft three-way agreements can be downloaded:

Draft 3-way agreement non EEA
Draft 3-way agreement EEA

Contact us: deborah.chadwick@canterbury.ac.uk