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National Occupational Standards

What are National Occupational Standards?

National Occupational Standards (NOS) are statements of the skills, knowledge and understanding needed in employment and clearly define the outcomes of competent performance (QCA's definition).

Why do we need NOS?

NOS have numerous uses in the workplace or in the development of the individual. These include: recruitment, staff development review, promotion, identifying training or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs, and staff planning.

Defining NOS for the different Divisions of psychology helps to define areas of expertise and common competences, helps to define the role of psychologists, and creates a consistent approach to developing and accreditting training and qualifications.

What are the benefits of NOS?

NOS can assist the individual psychologist, their employing organisation and the Society.

For the individual Psychologist

• Helping to ensure that Psychologists' skills and knowledge match a job description
• Assisting in providing evidence for an appraisal/staff development review
• Detailing competences, knowledge and skills for use at interview
• Assisting in matching skills and knowledge for a promoted post
• Providing key roles when updating a CV
• Assisting members in meeting CPD requirements.
  

For the Employer / Business / Organisation

• Identifying professionals that are capable, competent and well trained
• Contributing to organisational goals and service provision
• Contributing to clinical governance
• Informing the design and delivery of staff training programmes
• Planning for staff development and retention
  

For the Society

• Informing qualifications development
• Informing the design and delivery of professional training programmes
• Informing decision making related to APL
• Informing decision making related to applications for Registration

NOS Projects

There are five projects which have been approved by MPTB and the Board of Trustees. Click on the link below for further details:

Further information on the projects

NOS Generic Key Roles (2002)

The six Generic Key Roles are available to download individually. Click on the link below:

Titles and Units

Contact Us

If you have any queries or comments regarding National Occupational Standards please contact us using the following:

E-mail: enquiry@bps.org.uk
Tel: 0116 252 9568
Fax: 0116 252 9921