This work can develop as part of CAMHS services,and there are an increasing number of Clinical Psychologists working in independent practice who are working with individual schools. Much of this work (both in the independent sector and from CAMHS) is developing in innovative and exciting ways.

The broad aim of the network is to support Clinical Psychologists working with schools, through the following:

• developing a knowledge base of the innovative ways in which Clinical Psychologists work with schools
• developing a network of like minded colleagues
• linking colleagues who want to evaluate their work with schools
• providing a central point of contact for other Clinical Psychologists already working in this area, or who are looking to develop their work with schools
• providing a symposium at the annual faculty conference.

• Are you looking to network with other psychologists within the field, influence the development of Clinical Psychology within these services and willing to share your experiences, knowledge and expertise?
• Do you provide Clinical Psychology input to (amongst others) Youth Offending Teams/Young Offender Institutes/Secure Children’s Homes/Secure Training Centres/Forensic CAMHS/Adolescent Forensic Inpatient Services/The Court?
• Do you work with Young People who are in contact with the Criminal Justice System and/or present with high risk behaviours that could bring them into contact with it?

We endeavour to maintain a presence and voice in multiple places and make connections and offer empathy and curiosity where we can.

A guidance booklet for Looked After Children Services has been developed with the CYP IAPT implementation group. The guidance includes 3 documents (and quick reference guides) for three areas of work:

• Outcome Measurement with Children who are Looked After in Public Care
• The Use of ROMS in Consultation for Children and Young People who are Looked After
• Statement about providing psychotherapeutic assessment and intervention within the Looked After Children (LAC) population

Within CPLAAC, the London and South East branch continues to meet quarterly for networking, peer supervision and CPD opportunities. The Branch has contributed to a recent TACT publication 'Language that Cares' and have been represented in the early discussions on the Mental Health assessment of Looked After Children that is being piloted in some Local Authorities alongside the statutory physical health assessment upon entry to care. 

CPLAAC continues to actively encourage groups from other areas of the country and there are potential branches developing in the North West and South West of England. 

The aims of the Network for Independent Practitioners (IP) within the CYPF faculty are to:

• Enable this increasing group of practitioners to share ideas for good practice, discuss professional issues, and facilitate local networking.
• Encourage reflective practice and enable peer supervision
• Liaise with other key support networks such as BPS IP Special interest Group, CYP Faculty, CYP School Network and AChiPPP to ensure that support offered is relevant and complimentary to existing structures.

The network hopes to contribute to continued professional development by identifying training needs and offering free/ low cost training events twice a year, in addition to supporting independent practitioners who wish to present their innovative work or research at conference level.  Members who are signed up on their BPS contact preferences for CYPF emails will receive emails about the IPN network events.  To date we have hosted some excellent speakers and further information on upcoming events and details on how to book can be found on the main BPS events page.  

Some of the recent training we have hosted include:

1.  Splendid Isolation or Virtual Team? The impact of financial contracting on relationships with families and systems and the 'invisible team' – Working as a sole practitioner with children and families
2. Good Foundations: Clinically Responsible and Safe Independent Practice - Common pitfalls for psychologists as presented by a professional indemnity representative, discussion regarding terms and agreements, contracting, information sharing and note taking.
3. Communication as an IP - issues and ideas for communicating with children, young people, parents and insurance companies; via websites, social media, and Skype; within supervision; record keeping and confidentiality.
4. The use of the WISC V in Independent Clinical Psychology Practice
5. Being an Expert Witness
6. Using ACT to help us to "make friends with fear" in Independent Practice

We are keen to hear from anyone that has an area of specialty or special interest that they would like to present at upcoming events.  

The aim of the network is to provide up to date knowledge from neuroscience regarding early development and the implications for the 0-2 period across child and adolescent mental health work. The focus will be on representing a relational perspective from the infants’ early development and experience; drawing connections to future child and young people’s mental health including the early years and associated behavioural challenges. There is also a spotlight on parental mental health with a focus on the impact for the infant.

The core purpose is to promote a relational perspective on the development of child and an intergenerational understanding of the factors impacting the attachment relationship.

The aim of the network is to disseminate information from specialist organisations related to infant mental health such as the Association of Infant Mental Health (AIMH) and broader government related organisations such as the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) and All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Conception to Age 2.

The network exists to contribute to continued professional development by providing mutual support and information sharing as well as

• Enabling peer supervision
• Identify training needs
• Share ideas and best practice in keeping infant mental health in perspective across childhood

It aims to clarify and enhance the profile and practice of Clinical Psychologists working in Tier 4 services by providing a forum in which to:

• Discuss relevant ethical and professional issues
• Enable peer supervision
• Identify training needs
• Share ideas and best practice

Thereby contributing to their continued professional development. 

There are currently two regional FICAPS groups; South East (SE) and the North West (NW). The NW group’s meetings take place 10.00 to 12.30 on a Monday every two months.

The South East group meet every 3 months for two hours, and use the BPS offices as a venue.

All applied Psychologists working within Tier 4 settings are welcome to attend regional and national meetings.

This includes psychologists who are working with children and young people who have mental health concerns, and those who are working with children who have behaviour that challenges.

The network exits to provide mutual support and information sharing, and to this end it runs an email discussion list, symposium and conferences. Any psychologist who is working with children who have a learning disability is welcome to join.

Our general aim is to promote the development of Paediatric Psychology within the UK, including strategic and policy influence, professional practice, clinical governance, research and training. We have links across many aspects of the BPS and many external agencies with shared aims, such as RCPsych, RCPCH and NHS England.

Read more about

• How are paediatric Clinical Psychology Services organised?
• What do Paediatric Psychologists do?
• What evidence is there that Paediatric Clinical Psychologists are effective?
• What is Paediatric Psychology?
• Children and young people with physical health needs: How psychological services contribute to the care pathway

Paediatric Clinical Psychologists involved in research

• Read the PPN Research Blog 

How to join the PPN

If you are already a member of the Faculty of Children Young People and their Families and would like to join the PPN, or would like to check whether you are a PPN member, please email [email protected] with your BPS number.

Otherwise you must first be a member of the faculty to join the PPN.

Join the PPN Email list

The PPN uses its membership announcement email list to inform its members of activities and initiatives that are relevant to their interests and to make requests for engagement on topical issues. 

If you are a PPN-UK member, you can ensure you receive these emails by checking your communication preferences in your member portal, and ensure you have selected communication by email.

Special Interest Groups

The PPN is not officially affiliated with any Special Interest Groups (SIGs) but attempts to keen an up to date list of Paediatric Psychology SIGs that exist nationally. Further information can be found in the SIG Guidance document. 

Committee Members

Chair: Helen Griffiths

Chair Elect: Vacant

Treasurer: Zoe Berger

Secretary: Suzy Gray

CPD Co-ordinator: Jacqui Boyle

CPD Co-ordinator: James Lemon

Communication:

• Jonathan Gibbins
• Martha Deiros Collado
• Jenny Cropper

Research: Anita D'Urso

SIG Co-ordinator: Vicky Gray

Ordinary Member: Eloise James Gibbs

Ordinary Member: Lisa Barkley

Co-Opted: PMHA: Sally Benson

Co-Opted: FCHP: Harriet Conniff

Co-Opted: International: Yvonne Vance

Co-Opted Member: Clare Coakes

Wales: Vanessa Hammond

Northern Ireland: Nicola Doherty

Scotland: Catriona Moffat

Contact

Email the PPN-UK directly on [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter to hear about all things child health: @ThePPN_UK​