Government strategy on apprenticeship funding risks the future of the psychological workforce, say psychologists

The future development of the psychological workforce in the NHS and other public services in England is under threat after the government confirmed plans to withdraw funding for Level 7 apprenticeships, according to the British Psychological Society (BPS).

From January, all level 7 apprenticeship programmes will be unable to access the apprenticeship levy. This includes the Clinical Associates in Psychology apprenticeship which has hundreds of new starters every year. 

With this vital pathway into the workforce set to be cut, the BPS is calling for an exemption, so that public sector employers can still access the levy for level 7 apprenticeships to provide high quality training for their workforce. 

Professor Paul Fisher, a Chartered member from the BPS's Wider Psychological Workforce Advisory Group said: 

"Apprenticeships are an integral part of the NHS's ambitions to grow the workforce. The removal of access to the levy for the Clinical Associates in Psychology pathway is a huge step backwards to the NHS and the communities it serves. 

"Given current levels of need the collapse of this route into the profession, which is funded by the Level 7 levy, would be deeply damaging. The government must reverse its decision and grant an exemption for public sector apprenticeships through the levy. This would support its own ambitions to reduce NHS waiting lists and meet targets set out in the NHS People Plan." 

In 2023/24 there were 395 starts on the Clinical Associates in Psychology (CAP) apprenticeship. A recent study evaluating the introduction of a CAP apprentice on an acute mental health ward, found: 

• The increased psychological presence and its visibility on the ward was seen as positive.
• The accessibility of the CAP apprentice helped to manage patients' expectations of psychological interventions.
• Nursing staff were supported in using psychological techniques with patients.

Fisher added: 

"The evidence for the impact of clinical associates in psychology is growing all the time. They provide psychologically informed assessments, formulations and interventions in healthcare settings and are supporting the creation of a more psychologically informed NHS. We must preserve this crucial route into the psychological professions."