Induction and Supervision for Newly Qualified Educational Psychologists

Abstract

Summary It is increasingly recognised that professional development is a long‐term if not a life‐time activity and does not end with initial ‘qualification’. Most professions now acknowledge the need (requirement or even entitlement) for continuing professional development (CPD) following initial qualification; some professions are even able to require newly qualified entrants to accumulate a specified number of CPD ‘units’ over their first few years, other professions require a ‘probationary year’, and other professions have well‐developed induction and supervision procedures. The profession of educational psychologists is in the process of looking at initiatives in these three areas. Within the BPS there is a standing committee on continuing professional development, looking at procedures for developing this area across the different branches in applied psychology. Secondly, there have been discussions within the BPS concerning the structuring of the post‐qualification year (pre‐Chartered status) and possible requirements for the year. Thirdly the DECP of the BPS has had an active subcommittee over the past few years looking at the whole area of supervision (both of trainees and qualified EPs) within educational psychology. These areas are discussed further below.