1. BECOMING A CHARTERED OCCUPATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST OVERVIEW Phil Leather

2. WHAT UNDERPINS CHARTERSHIP? “Chartered Status is designed to fulfil the dual purpose of protecting the public and helping to build public confidence in the profession. Chartered Psychologists are expected to have attained threshold levels of competence in relation to the knowledge-base and skills relevant to their area of work and to adhere to the Society’s required standard of ethics and professional conduct”

3. CORE CHARACTERISTICS OF OP PRACTICE “Sound occupational psychology practice is based on practice and research skills that demonstrate work with clients and systems based on a scientist-practitioner and reflective-practitioner model. This incorporates a cycle of assessment, intervention and evaluation. Hence occupational psychologists can generalise and synthesise prior knowledge and experience in order to apply them in different settings and novel situations, and are able to think critically, reflectively and evaluatively within a framework of evidence- based practice.”

4. PROCESS OF BECOMING CHARTERED (AFTER GBR) Stage 1 –Knowledge Dimension (eight areas) –Research Dimension Stage 2 –Structured logbook of supervised practice Breadth - practical application skills that underpin at least five of the eight knowledge areas Depth – practice within the consultancy cycle in at least one of four fields of practice: –Work & the work environment –The individual –The organisation –Training These relate to four NOS key roles defining skills relevant to: ethics, practice, research & evaluation and communication.

5. THE ROLE OF THE SUPERVISOR (STAGE 2) To guide you through the development of professional competence & accumulation of required evidence Review your progress Assist you in application of knowledge base Help you put together a programme of work that will meet requirements for breadth & depth Ensure ethical practice Not just a monitoring role but one of coaching, metoring, tutoring and support

6. SUPERVISORS Supervisors be a COP with a minimum of one years’ practicing experience Have some form of formal contract with your supervisor to include: –Fees –Nature of supervision –Responsibilities ‘Local’ supervision can supplement but not replace need for COP supervision

7. FURTHER INFORMATION The BPS website, especially …. ‘Qualification in Occupational Psychology. Candidate Handbook’. The British Psychological Society Qualifications Office 2007-2008 http://www.bps.org.uk/exams *Look for advertised training sessions facilitating chartership.