What Workplace Activities do Apprentice Clinical Associates in Psychology Report During Their Training?

The Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) Occupational Standard (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, 2022) sets out a variety of activities within the CAP role, including a broad range of duties to meet the growing needs of NHS trusts. The University of East Anglia (UEA) is one of several programs in the UK training CAP apprentices to help meet the workforce needs outlined in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (NHS England, 2023). This study aimed to categorise the workplace activities that UEA CAP apprentices report undertaking during their training and understand the degree to which these activities relate to the CAP Occupational Standard. Results showed that the range of activities CAP apprentices reported during their training was consistent with the CAP Occupational Standard. The most frequently reported workplace activity was psychological intervention. These findings may be useful for services considering employing an apprentice CAP.