Participation Panel

Join our Participation Panel!

If you have had experience of using health or social care services, or caring for those who do, you could contribute to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Queens University Belfast and help to train future clinical psychologists.

The Participation Panel is made up of Experts by Experience (EbEs), who have a variety of experiences with using services, or supporting those who do, alongside staff and trainees from the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme (DClinPsy).

Trainee clinical psychologists spend 50% of their training working with adults, young people, and families in health and social care services. By becoming involved, you can help to ensure that trainees learn directly from your experiences.

You do not need to have any previous knowledge of clinical psychology to join the Panel.

If you are interested or have any questions, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions below, get in touch with our team at dclinpsy@qub.ac.uk, or contact Jenny directly at J.Cross@qub.ac.uk

We are an active group of Experts by Experience (people who have used services, or have supported those who do), who contribute to the training of clinical psychologists on the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) at Queen’s University Belfast. Members of staff on the DClinPsy course, and trainee clinical psychologist representatives, also sit on the Panel.

Our Aims.

To advise on and influence the delivery of clinical psychology training
To promote the importance of service user and carer expertise, both in clinical psychology and more widely
To establish and develop networks of support and learning for EbE involvement, within the School of Psychology, the University, and nationally.

Involvement in Selection

The DClinPsy course has a yearly intake of 21 trainee clinical psychologists, who undertake Clinical and Academic interviews as part of the selection process for the course. Members of the Participation Panel currently sit on, and contribute questions to, each of these interview panels.
Involvement in Teaching
Members of the Participation Panel can offer valuable insights into the patient/service user perspective. This adds depth to theory-based teaching sessions, and places the patient/service user’s experience at the heart of trainees’ learning.

Panel members have contributed to a range of teaching sessions for trainee clinical psychologists, however previously this has tended to be done on an ad hoc basis. We are currently working to formalise procedures for EbE involvement in teaching (for example, matching areas of the teaching curriculum with people’s experiences, consent procedures, and ensuring people have appropriate support to discuss their experiences throughout the process).
Involvement in Research
As part of the DClinPsy course, trainees have to complete two significant research activities. These are a service-related project (such as an audit), and a large-scale original research project, which is completed over the three years of clinical training.

Plans are in development for members of the Panel to provide formal feedback on trainee project ideas at the early project proposal stage, and also throughout the research process. This may include providing feedback during trainee research presentations in Year 1 and Year 3 of training.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
1. What are the benefits of joining the Participation Panel?
In addition to payment for any formal contributions, Panel members will contribute to the training of new clinical psychologists by sharing their experiences, developing skills in selection / research / teaching methods, access support and learning from other Panel members and wider Public and Personal Involvement (PPI) initiatives within the university. Some people may find that their sense of social connection and self-confidence may increase.
1. What is the time commitment for Panel members?
In short, it varies! Two formal Panel meetings are scheduled each year, usually in December and May, with occasional informal meetings to discuss specific issues, if required. If you are involved in selection, teaching, research reviews, or any other activity relating to the course, time required for these can vary, however typically may take between a half day (for teaching), or up to four days (for selection interviews).
1. Do I need to have experience of working with clinical psychologists, or experience of mental health services (rather than physical health, medical, or social care services?)
No, no experience specifically with clinical psychology or mental health services is required. You and/ or your loved ones may have had experience with physical health or medical services, or a combination of physical and mental health services, or social care services.

Trainee and clinical psychologists work in all kinds of settings, including hospital- and community-based mental and physical health, and social care, services. So your experience of using any of these services will have relevance for trainees. You can provide the perspective of a ‘patient’, and offer an insight into people’s experiences of these services, which trainees may not have encountered or fully considered before.
1. Do I need to have a particular level of experience with services?
No. You and / or your loved ones may have been involved with services briefly, or for very long periods of time. You may have experience of many services, or of one specific service. The important thing is your experience and the insight and perspective that you can provide.
1. Do I need to get involved in all of the activities?
No. It is entirely your choice what activities you contribute to. For some, Panel membership and attending the twice-yearly meetings may be sufficient and feel most comfortable. Other people may wish to contribute to specific activities only. Any level of involvement is welcomed and valuable.

It’s important to point out that there is no expectation that you share any of your experiences that you are not comfortable with. For example, if you wish to contribute to a teaching session and discuss your experience with a service, it is important that you only share what feels comfortable for you. Trainees may have questions about your experience, therefore it is vital that you feel safe and supported enough to discuss this. The member of staff who facilitates the teaching session can discuss this with you beforehand, support you during the session, and offer a debrief afterwards.
1. Is there any training provided? For example, if I want to be involved in reviewing research projects, is there research training I can access?
Formal training opportunities are being explored at present, however there is always support available from the Panel Chair, and other members of QUB staff as appropriate (e.g. staff who may be involved in teaching or research on the DClinPsy course).
1. Do Panel members receive any payment for their contributions?
Yes, if you join the Panel you will receive reimbursement for any activities that you are involved in. This includes attending Panel meetings, as well as selection, teaching or research activities. For more details about this, please contact us on dclinpsy@qub.ac.uk, or use the online form below.