Last Updated on 01/08/2023

The Inclusivity Development and Implementation Group (IDIG) is concerned with supporting inclusive practice in Clinical Psychology training at Lancaster. It is driven by the value that training, clinical practice and the use of Clinical Psychology services must be accessible to all who can benefit and/or make a contribution. We seek to provide an environment where trainees, staff and all stakeholders can flourish. Inclusivity is the basis for innovation and excellence and leads to robust and respectful practice. However, existing structures, procedures and communications can be experienced as excluding and support is sometimes needed to realise the benefits of diversity. The IDIG’s role is to be proactive in identifying positive ways to enable all trainees to reach their potential and to be vigilant for challenges to this.

The IDIG:

  • Monitors course activities e.g. admissions, teaching and placements, and provides a focus for checking that procedures enhance inclusivity rather than reduce it.
  • Supports initiatives designed to address inequality and to raise awareness of the importance of inclusivity. This includes the annual trainee-led cross-cohort inclusivity event.
  • Provides a hub to collect ideas and concerns of trainees, staff and LUPIN members to signal the need for new initiatives, procedures or modifications.
  • Works to increase recruitment of clinical psychology applicants from a variety of cultural, ethnic, economic, religious and other minority backgrounds currently underrepresented in the clinical psychology profession. The aim of our Widening Participation work described below is to diversify the clinical psychology profession.
  • The IDIG’s Chair updates the programme’s Equality Scheme annually and reports on admissions data, through the lens of inclusivity.

Membership

The Inclusivity Development and Implementation Group (IDIG) is comprised of the following:

  • Members of the DClinPsy programme staff
  • LUPIN members
  • Trainee representatives from each year

Widening Participation activities

The Widening Participation Outreach Group at Lancaster University is passionate about inclusivity and as such we are interested in recruiting clinical psychology applicants from people who identify with a minority group.

Background and rationale

This is a national issue affecting all training courses.

In 2022, 77% of total applicants were white, with 12% of Asian origin, 5% Black and 4% mixed ethnicity. 79% of applicants were female, 76% under 30 years of age, 79% heterosexual and 83% identified themselves as not-disabled.

Our aim is to diversify the clinical psychology profession by disseminating information about how to become a clinical psychologist to sixth form schools and colleges that have large minority populations. Our outreach focuses on recruiting applicants from minority groups who are currently under-represented in the clinical psychology profession.

What we’ve done so far

Some members volunteer for Inspiring the Future and we have been invited to talk about clinical psychology and the course at local schools, 6th Forms, and universities. This has been helpful in de-bunking some myths about admission requirements and sharing our ethos and commitment to diversifying the profession. We have also recently provided a presentation to AQA psychology teachers, who we hope will spread the word to their students and support under-represented groups in considering clinical psychology as a career.

Inclusivity Development and Implementation Group Terms of Reference