Mental health

This Framework is a key component of a broader initiative to invest in the development of new roles and advanced skills across the NHS, including mental health services. It aligns with past, recent, and current Government policies aimed at driving service transformation by enabling:

• Health and social care professionals working at or towards advanced practice levels to demonstrate the required capabilities.
• Service developers to explore how advanced clinical practice can drive innovation and improve care delivery.
• Educators and training providers to design and deliver academic level 7 education and training programs.
• People with lived experience of mental health challenges to better understand the role and scope of advanced clinical practice.

By defining the core capabilities for mental health practitioners, the Framework establishes a benchmark for safe and effective advanced practice. At the same time, it acknowledges the need to adapt to local contexts and incorporate additional capabilities tailored to specific practice areas.

Importantly, the Framework does not attempt to define every aspect of advanced practice in mental health. Instead, it allows for flexibility to accommodate the evolution of roles, service models, and practice environments, ensuring it remains relevant and responsive to emerging needs.