Developing a competency framework for workforce delivering EMDR therapies.

The NHS Plan sets out a context of development of and investment in mental health services in England. To deliver the ambitions, there needs to be significant change to the mental health workforce in all contexts. This includes numbers of staff, competences across the workforce, leadership, governance and support provided to staff.

In response to this, HEE has developed workforce strategy to ensure that the current and future workforce has the right numbers, skills, values and behaviours. It outlines five 'pillars' which, when implemented together, can provide the blueprint towards meeting the workforce gap:

These pillars are based on the understanding that there is a need to evolve a different approach to workforce planning, which moves away from planning in line with traditional roles, to planning according to the competences needed to deliver care.

The delivery of mental health services involves a workforce that is extensive and diverse, including many staff closely engaged in providing care as well as offering information, support and assistance.

Due to the impact of Covid-19 it is widely accepted that there is likely to be an increase in the need for appropriately trained practitioners to provide treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

There are a number of competency frameworks available to support the development of the Adult Improving Access to Psychological therapies (IAPT) workforce. Currently there is no competency framework for staff who deliver Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. The existing frameworks available do not cover the standards or evidence-based criteria required for therapists delivering this effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).