The Psychological Professions Network (PPN) started in Kent, Surrey and Sussex and has expanded across the South East of England to cover a further four counties including Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire. The PPN SE is commissioned by NHS England and is working across the South East to provide a collective voice for all psychological professionals and aspiring psychological professionals in workforce planning and development, and to support excellence in practice.
The Psychological Professions Network aims to serve the needs of NHS policy and practice, alongside the needs of its members and the wider public. However, it does not speak ‘on behalf of’ NHS England or any other NHS body. It is accountable to the Mental Health Programme Board for fulfilling the functions it has been commissioned to deliver.
The PPN SE also has a Workforce Council that meets quarterly, which includes psychological professionals and other interested parties, including experts by experience across the region. The Workforce Council oversees the work of the PPN SE and the community of practice, which includes PPN hosted regional networks (see our Communities of Practice page) as well as providing an advisory function. The PPN SE reports to the Mental Health Programme Board, and ultimately upwards to the Integrated Programme Board at NHS England South East, as well as PPN England. Some projects may additionally report to the National Psychological Professions Workforce Group.