Level 2 Psychological Support Skills

 ​​​​​​  Delivered by the Oxford Centre for Education and Research in Palliative Care

Building on Your Advanced Communication Skills

This course takes your existing expertise to the next level — equipping you with specialist psychological assessment and intervention skills for patients with complex psychological needs in palliative and cancer care settings.

"The course was excellent and I really enjoyed the training. The tutors were very knowledgeable and had a vast amount of patient experience."

About the course

This intensive 2-day face-to-face programme is designed for experienced Clinical Nurse Specialists working at Band 7 or above who have already completed Advanced Communication Skills Training.

You'll build on your existing skills to develop specialist competencies in psychological assessment, recognise and differentiate psychopathologies relevant to palliative and cancer care, and apply evidence-based psychological interventions in your clinical practice.

The course also emphasises the importance of self-care and resilience, helping you develop sustainable strategies to support your own wellbeing in this emotionally demanding role.
                

Why this course matters

As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, you regularly encounter patients experiencing significant psychological distress — anxiety, depression, trauma, and complex grief. This specialist training goes beyond communication skills to equip you with the assessment tools, clinical knowledge, and therapeutic techniques needed to identify, manage, and support patients with these complex psychological needs.

Grounded in evidence-based practice and delivered in partnership with expert psychological educators, this course will deepen your confidence and competence in providing psychological support at an enhanced level.

What you'll learn 

• Specific aspects of communication skills that are key in the assessment, identification, and management of those with psychological needs and distress 
• A range of psychopathologies pertinent to clinical practice in palliative care, including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, and complex grief
• The knowledge and skills required in the assessment process for psychological needs and distress, and how to apply this to your clinical practice
• Self-care strategies as part of your clinical role to maintain your own psychological wellbeing

What you'll gain

⚠️ Before you apply, please note: You will need manager approval for all course dates.

🔒 Mandatory Entry Requirements

This is an enhanced level course. To attend, you must have:

• Successfully completed Advanced Communication Skills Training (ACST)
• Access to regular clinical supervision

Staff who do not meet these entry requirements will have their tickets removed by the education team.

These requirements are in place to ensure you can work effectively with the advanced skills learned and developed from ACST, and to support safe, reflective practice when managing complex psychological distress.

⚠️ Refresher Requests

If you wish to attend this course as a refresher (e.g. you have completed it previously at your current or previous organisation), please apply as normal and note the date of your last course attendance. You will be added to a waiting list and prioritised after first-time applicants.

Interested in applying?

⚠️This course is free for Clinical Nurse Specialists and Specialist Nurses working within the Surrey and Sussex area. 

If you would like to apply, have questions about the course, eligibility, or would like to discuss whether this programme is right for you or your team, get in touch: rsch.sscacancereducationteam@nhs.net