FAQs – Addictions Neurodevelopmental Credential

The Neurodevelopmental Credential is a structured, nationally recognised programme designed to support clinicians in developing and demonstrating specialist expertise in neurodevelopmental psychiatry.

Through a combination of workplace-based learning, expert faculty-led teaching, and multidisciplinary collaboration, the programme aims to enhance neurodevelopmental services, promote greater consistency in care, and build a sustainable, highly skilled workforce. It equips clinicians with the knowledge, skills, and holistic approach needed to meet both current and future service demands.

The RCPsych Neurodevelopmental Credential has been developed to equip clinicians with the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide high-quality holistic assessment and care for people with neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and tic disorders.

Demand for neurodevelopmental services has increased significantly in recent years, with rising referral rates and increasing workforce pressures. There is therefore a growing need for clinicians from a range of specialties to develop expertise in the assessment and management of neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan.

The running and development of this credential has been funded by NHS England.

All attendees are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.

Learning DayDateFormat
Day 1Monday 28 September 2026In-person, RCPsych
Day 2Monday 18 January 2027In-person, RCPsych
Day 3Monday 15 March 2027In-person, RCPsych
Day 4Monday 24 May 2027In-person, RCPsych
Day 5Monday 12 July 2025In-person, RCPsych
Day 6Monday 20 September 2027In-person, RCPsych
Programme duration: September 2026 – September 2027.

Teaching days will run between 9am to 5pm. Attendance at all of the above learning days is mandatory.

The Credential is intended for clinicians wishing to develop specialist capabilities in neurodevelopmental assessment and care.

Eligible applicants include:
  • Consultant Psychiatrists.
  • SAS Psychiatrists.
  • Higher resident psychiatric doctors.
  • GPs working within specialist neurodevelopmental services.
  • Paediatricians with specialist mental health or neurodevelopmental roles.

It is not intended for doctors who are expected to acquire these competencies through their specialist training, including those undertaking or holding a CAMHS or Learning Disability Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

However, SAS psychiatrists working within CAMHS or Learning Disability services remain eligible, recognising that they may not have had access to equivalent specialist neurodevelopmental training opportunities through their career pathway.

Applicants will also need to:

  • Have direct clinical responsibility for patients with neurodevelopmental conditions within their service.
  • Be working in, or actively developing, neurodevelopmental services.
  • Be supported by their employing organisation to undertake the programme and apply the learning within their clinical practice.
  • Be able to attend all mandatory learning days.

Applications are submitted using the online application form.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Friday 14 August 2026.

Please note: Applications may close early. Whilst the published application deadline is Friday 14 August, we reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high volume of submissions.

This is to ensure applications can be reviewed and assessed within the required timescales.

We recommend drafting your responses in a Word document before completing the online application form. Once complete, you can copy and paste your responses into the application form.

No, however, the panel may contact you if clarification is required. 

The pilot programme is funded by NHS England, for 35 places for clinicians working in England.

Applications from the devolved nations are welcomed and the College will work with the relevant national funding bodies to explore funding for these places.

Please note that offers to applicants from the devolved nations will be dependent upon funding being secured.

Yes. SAS psychiatrists are eligible to apply provided they meet the programme's SAS psychiatrists eligibility requirements. This includes completion of at least four years' full-time postgraduate training (or equivalent gained on a part-time or flexible basis), including: 

  • at least two years in a relevant specialty training programme or as a fixed-term specialty trainee in a relevant specialty, or 
  • equivalent experience and competencies.

There are 35 funded places available for clinicians working in England as part of the pilot programme. Places for clinicians in the devolved nations may also be available, subject to funding arrangements being confirmed. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

The programme runs over a 12 month period.

Over the 12-month duration of the Credential, participants will undertake:
  • Six in-person learning days.
  • Portfolio-based learning and assessment.
  • Workplace-based learning and assessments.
  • Faculty mentoring.
  • Multidisciplinary teaching delivered by national experts.
  • Learning that integrates autism, ADHD, FASD and tic disorders across the lifespan.

The College will work to assign you with a mentor. However, we will welcome a supervisor to act as mentor if they meet the criteria.

If you think your educational supervisor would be interested, please ask them to email credentialing@rcpsych.ac.uk.

No, the GMC has announced in December 2023 that they will not be supporting the development of any new credentials outside of the ‘early adopters’.

Participants who successfully complete all credential requirements will be awarded a RCPsych Credential in Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry certificate.

Please contact the Credential team at credentialing@rcpsych.ac.uk.