The BPS is the professional body for psychology in the UK, representing more than 60,000 members and promoting the highest standards of professional education and practice. The CPD Quality Mark recognises high-quality continuing professional development (CPD) that meets rigorous standards in areas including course design, evidence base, ethics, accessibility, learner experience and quality assurance.
Achieving this recognition reflects years of development, collaboration and learning across the Next Step Cards programme.
Next Step Cards were originally developed to support practitioners working with children and young people to have more meaningful, structured and goal-focused conversations around emotional wellbeing and personal outcomes. The cards help individuals identify what matters to them, set meaningful goals, break these into manageable steps, and review progress over time. While initially designed for work with children and young people, the cards are increasingly being used successfully in work with adults across a range of settings.
The approach is visual, flexible and accessible, making it particularly valuable across education, mental health, social care and wider community services.
The training itself was co-designed by Dr Fiona Pender, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), and is grounded in evidence-based practice, including Goal-Based Outcomes (GBOs), solution-focused approaches, trauma-informed practice and experiential learning. The programme was also co-produced with young people, families and professionals, ensuring it remains practical, inclusive and rooted in real-world experience.
One of the strengths highlighted throughout the BPS review process was the programme’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion and culturally responsive practice. The training supports practitioners to adapt the cards flexibly across diverse contexts, while maintaining a strong focus on participation, collaboration and personal agency.
The BPS review also recognised the programme’s emphasis on reflective, experiential learning. Participants engage in hands-on activities, structured reflection and practical application throughout the training, enabling them to build confidence and begin using the cards immediately in their own settings.
Dr Fiona Pender said:
“I am delighted to see the Next Step Cards training recognised with the British Psychological Society’s CPD Quality Mark. This achievement reflects a strong commitment to co-production, evidence-based practice and high-quality professional development, supporting practitioners to engage and empower young people and adults to set and achieve goals that matter to them.
Next Step Cards training represents CWP's strategic ambition to improve the health and wellbeing of our population by working in partnership with other organisations including schools, local authorities, other health partners and the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector.”
Clinical Lead of the Next Step Cards programme, Kate Henderson said:
“I love using the Next Step Cards in my own practice because they help people access and express feelings that can often be difficult to put into words. Their versatility means they can be adapted across many settings, and I always value the different interpretations and reflections people bring to the cards, often opening up conversations that may not otherwise happen.”
For the Next Step Cards Team, achieving the BPS CPD Quality Mark is more than a badge of recognition - it is validation of the quality, integrity and impact of the work being delivered every day by trainers, practitioners and partners who are committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and adults.
The team would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development, delivery and ongoing growth of the programme.