APSCC is of value to all involved in or wishing to improve the quality of pastoral care and counselling, lay and ordained, voluntary and paid: e.g. clergy and ministers, social workers, doctors, therapists, nurses, Christians, Jews, other religions and non-committed.

APSCC:

Is concerned to raise standards in the teaching and exercise of pastoral care and counselling.

1. Aims to draw upon the developing traditions and insights of theology and the social behavioural sciences wherever they lead to a greater understanding of human beings and offer resources to meet their needs.
2. Has a particular contribution to make with its emphasis on pastoral care as well as counselling.
3. Aims to attract as members those seeking to use therapeutic and counselling skills and insights appropriately to improve the quality of pastoral care in the community whether or not they intend to become counsellors,
4. Seeks to foster mutual learning and support in helping members help each other and develop their abilities to care.
5. Began in 1970 as an informal association of those counselling in the major religious bodies of this country.
6. Has links with similar organisations in Europe and America, and with the International Council for Pastoral Care and Counselling.
7. Has been a division of BACP since its inception in 1977, having played a major part in helping to launch BACP.

APSCC currently has five areas of particular concern.

It sees its role to:

• focus attention of counsellors on aspects of spirituality in counselling relationships;
• explore the different experiences, cultures and practice of pastoral care in different faith communities;
• learn from pastoral care developments in other countries;
• emphasise the importance within BACP of the use of counselling skills, which most of our members do within pastoral care relationships;
• to witness within the churches and other faith communities to the compassionate element of pastoral care, and to challenge some aspects of a judgemental approach.

Members of the division receive the APSCC newsletter three times a year which contain articles, reviews and reports.