Updated 24 July 2008

A recent meeting between Skills for Health (S4H) and the Health Professions Council (HPC) indicated a way forward for a link to be established between the competence based work the S4H is involved in, and the qualification based structures of the HPC. S4H are developing competences for four counselling / psychotherapy 'modalities':
psychodynamic / psychoanalytic; humanistic / person centred; cognitive behavioural; family systemic.  These competences form a framework for National Occupational Standards (NOS) that can be used within the various settings of the profession.
 
The HPC has generic 'Standards of Proficiency' (SoPs) that must be met by all the professions that it regulates; these are individualised by the addition of a number of profession -specific standards.  Any approved qualification / training for counselling / psychotherapy must incorporate the SoPs in their training so that when the course is complete the “graduate” is able to meet these standards.
 
The recent meeting clarified that the HPC will be looking to the S4H competence work to inform the development of its Standards of Proficiency, which would then reflect the NOSs, making them all congruent. The S4H work will not be the only thing that influences the SoPs - many other bodies will contribute to the consultation on what these should be, including BACP. It is worth noting that BACP has had representation on the groups involved with the development of the S4H competences, and has also established its own set of generic competences that have formed the basis of the new Core Curriculum.
 
Attached please find a copy of the note issued jointly by the HPC and S4H outlining the agreement that they have reached.

Joint Statement Joint Statement.pdf Size: 0.02Mb Click the link above to begin downloading