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New Register - Frequently Asked Questions
Why is another register needed?
The Government has ruled out further statutory regulation of healthcare professionals but instead has asked the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) to develop a register quality assurance scheme. BACP is working towards a new register to meet the expected criteria.
Does this register replace accreditation?
No. We recognise that accreditation requires years of practice and that this is therefore not applicable to all of our members.
Which category of membership do I need to be in to be eligible to register?
MBACP (Accred) and (Snr. Accred) counsellors / psychotherapists will automatically transfer if they choose to do so. Non-accredited MBACP's will need to use one of the routes below.
How do I get onto the Register?
For MBACP there will be three routes onto the Register:
- Automatic transfer for MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr. Accred) counsellors / psychotherapists.
- Completion of a BACP accredited course.
- Passing the Certificate of Proficiency. This is a new method of assessing for BACP which is an online assessment of ethical practice and decision making. This is currently being piloted.
Why can't all those in the MBACP category be automatically transferred to the new Register?
The Board of Governors recognise that all those in the MBACP category are working within our Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy. However, for non-accredited MBACPs it is quantitative criteria which need to be met, e.g. length of course. It is therefore necessary to have some way to assess the competence of those in this category.
How soon can I get onto the new Register?
We hope to open the Register in early 2012.
Will there be any point going on to become accredited?
Yes, accreditation remains the benchmark of the experienced ethical counsellor / psychotherapist.
What will registration cost?
It is currently proposed that registration will be free.
Once on the Register what will I need to do to maintain registration?
You will receive guidance on this. You will be required to undertake continuing professional development (cpd), have appropriate supervision and remain a member of BACP. BACP will audit a percentage of registrants every year, this is likely to be in the region of 2.5%.