Equality, diversity and inclusion
Creating a profession for the future

Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to BACP’s ethos. As the UK’s leading professional body for counselling professionals, we aim to lead on best practice in EDI, creating a profession where our members, colleagues, staff, partner organisations and clients can thrive and fully be themselves.

Creating a profession for the future means addressing many systemic issues. It requires fundamental change in our culture, values, belief systems, behaviour, organisational and structural systems, practice, services and financial commitment, over a sustained period.

Here you can find out more about our EDI strategy, the projects we're undertaking and the resources we're developing to create knowledge and learn with our members.

Our EDI strategy is the driving force behind all the workstreams and projects we're undertaking. It details our goals and the tactical steps we're taking to embed change. 

Thank you to all of you who’ve applied and shared your interest in our mentoring scheme. We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response and huge interest in the scheme and have received an unprecedented number of applications.

Unfortunately, due to limited spaces we’ve had to close early and can’t accept any more applications. We’re sorry to disappoint so many of you who were looking forward to participating. We'll, however, be looking at how we might offer more opportunities in the future.

We’ll continue to keep all of members updated on the progress of the scheme and will be working closely with our mentors and mentees in the coming months.

Our bursary scheme aims to encourage underrepresented groups into the profession by providing financial support for counselling and psychotherapy training.

A pilot scheme for 10 bursaries launched in November 2022 and applications had to close early due to overwhelming demand. Out of 10 awarded bursaries, 4 students have completed their training at the entry level, and six students continue their education at the progression level.

The current pilot scheme is due to end in 2026 and will follow with the internal review and evaluation as part of our EDI strategic review. We hope to re-start the bursary scheme post review and any information on the next wave of applications will be announced in due course.

Following a successful pilot grants scheme and after a competitive application process, six grants have been awarded to BACP organisational members in support of their work to remove barriers to therapy for people from racialised communities.

Based on feedback from a 2021 member survey, we've been taking steps to make individual accreditation more accessible.

To date we have:

• introduced a new online application process
• reduced the cost for those who need additional support
• provided simpler and alternative forms of guidance
• provided alternative support mechanisms or ways of applying for those with a learning difference or disability

We've also appointed a learning and disability consultant to provide specialist guidance and support.

In collaboration with our panel of members, therapists, service leaders and community members we discuss the impact of racist violence, the challenges for the counselling professions in the response to racism and we signpost to resources, networks and opportunities for members to inform their practice. 

In collaboration with Hackney Council, we've recorded a series of podcasts exploring racism, racial trauma and anti-racism. These open discussions consider how we can unmask, repair and prevent the harm and trauma that racism perpetuates.

Across our website you'll find many resources, articles and perspectives on EDI issues. Our resources page will be regularly updated with the latest views and guidance. 

The Coalition for Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practice has launched a toolkit called Race is complicated: A toolkit for psychological therapies training.

The Coalition focuses on promoting inclusive and anti-oppressive professional training as part of a greater vision to address further barriers to inclusive practice, particularly in relation to supporting racially and ethnically minoritised communities.