BACP the history of the Association

The British Association for Counselling grew out of the Standing Conference for the Advancement of Counselling, the SCAC being inaugurated in 1970 with the help of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. It was, at this time, the only organisation linking together counselling agencies, professional associations of counsellors and those helping professions whose members had long practised as counsellors. Soon after SCAC was established, a directory of local counselling services and a code of ethics were produced - valuable services that we have continued right to the present day. BAC was founded in 1977 in response to increasing demand for more focus on individual members. Its headquarters relocated from London to Rugby in 1978, funded by grants from the Government’s Voluntary Services Unit. On becoming the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy in September 2000, the Association recognised its representation of a very wide range of disciplines within a single therapy body. The name change also acknowledges the Association’s strong wish to unite the profession in the face of the exciting challenges ahead.

BACP the Association of today

BACP membership is still expanding today and we currently support over 24,000 members. Since our foundation, we have made enormous progress in advancing both the cause of counselling and psychotherapy, and the sectors and settings in which counsellors and therapists do their work. The Association exists to serve its members and the psychological therapies, as well as increasing awareness and respect for the profession among the general public. We are proficient in nurturing a diverse group of people and therapeutic styles within a common frame whilst pursuing the goal of professional development. We actively encourage member dialogue to provide BACP with strength and confidence in its direction. The Association is recognised by legislators, national organisations and the public alike as the professional body and leading voice for counselling and psychotherapy in the UK. The Government routinely consults us on various matters concerning the future of the profession. BACP currently sets nationally recognised consistent standards in accreditation and self-regulation. With governmental regulation of the profession now a real possibility, your membership will become increasingly valuable to you, to the Association and to the members of the public it seeks to inform and protect. As of April 2002, the Association’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy superseded all previous Codes of Ethics and Practice and all members of BACP must agree to abide by its terms. This groundbreaking work provides a protective yet flexible core frame of reference for members to use in their relations with clients, colleagues, fellow members and the wider community. It offers a priceless safeguard to both practitioners and members of the public alike in the counselling transaction and in the face of statutory regulation.

BACP the true membership organisation

BACP does not just ’hard sell’ a membership package to potential fee payers, it is committed to listening to the needs and ideas of all those it genuinely attracts as members. The work of the Association reflects members’ input - we will not speak out for those who listen professionally without listening ourselves. For over 25 years, we have been representing our members’ interests, working to assist and encourage those in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. BACP individual membership ensures professional recognition in an uncertain world. Each member is an integral part of the Association and together we lead the effort to bring acknowledgement and respect to the therapies we represent. Membership is reciprocal; members receive excellent professional support and services from BACP, whilst the Association thus benefits from their training, experience and feedback. We are constantly developing our work across the entire field of the psychological therapies today. Each new member strengthens us as a membership organisation, ensuring that we effectively represent those who we seek to support. By making the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy your professional home, you will become part of this country’s leading advocate for counsellors and psychotherapists. Membership of BACP denotes high professional standards and bestows a status of which to be proud.

BACP the Registered Charity

BACP is a charitable not-for-profit organisation and its funds are used solely to maintain and develop the organisation for the benefit of its members and the communities in which they are active.

The Charities Commission monitors all Registered Charities closely, ensuring that their aims are charitable and their accounts are in order. BACP membership fees and other subscriptions, payments and donations must therefore not be misappropriated in any way – they must not be kept as profit to the company or its staff or board, or be spent in any manner conflicting with the Memorandum and Articles of the Association. Thus BACP members can be sure that any money given to the Association is being spent in their very best interests.

BACP Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

BACP is committed to promoting Equality of Opportunity for members and employees in all of its structures and workings.

BACP is an organisation which:

• Develops and maintains a world-class professional support service to enhance membership understanding and productivity
• Values integrity, impartiality and respect
• Promotes equality of opportunity
• Promotes accessibility for clients to counsellors and psychotherapists
• Is responsive to emerging issues and trends
• Consults widely
• Is enterprising

The work of BACP aims to reflect this commitment in all areas including services to members, employer responsibilities, the recruitment of and working with volunteers, setting, assessing, monitoring and evaluating standards and the implementation of the professional conduct procedure. This is particularly important, as BACP is the ’Voice of Counselling’ in the wider world. BACP will promote and encourage commitment to Equality of Opportunity by its members.

BACP Managing Diversity

BACP is committed to the concept that people should be valued as individuals for reasons related to business interests, as well as for moral and social reasons. It recognises that people from different backgrounds can bring fresh ideas and perceptions which can make the way the work is done more efficient and improve products and services.

This means that the Association has an open culture based on trust and mutual respect. As such people should treat each other with dignity and value each other. Likewise, differences in personal backgrounds and characteristics do not prejudice decisions about the suitability of individuals for employment, volunteering and training. Therefore all decisions about the employment, appointment to voluntary roles and training of people are objective, based on merit, relate to individual personal development criteria and support business goals.

In order to achieve all the above there will be a programme of continuous review of its policies, practices and behaviour to check that these are helping all to give their best.