SCoPEd frequently asked questions
A ground-breaking shared framework for our profession

2. What do BACP members need to do? 

You don’t need to do anything at this stage. In fact, many of our members won’t need to change anything as a result of SCoPEd, but we believe that all members will benefit as a result of having their BACP membership category aligned to SCoPEd as a shared standards framework. We’ll keep members informed with the next steps as we move forward.

3. Could I practise a competence outside of my column in the SCoPEd framework? 

Yes. You would be able to offer the services you currently do as long as you have the training, skills, knowledge and experience to ethically deliver it. 

SCoPEd maps existing minimum competences and practice standards, but there are many other individual factors which will determine whether you are competent to work with any particular client or context.

All our members are highly trained, valued and trusted, and work within your limits of competences according to the Ethical Framework.

4. What if I have some but not all of the competences or practice standards of another column?

That’s fine. Nothing is going to stop you working as you already do. But if you have acquired all the competences and practice standards of another column, you might want this to be recognised at some point and move to the membership category mapped to the standards of that column. 

5. What can I do now to position myself for Column C (i.e. should I register for a Level 7 masters course now, can I use my level 7 from an associated profession e.g. psychology instead).

Following the transition period, new accreditation schemes with new routes to move between membership categories and columns will be available. At this stage we’re unable to provide further details. Holding an appropriate Level 7 qualification will not be the only route to the column C membership category, as we know that for many, undertaking a Masters level course won’t be feasible.

6. Will I still be able to move membership categories

Yes. You’ll be able to move between BACP membership categories (which are mapped to the standards of the SCoPEd columns) at any stage of your career if you can evidence you have the skills, knowledge, training and experience to do so.

The only exception to that is an approximately three-month period starting 12 noon, on Tuesday 31 October 2023, which is when our individual application process will close for around three months to allow us to finalise our preparation for the SCoPEd transition stage. For more information about accreditation closing click here

During the transition period expected to open early 2024, you’ll be able to move membership categories via new temporary mechanisms. We’ll confirm details of the temporary transition period mechanisms for moving between membership categories by September 2023.  

Following the transition period there will be new permanent schemes in place with different routes and we’ll inform members of these in due course.

7. Will there be new membership categories?  

No, the membership categories will remain as they currently are, but there will be refined accreditation processes following the transition period.

8. Why should I move membership categories or columns and what are the benefits?  

You don’t need to move membership categories. This decision is entirely up to you and will likely depend on your own individual circumstances.

Members cite numerous benefits of going through the accreditation process as it provides a valuable and rewarding developmental opportunity through the reflective process required. Each applicant gains different things from the accreditation process, but a common theme we hear is that it helped them to consolidate their practice, further ground them in their way of working and increase their confidence.  

9. Can I still become a BACP member on the current course I’m on? 

Current courses will be valid until 2028, we’ll be working with course providers throughout the transition period to provide support where any changes are needed.  

10. As an Individual Member (from a non-accredited course), will I still need to pass the Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) for Column A.

Yes, you would still need to pass the CoP to become a registered member. 

11. Will the CoP change because of the decision to adopt the SCoPEd framework 

The structure of the CoP will be unchanged but we'll be reviewing the requirements of a column A therapist to ensure that our assessment is aligned.

12. Will my previous CoP pass be valid during transition or post the three years 

It will remain the case that passing the CoP gives eligibility for registration. Whilst on the Register it is not necessary to take the CoP again. If someone passes the CoP but doesn't immediately become a registered member, assessment results are valid for 3 years.

13. Would the SCoPEd framework restrict the therapeutic services I offer?

No. SCoPEd is intended to be an enabling framework, not a restrictive one. You would be able to offer the services you currently provide as long as you had the training, skills, knowledge and experience to ethically deliver them. This aligns with our current position within the Ethical Framework around working within our competence.

For example, if you are a Registered member in column A, you may well have one or more of the competences listed in column B or C and you will be able to continue to deliver therapy based on those competences.  Alternatively, you may have additional specialisms which sit outside the framework.  The key thing is working within your competence which is a requirement of the Ethical Framework.

14. Will adopting the framework impact my work in private practice? 

The framework sets common entry standards which are applicable to all members – whether working in private practice or other contexts. Whether a member is working in private practice or another setting does not in itself determine the competences they have.

Many members work in private practice and many also work in more than one setting. Those working in private practice will not be asked to ‘prove’ anything and will be able to continue practising just as they do now. But we imagine that members might find the framework useful in benchmarking their skills and planning CPD which could open further opportunities.

We want to reiterate that if you can evidence that you are ethically able to deliver a competence you would be able to deliver it, regardless of which membership category you are in. This is a requirement under the Ethical Framework. So, if you think you are in column A but are currently delivering a column C competence because you are trained and experienced in doing so – you would still be able do this. However, you would need to be able to evidence you can deliver all of a column’s competences to move into the corresponding membership category. 

15. Will being in Column A limit my future employment opportunities? 

The framework is a powerful way to represent the training and skills of all qualified therapists who are members of professional bodies that have membership categories mapped to the framework.  The majority of these skills are within column A and so these people should be paid fairly just as therapists in column B and C should be too. There is an ongoing conversation about how we ensure that all therapists are paid where appropriate. In some cases therapists choose to volunteer their time and that is an individual decision. 

There is a preconception that counselling services will only want to employ therapists in column C and that is not the case. Services have welcomed the framework because it’s a way of understanding the different membership categories across organisations as well as identifying the skills that applicants have, especially those in column A. We believe it will help to create paid employment opportunities for people in column A.

It’s already had a positive effect as we’re aware for example, that a particular employee assistance programme (EAP) organisation has removed the requirement to be accredited and are looking at the evidence of what they need for their counselling services.

16. Will I need to update my advertising to confirm I’m a Column A, B, C therapist?

No, BACPs membership categories will be aligned to the SCoPEd framework.

17. The SCoPEd framework is for work with adults. What if my core training was for working with children and young people (CYP)? Which membership category will I be in if the membership categories are mapped to SCoPEd?  

Although the SCoPEd framework is specifically aimed at training and practice standards for working with adults, we would expect CYP core trainings to cover the competences in the columns but with an additional emphasis on how these are applied in CYP work. The SCoPEd framework does not include additional competences needed for working safely and ethically with CYP. The additional CYP competences are currently reflected in BACP’s Competence framework for working with children and young people (four to eighteen years).

Members whose core training is for CYP working will still be able to move membership categories if they are eligible and wish to do so. We are also looking at developing a new specialist CYP accreditation which may be of interest to these members.

18. Will the partners have reciprocal arrangement to allow members to transfer to other Professional Bodies without completing the full membership or accreditation processes? 

If someone wishes to join more than one membership body, they need to satisfy the criteria of each membership body as they currently do.

The framework sets out the minimum standards for each column that the membership categories are aligned to. Some partners may have additional criteria relating to their own requirements, but the SCoPEd standards will be equitable. Some partners may also accept members and registrants who already meet the requirements from other partners. We’re currently working with partners about this and there will be future updates with more detail.

19. Will titles be reintroduced – can I call myself a psychotherapist in Column A?  

For now the column titles remain as published in the January 2022 framework – A, B, C. The commitment remains within the partnership to look at titles, but this will be a longer-term piece of work.  It’s important to remember that any work on titles is not about identifying or creating protected titles but about ensuring consistency and reducing confusion across the profession as a whole, and for the public.