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

2. How was BACP’s decision to adopt SCoPEd made?

BACP’s Board made the decision as to whether BACP adopted SCoPEd. The Board made the decision as its role is to set the strategic policy direction on behalf of the organisation and our members.

The Independent Chair of the SCoPEd Oversight committee provided an update of the partners decisions in February 2023.

3. Which partners are adopting the SCoPEd framework?

• Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions (ACC)
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
• British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
• Human Givens Institute (HGI)
• National Counselling Society (NCS)
• UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

4. BACP’s Board reasons for adopting SCoPEd

We believe that the framework  represents the long-term interests of the profession as a whole and will provide clarity in the current landscape and help to create new opportunities for our members.

5. Why did BACP members not have the opportunity to vote? 

BACP’s Board is elected to lead and set the strategic policy direction on behalf of the organisation and our members with collective responsibility.

Having mandated the original work on SCoPEd in 2016, the Board of Trustees continues to monitor progress and is committed to ensuring that member feedback is considered. 

We believe that the framework  represents the long-term interests of our members, employers and clients who use our services,  and will provide clarity in the current landscape and create new opportunities for our members.

6. What happens next for BACP and its members?

We’ll now start an Implementation period, that will involve us preparing and aligning our current processes, systems and membership and accreditation standards to the SCoPEd framework.

Nothing will change immediately for members, as we prepare for this alignment. A transition period will be in place whilst refining processes and systems ahead of full integration. We envisage it will take a year to prepare for the transition period and the transition period will last approximately two years.

We’ll keep members informed with the next steps as we move forward over the next few months.  We expect to have further information available in March regarding the timelines and next steps.

7. What is the preparation period?

During the preparation period we’ll refine our current processes and systems ready for the transition period. Members do not need to do anything during this stage.

8. What is the transition period? 

The transition period is expected to start from early 2024 and will last for approximately two years.  During the transition period members will be able to move to another column (i.e. membership category) via new mechanisms. We’re working with SCoPEd partners to agree the principles for mechanisms to move between membership categories. We’ll keep members updated of next steps as we progress.  The transition period will allow us to amend internal processes and systems ready for integration.

Following the transition period members will still be able to move to another column via membership category.

9. 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.

10. Will I still be able to move membership categories?

During the preparation period you’ll still be able to move membership categories. BACP’s current membership processes and criteria for applying for membership, Individual accreditation and moving between membership categories will remain as they are until towards the end of 2023.

During the transition period, you’ll be able to move membership categories via new mechanisms and we’ll advise members what these are ahead of this period opening.

11. What column will I be in? 

Membership categories would be aligned to the SCoPEd columns, rather than members being mapped to SCoPEd columns.

If you thought your training, knowledge and experience would be represented in another BACP membership category (and therefore a different SCoPEd column) you would be able to go through a process of evidencing that either during the transition period or after this period.  

As is the case now, when a member wishes to move to a different membership category they have to evidence that they have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to do so. This will not change.

It would be up to you as to whether you would want to apply to change your BACP membership category and therefore move between SCoPEd columns. 

You would still be able to practise competences in other columns, providing you have skills, knowledge, and experience to do so ethically.

Student members and individual members. The framework represents qualified therapists who have joined BACP’s register. Students and individual members are therefore not separately represented. However, the framework would give transparent and understandable entry routes across the profession and guidance about what kind of training and career development options might be right for you. When you become a registered member, you would then sit in column A and would be able to move membership categories if you’re eligible.

Current training courses will remain valid during the transition period and until 2028.

Registered BACP members will sit in column A as the entry points for column A already align to our registered membership category. If you are a registered BACP member sitting in column A you would still be able to practise column B and C competences where you have the right skills, knowledge and training. This aligns with our current position within the Ethical Framework around working within our competence.

Some registered members might meet all of the practice standards and competences of column B or C but have chosen not to apply for the existing accreditation scheme, you could choose to move through the membership categories during the transition period if you’re eligible. We’ll advise members of the mechanisms to do this ahead of the transition period opening in early 2024.  

Accredited BACP members will sit in column B as the entry points for column B already align to our accredited membership category. If you are an accredited BACP member sitting in column B you will still be able to practise column C competences where you have the right skills, knowledge and training.

If you meet all the practice standards and competences of column C, but have chosen not to apply for the current senior accreditation scheme, you could choose to move membership category during the transition period if you’re eligible. We’ll advise members of the mechanisms to do this ahead of the transition period opening in early 2024.  

Senior accredited BACP members will be automatically aligned with column B as the current senior accreditation schemes don't align with column C. During the transition period we’ll work with senior accredited members who are eligible to sit in column C, and who wish to move. There will not be a cost to this.  

If you are a senior accredited BACP member sitting in column B you will still be able to practise column C competences where you have the right skills, knowledge and training.

Some members may be interested in specialist accreditation schemes such as those we've had previously for supervisors and CYP therapists. We're reviewing these schemes and are planning to create new specialist accreditation schemes for these specialisms that'll sit outside of the SCoPEd framework but will be mapped to corresponding BACP competence frameworks.

Senior accredited members who already have a specialist accreditation such as CYP or Supervision will keep their specialist accreditation alongside their membership category, regardless of whether they choose to stay in the accredited membership category (i.e. column B), or move to the new Senior Accreditation category that will be aligned with column C.

Organisational members. We don’t envisage any direct impact on our organisational members, though training providers may wish to map their training provision against the SCoPEd competences. We’ll be in touch with our Accredited courses and Approved qualification providers to discuss this further.

Retired members. If you are a retired member you would not be mapped against the SCoPEd framework.

12. 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.

13. What will the new routes to progress from one membership category to another be? 

At this stage we’re working with the SCoPEd partners to agree the principles for mechanisms during the transition process. We’ll advise members of the these ahead of the transition period opening. Following the transition period there will be new mechanisms and routes and we’ll update you of this in due course.

14. 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.

15. Will the Senior Accreditation scheme reopen?

The current senior accreditation scheme doesn’t map to the SCoPEd framework therefore, we're reviewing the schemes with a view to creating a new senior accreditation scheme which will fully map to column C following the transition period.

Some members may be interested in specialist accreditation schemes such as those we've had previously for supervisors and CYP therapists. We're reviewing these schemes and are planning to create new specialist accreditation schemes for these specialisms that'll sit outside of the SCoPEd framework, but will be mapped to corresponding BACP competence frameworks.

Senior accredited members who already have a specialist accreditation such as CYP or Supervision will keep their specialist accreditation alongside their membership category, regardless of whether they choose to stay in the accredited membership category (i.e. column B), or move to the new Senior Accreditation category that will be aligned with column C.

16. Why doesn’t the current Senior Accreditation scheme align to Column C

The requirements in our previous Senior Accreditation scheme do not meet the SCoPEd framework training and practice requirements. In addition, the reflective practice criteria do not assess many of the column C competences.

17. Can I still apply for individual accreditation?

Yes, individual accreditation applications will remain as they currently are until towards the end of 2023.

18. What will the new process be for accreditation?

We’ll be releasing details of the new mechanisms for moving between membership categories during the transition period later this year.

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

19. What does this mean for BACP accredited and approved qualifications courses?

Some accredited courses and approved qualifications may need to make changes to their courses and this may take longer than the transition period, but we’ll be working with them throughout this period.

20. Can I still join a BACP accredited course or an approved qualification?

Yes, you can still join a BACP accredited course or an approved qualification.

21. 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.  

22. Should I wait and apply for accreditation under the transition period process?

A key aim of the transition and review of the accreditation schemes is to ensure members aren't disadvantaged. Members will be able to apply for accreditation at any time during the transition or thereafter by evidencing they have met the accreditation standard.

It’s important that you feel ready to apply for accreditation when you prepare and submit your application. Whether that is before the current scheme closes or during the transition period will depend on your readiness to go through this process.

23. How much will it cost me to move membership categories?

As is the case now, when a member wishes to move to a different membership category they have to evidence that they have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to do so and there are costs attached to this process.

We are currently working on a range of financial support mechanisms to remove any barriers to applying for accreditation for those members who currently feel excluded for financial reasons. We’ll be able to say more about this in the coming months.

It is important to remember that it is a member’s individual choice as to whether they wish to change their membership category as is the case now.

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

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.

25. 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.

26. 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 column membership. 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. 

27. 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. 

28. 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

29. 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.

30. Why are you having a two-year transition period and not waiting to implement changes until everything is ready (i.e. after the 3 years)?

We want to give eligible members the opportunity to move membership categories as soon as possible, if that’s what they’d like to do. The transition period enables us to do this whilst getting all the new accreditation schemes and routes ready.

31. 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.  

32. 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.

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

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

34. Will members have a voice on what the mechanisms will be and how they will work?

We’ll be reviewing the current accreditation schemes and agreeing broad principles for the mechanisms with partners. During this time we’ll be liaising with partners, stakeholders and experts to ensure our new schemes are appropriate and accessible.

35. 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.

36. Will you be asking non accredited and non approved course providers to align their training to Column A?

It will be the course provider’s decision whether they make changes to their courses to align to column A competencies. If you are an Individual Member (from a non-accredited course), you will still need to pass the CoP for Column A. All courses will need to meet the training and practice standards for our membership entry requirements if they want their students or graduates to be eligible for BACP membership.

Training providers and awarding bodies that have fully mapped and aligned their course or qualification with column A in the SCoPEd framework will be able to say so when marketing the course or award.

Some accredited courses and approved qualifications may need to make changes to their courses and this may take longer than the transition period, but we’ll be working with them throughout this period to support them with any changes that are needed.

37. What impact (if any) will the impact assessment have on the future of the project (mention of a voice for members who disapprove of the project, how will EDI impact be measured, etc).

The SCoPEd Oversight Committee are continuing to work together following the impact assessment report and we’ll keep members informed of their work as it progresses.