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

2. When can I start to apply to move membership categories?

The transition period will open in February 2024, and we’ll confirm the date with members later this year.

3. What will the routes be after 2026? 

Additional new accreditation routes to move between all membership categories will be available from early 2026. They will consider training and CPD alongside other existing skills, knowledge and experience. These routes are currently being finalised and more details will be published in due course.

4. To apply for senior accreditation during the transition period members will need a Level 7 or equivalent counselling or psychotherapy qualification. What is equivalent to a Level 7?

• UK Postgraduate certificate, Postgraduate diploma, or Masters award
• Level 9 National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland
• Level 11 The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
• international qualifications that are equivalent to a UK Level 7
• the level of the award needs to be formally validated
• this can also include a Level 7 counselling or psychotherapy supervision qualification

5. Why are current senior accredited members not automatically in column C?

Our current senior accredited scheme doesn’t align with the SCoPEd column C competences and practice standards. We’ve revised the scheme in readiness for the transition period and additional routes will also be available from February 2026. During the transition period current senior accredited members can apply, if eligible, for the revised scheme. For more information visit the SCoPEd where will I be represented page. 

6. Will I receive a refund if I’m a current senior accredited member and not eligible for the new senior accreditation?

No, a refund won’t be available. Current senior accredited members will be able to apply for the column C aligned senior accredited membership category for free during the transition period if they have a Level 7 or equivalent counselling and/or psychotherapy qualification and meet the other eligibility requirements. If they don’t have a Level 7 or equivalent qualification they can apply via the additional route opening in 2026, which will include recognition of CPD and experience. This route will be free to current senior accredited members until February 2027.

7. What if my supervisor is unaware of the SCoPEd framework and are unable to confirm my overall competence?

The SCoPEd framework is available to view on our website. If you’re considering applying for accreditation during the transition period you may want to share the framework with your supervisor and explore with them where you are in terms of the competences. There will also be guidance available for supervisors to help them with the new application process and supervisor statement.

8. How will supervisors be trained on SCoPEd and the new schemes?

Guidance will be available for supervisors via the accreditation pages of our website, and will help them with the new application process and supervisor statement. We also hope to have video guidance ready to help supervisors with the new streamlined supervisor statement later next year. We’ll be communicating regularly with members regarding the release of resources and guidance, so please keep an eye on emails and the website for more information.

9. I’m in a different column than my supervisor, is that ok? 

Your supervisor doesn’t need to be aligned with a particular column in order to support your accreditation application. They will need to be familiar with the SCoPEd framework and be able to comment on your overall competence for the ‘Supervisor Statement’ they’ll complete as part of the application.

10. I’m already a member with another SCoPEd partner in a different column, can I be transferred to the same SCoPEd column with both partners?

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’ll be discussing this with partners and will update members next year.

11. To become an accredited member during the transition period there are only two reflective practice criteria, rather than the previous four, why is that?

The current reflective practice criteria have been reviewed and condensed into two criteria to create a more streamlined process during the transition period. This includes asking members, as we do now, to evidence how they embed the Ethical Framework into their practice, and how CPD and self-awareness impact their practice, which are important elements of BACP accreditation.

12. Will there be guidance documents and videos made available to help complete the application forms? 

We’re currently preparing guidance documents to support members applying for accreditation during the transition period. Written guidance will be available on our website around November 2023, and we hope videos will be available by early 2024. We’ll be in touch with members to let them know when the resources become available. You can also contact accreditation@bacp.co.uk or customer services on 01455 883300.

13. What happens to my individual accreditation application, if I don’t submit it by Tuesday 31 October 2023?

Applications for the current individual accreditation will need to be submitted by 12 Noon, Tuesday 31 October 2023.

If you haven’t submitted it by this date, you can view and print your application from your member dashboard. If you wish to do this please do so by Sunday 31 December 2023. After this date, part completed applications will be removed and deleted from member dashboards and our systems.

14. Will you be holding telesurgeries during the transition period?

Telesurgeries will be available for members to book following the opening of the transition schemes in February 2024. If you need further guidance with the reflective practice criteria, you’ll be able to book a 30 minute one-to-one telesurgery with an assessor. Sessions will cost £25, as is the case now. 

15. Will support be available for those who identify as having additional needs? 

Yes, as is the case now, our Support and Inclusive Officer for the accreditation team will be available to support members who require this service.

For more information, our Support and Inclusive Officer, Liz Gascoigne, discusses the support available in her increased access to accreditation blog.

16. When can I submit my application?

Applications can be submitted when the transition period opens in February 2024.

17. If my application is deferred during the transition period, will I be able to resubmit it?

Yes, you will still have six months from the point of deferral to resubmit your application using the transition scheme and criteria.

18. If I’m unsuccessful during the transition period will I be able to appeal? 

Yes, you can appeal any decision within two months of being notified that your application was unsuccessful.

19. What is the benefit of going through the accreditation process? 

Accreditation has many benefits. It can be a valuable developmental opportunity as your career progresses, and a consolidating form of self-reflective CPD. As well as your existing member benefits, accredited members:

• can use the designatory letters 'MBACP (Accred)' or ‘MBACP (Snr Accred)
• receive a certificate of accreditation and a personalised logo that you can use to promote your practice
• have professional recognition of the quality of your practice
• have evidence of your knowledge and development as an experienced practitioner

20. How much will it cost to apply for individual accreditation (column B) during the transition period? 

If you’re a registered member you can apply for individual accreditation for £230 - the same as it is now. There is financial support available for eligible members.

21. How much will it cost to apply for senior accreditation (column C) during the transition period? 

If you’re currently an accredited member the application fee to become a senior accredited member (column C) will be £230 but there is financial support available for eligible members.

Current senior accredited members who wish to apply for revised senior accredited membership (column C) will be able to do so free of charge during the transition period.

22. Will financial support be available to apply for accreditation?

Yes, members who have already been awarded a full reduced fee membership will only pay a £25 administration fee at the time of applying, as is the case now. A reduced accreditation application fee can also be offered to those who are already in receipt of the reduced membership fee on the sliding scale.

For more information please visit the support with your application page on our website.

23. Why are you charging for accreditation to move SCoPEd columns and other SCoPEd partners aren’t?

Members will need to pay a fee to apply for accreditation or senior accreditation, as they do now, but there is financial support available for eligible members. The fee associated with applying for accreditation and moving between membership categories aligned to the standards of the SCoPEd columns is to cover the associated administration, assessment and moderation costs. Removing the accreditation fee would have a significant impact on the effective running of the assessment process and our ability to share outcomes in good time with members.

Each of the SCoPEd partners are responsible for their own processes and will set their own fees.

24. When will my membership be moved from senior accredited to accredited?

As our current senior accredited membership category doesn’t align with the SCoPEd framework column C standards, all existing senior accredited members will move to the accredited membership category, aligned to column B in the SCoPEd framework, at the time of their membership renewal date - between February 2025 and January 2026. As members join BACP at different times it means that there won't be one fixed date for all members moving membership categories, so you will need to refer to your own renewal date to understand when this will apply to you.

This approach means you’ll have the full year of your membership to apply for the new senior accreditation scheme before you’re moved. It’ll also allow sufficient time to update your advertising materials (i.e. update websites/marketing collateral with the correct membership logo and use of designatory letters).

Current senior accredited members will be able to apply for the revised senior accreditation category via the temporary mechanisms until February 2026 at no cost or via a new route that will include CPD and experience at no cost, between February 2026 and January 2027.

For more information please visit our Where will I be represented in the SCoPEd framework web page.  

25. If I don’t want to be allocated a SCoPEd column can I opt out? 

As BACP have adopted the SCoPEd framework, we’ve agreed with partners to align our membership categories to the standards of the SCoPEd columns Therefore members will not be able to opt out of being aligned to a SCoPEd column.

However, members can choose if they wish to refer to their competences and practice standards as being aligned to the relevant SCoPEd column or if they wish to pursue different membership categories via accreditation schemes (as is the case now).

26. Will there be a separate register, for those who don’t wish to be aligned to the SCoPEd framework? 

No, we won't be holding a separate register as our membership categories will be aligned to the standards of the SCoPEd columns.

27. Do I have to advertise my SCoPEd framework column?

It’s a members choice if they wish to mention SCoPEd within their advertising. If members do wish to, please see below for guidance:

Student, individual and retired members: are not represented in the SCoPEd framework as this represents qualified therapists who have joined our register. Therefore you shouldn’t describe your competences and practice standards as being aligned to the SCoPEd framework within your advertising materials.

Registered members: are aligned to column A in the SCoPEd framework. As a Registered Member of BACP, you can refer to your competences and practice standards as being aligned to column A within your advertising materials. You can practise competences in other SCoPEd columns providing you have the right skills, knowledge, training and experience to do so, but you’re unable to advertise that you’re aligned to SCoPEd columns B or C.

Registered accredited members: will align to column B in the SCoPEd framework. As a registered accredited member of BACP, you can refer to your competences and practice standards as being aligned to column B within your advertising materials. You can practise competences from SCoPEd column C provided you have the right skills, knowledge, training and experience to do so, but you’re unable to advertise that you’re aligned to SCoPEd column C.

Registered senior accredited members: who have achieved this status prior to January 2024 are aligned to column B in the SCoPEd framework. This is because our previous senior accreditation scheme doesn’t align with column C competences and practice standards.

As a senior registered accredited member of BACP, who has achieved this status prior to January 2024, you can refer to your competences and practice standards as being aligned to column B within your advertising materials.

As a senior accredited member of BACP, who have achieved this status from February 2024 onwards, you are aligned to column C in the SCoPEd framework and can refer to your competences and practice standards as being aligned to column C within your advertising materials.

Our promoting your membership (advertising) policy will be amended and available on our website when the transition period opens in February 2024.

28. Will I need a new logo? 

If your membership category changes you’ll be able to download your new logo from your account area on our website.

29. Will the specialist accreditation schemes still exist? 

Yes, the CYP and Supervision specialist schemes will exist. They are currently closed as we’re revising these schemes to align them with our competence frameworks, and anticipate they will reopen towards the end of 2024 for accredited and senior accredited members who wish to apply.

Current senior accredited members who have previously gained a specialist accreditation such as CYP or Supervision will keep this accreditation alongside their membership.

30. When will specialist schemes open?

The CYP and Supervision specialist schemes are anticipated to open towards the end of 2024, and we’ll update members in due course.

31. Will you be having more specialist schemes?

We’re currently revising the CYP and Supervision specialist schemes and will update members if we create any new ones in due course.

32. Are the membership eligibility requirements changing? 

Yes, from February 2026 our membership eligibility criteria will be changing.

For our current student members:

• SCoPEd doesn’t change any of our eligibility requirements for existing members
• you’ll be able to work towards becoming a registered member once you’ve successfully completed your training and have qualified, just as you can now

For student cohorts starting from February 2026 onwards, students and individuals wishing to join BACP must be studying on or have completed a course that:

• is a minimum Level 4 qualification (or equivalent)
• is a minimum of two years - whether full or part-time
• has a minimum of 300 guided learning or tutor contact hours
• is either:
  - 100% face to face classroom-based tuition (our preferred route) or,
  - includes at least 70% face to face classroom-based tuition with the remaining tuition delivered as live synchronous online training
• includes an integral and supervised placement of at least 100 client hours, of which at least 51% must be face to face delivery

33. What is a Level 4 or equivalent?

• UK – level 4 diploma, higher national diploma or diploma of higher education
• Level 6 National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland
• Level 8 The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
• international qualifications that are equivalent to a UK Level 4

34. What is meant by guided learning hours?

The hours spent during a course of study when the student is actively engaged in live, synchronous learning* towards the qualification or module being studied, either in person or online.

*Synchronous learning refers to the guidance or supervision provided to a student by a lecturer or other appropriate provider of education or training with the simultaneous physical presence of the student and that person, or remotely by means of simultaneous online communication.

Guided learning hours exclude student initiated (self-directed) private study and any asynchronous (i.e., pre-recorded) online learning.

A more detailed definition is:

Guided learning hours (GLH) time can include

• tutor-led lectures, tutorials and facilitated study
• directed assignments
• skills practice sessions
• discussion groups
• experiential groups
• facilitated study*

*Facilitated study could include:

• tutor guidance for students in open learning centres
• tutor-facilitated research or research awareness
• learning workshops
• web-based tutorials

Guided learning hours can also include time spent by course tutors assessing students’ competence, for example in live practice assessments, and staff-student community meeting time. They exclude student initiated (self-directed) private study and any asynchronous online learning.

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Please contact customer services if you have any further questions.