The BACP Accreditation Scheme is changing…
On 31 October 2023, the BACP closed the accreditation scheme which had been in place for many years to make way for three new application routes – basic accreditation, senior accreditation and renewing current senior accreditation. These have been created and revised to be in line with the long-planned (and quite controversial) SCoPEd framework. The new schemes are open from 7 February 2024 as a ‘transition period’ and will be in place until January 2026.
Deferral resubmissions for applications submitted under the old scheme (up to 31 October 2023) will still be accepted up to six months from your date of deferral.
What does this mean?
The schemes are open from 7 February 2024 and full details can be found on the BACP website. Details of the new ‘transition’ schemes have been announced and here at My Private Practice we have started working hard to get familiar with the changes involved so we can continue to provide easy-to-understand guidance and support.
The current details you need to know:
- If you are a registered BACP member you will be in Column A and you will be able to apply for accredited status to move into Column B. This process looks very similar to the previous accreditation application but includes new referencing to the SCoPEd competencies.
- If you are an accredited member you will be in Column B and you will be able to apply for senior accredited status to move into Column C. This is significantly different and requires you to show evidence of multiple areas you apply your professional knowledge and skills outside of client work.
- If you are currently a senior accredited member you we also be in Column B and will have until January 2027 to complete a new accreditation process to move into Column C and remain senior accredited. You will need to complete most of the same process as those hoping to become senior accredited for the first time.
There are specific eligibility criteria for each category and these are mapped against the SCoPEd competencies.
You can find full details including downloads of the criteria and guidance for each of these categories on the BACP page SCoPEd Transition Mechanisms.
What should I do?
Become informed about the new process: there is a lot of new information to absorb and understand about these processes. Once you have decided which of the three routes you would like to apply for, get really familiar with it. Read the eligibility criteria, the information you need to submit in the admin form, the reflective criteria questions. Have a clear idea of the structure of the application and what will be required to tackle it.
Keep records and gather information: if you are thinking of applying under any of the new schemes in the new year, you will need to start keeping records and gathering evidence to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and will have evidence for your criteria answers.
Talk to your supervisor: you will need good support if you want to go for any of the new applications and your supervisor will need to write a supporting statement with your application. Check that they are happy to support you and work on the process together. If not, you may want to think about finding an alternative supervisor before you start.
Brush up on your references: you will need to be familiar both with the BACP Ethical Framework and also the new SCoPEd competencies. These competencies go in-depth into five key areas and can seem daunting at first. Make them your bedtime reading for a while until they start to feel familiar and manageable! It will also help you to check any other specific competencies which apply to you like working with CYP or online and telephone working.
Evaluate: these are very changing times in our profession and the impact of the SCoPEd changes will most likely take years to be properly evaluated. It is worth considering what will best serve your career including personal and professional goals at this point. It may be that you are happy to stay in your designated column or that you feel you need to move columns to improve your chance of paid referral work or employment. Think carefully about your motivation and consider what support you will need with any decision to make.
Watch this space! we will be launching guidance and e-books on the new (basic) accreditation process early in 2024 and will be working on the two senior accreditation schemes later in the year. Sign up to our newsletter if you would like to know when these come out.
