PCPB welcomes NHS England guidance on registration requirements for psychological professions
The Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB) welcomes NHS England’s publication of its Guidance on NHS registration requirements for use of psychological professions titles. The guidance provides greater clarity and consistency regarding registration requirements across NHS commissioned services in England and recognises the important contribution that counsellors and psychotherapists make within the psychological professions workforce.
The guidance confirms Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Accredited Registers as a recognised route to public protection and professional accountability and identifies the registers of PCPB member organisations as recognised registers for counsellors and psychotherapists working within NHS commissioned services. It also references the SCoPEd framework in setting out registration requirements for counsellors and psychotherapists working with adults.
The publication represents an important step towards greater transparency, consistency and understanding of the counselling and psychotherapy professions across NHS services.
Professor Adam Boddison OBE, independent chair of PCPB, said: “For the first time, NHS England has brought together clear national registration requirements for psychological professions titles in a single framework. This provides greater clarity for employers, commissioners and, most importantly, for members of the public seeking psychological support.
“We are particularly pleased to see recognition of the role that PSA Accredited Registers play in supporting public protection, professional standards and accountability, and acknowledgement of the SCoPEd framework developed collaboratively by the PCPB member bodies.
“This guidance reflects years of constructive partnership working across the profession and represents an important milestone in the recognition of counsellors and psychotherapists as a valued part of the NHS workforce.
“While there is more work to do to support workforce development and access to opportunities across NHS services, this guidance provides an important foundation for the future. PCPB and its member organisations look forward to continuing to work with NHS England and our partners across the sector in support of high standards, public confidence and improved access to psychological therapies.”
