All registrant members must agree to abide by the Society Code of Ethics, terms and conditions of membership, as well as maintaining annual insurance, at least 30 hours of varied CPD in a 12 month period, and 1 hour 30 minutes supervision per month if in full time practice. These are the current requirements in force as set by the Society.
At a minimum, in order to be included within our Register, we require the applicant to have completed an Ofqual Level 4 diploma or equivalent, in Counselling or Psychotherapy practice, which includes a placement of at least 100 hours as part of the qualification, with a duration of either one year full time or two years part time, and covers theory, skills, professional, legal and ethical issues, and personal development.
Our Accredited Professional Registrant grade builds on the above, requiring applicants to have experienced 450 hours of tutor-led training, been in practice for 3 years at the time of applying, completed 450 hours of supervised practice, having an ongoing, evidenced contract for at least 1.5 hours supervision per month with confirmation of attendance from their supervisor, a report from their supervisor, a reference from a suitable referee, evidence of appropriate insurance throughout practice, submit a written statement totalling approximately 6000 words describing their knowledge and understanding of client work, their use of supervision, their understanding of issues of difference and diversity, their ethical and self-awareness relevant to counselling practice, and their use of continuing professional development.
Criteria
Accredited Professional Registrant status is awarded to a counsellor who:
Gained Accredited Registrant status via either the Training/Qualification (minimum Ofqual Level 4 or equivalent) or Equivalent Register route, and therefore completed at least 100 hours of supervised practice in a placement.
Has maintained Accredited Registrant status for at least 1 year in good standing.
Has successfully qualified from a course or courses of counselling practitioner training which:
- Included at least 450 tutor led contact hours accumulated as part of core counselling training. (evidence required)
- Was carried out over at least two years (part-time) or one year (full-time)
- Included a supervised placement as an integral part of the training
- Covered theory, skills, professional, legal and ethical issues and personal development
Has been in practice for 3 years from the date of the first supervised client session when applying.
Has completed at least 450 hours of supervised practice, at least 150 of which must have been accrued post training.
Has been supervised for at least 1.5 hours per month, and continues to have an ongoing contract for supervision in place for at least 1.5 hours per month. (This can be a mix of one to one, group and peer supervision. Peer supervision alone is not acceptable towards supervision hours).
Produces a written statement totalling approximately 6000 words describing:
- their knowledge and understanding of client work
- their use of supervision, use of NCS Code of Ethics and their understanding of issues of difference and diversity
- their ethical and self-awareness relevant to counselling practice
- their use of continuing professional development
and also including:
a satisfactory report from a clinical supervisor
a satisfactory reference from a suitable professional referee.
evidence of appropriate insurance throughout practice.
Guidelines for the Reflective Practice Written Submission
The written statement has a recommended total word count covering the following:
Knowledge and understanding
- Describe how you work with clients with reference to the theory / theories that underpin your practice
- Describe how your understanding of theory has been influenced by your experience of client work
Maximum recommended word count = 1400 words in total
Practice & Supervision
Provide case material to demonstrate:
- How your practice is consistent with your knowledge and understanding of theory
- How your practice demonstrates your awareness of issues of difference and diversity
- How you make use of the NCS Code of Ethical Practice.
- Describe the awareness you have gained through reflection in and on supervision
- Show how you apply that awareness in your practice
Maximum recommended word count = 3,000 words in total
Self-awareness
- Describe an experience or an activity which has contributed to your own self-awareness
- Provide a reason(s) for choosing the experience or activity
- Show how you use this self-awareness in your practice
Maximum recommended word count = 900 words in total
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Describe one CPD activity that you have undertaken in the 12 months
- Explain why you chose this activity and how it has influenced your practice
Maximum recommended word count = 900 words in total
Page last reviewed: 06 April 2021
Next review due: 06 April 2022