Enhancing public protection

The UKAHPP is an accrediting organisation of Humanistic practitioners and holder of a UK voluntary register of Psychotherapists and Psychotherapeutic Counsellors. As such it is firmly committed to enhancing public protection and promoting public confidence in how it discharges these functions. It is of paramount importance that professional considerations do not dominate or unintentionally subvert public interest.

The UKAHPP’s commitment to public protection is reflected through the following provisions:

  1. Codes of Ethical Principles and Professional Conduct: Establish basic principles and standards of practice expected of professionals working with members of the public.
  2. Accreditation and Registration Requirements: The UKAHPP has rigorous training and practice requirements that must be attained and maintained in order to attain UKAHPP practice recognition.

The UKAHPP has three main categories of membership which are open to professionals working in the public sector (NHS and other statutory services); voluntary services; and those in private practice.

  • Full Accredited Registered Member – The highest level of practice recognition UKAHPP members can aspire to. Training and practice experience is of a high standard, equivalent to level 7 (Masters Degree and above) of the UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) framework of higher education qualifications. Full Accredited Registered Members must undertake a 5 yearly re-accreditation and complete an annual practice declaration, affirming that they meet minimum practice requirements such as supervision, insurance and continuing professional development.
  • Ordinary Registered Member – This is entry level membership to the UKAHPP Register of Humanistic Psychotherapists and Psychotherapeutic Counsellors. It equates to level 5 (Diploma of Higher Education) of the QAA framework. Ordinary Registered Members are required to complete an annual practice declaration, affirming that they meet minimum practice requirements such as supervision, insurance and continuing professional development.
  • Associate Member – This class of membership is for members of the public and professionals who have an interest in Humanistic Psychology. Although the latter may be in practice and working toward UKAHPP registration, their practice has not been endorsed by UKAHPP and as such their name is not included of the UKAHPP register or ‘find a therapist’ website facility. Their practice will not be covered by the UKAHPP Complaints Procedure.
  1. The Register: The UKAHPP holds a voluntary register of Humanistic psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. The register is a public record of all members, who meet the registration criteria and whose practice has been endorsed by UKAHPP. The register also affirms a registrant’s current membership and registration status, including ‘suspension’ and ‘terminations’ if applicable.

Most publicly available registers provide information about a specific registrant only if a name can be provided. In order to enhance public decision making about accessing a therapist, the UKAHPP publishes a complete listing of all registrants.

The register is managed by an appointed ‘Registrar’. The Registrar is not involved in the initial registrant verification process and is not a UKAHPP Director.

  1. Find a Therapist: The UKAHPP allows the public to access more information about a registrant and the kind of therapy they provide, through its ‘Find a Therapist’ website facility.
  2. Annual Audit: The UKAHPP will conduct a sample audit of annual practice declaration returns, to ensure that ongoing registration requirements are being met.
  3. Complaints Procedures: The UKAHPP has robust complaints procedures should a member of the public have any concerns about the service they have received from a registrant or the UKAHPP. These procedures have provision for formal or informal resolution.
  4. External and Lay Representation: In order to maintain impartiality and objectivity the UKAHPP values lay and external representation. In the event of a formal complaint against a registrant, all Adjudication Panels will have a lay member. Lay members will sit on the Board of Directors and may take charge some governance functions. The UKAHPP has an External Moderator whose service can be drawn on as a consultant and in the event a registrant or complainant appealing against the outcome of a complaint hearing. The UKAHPP also has access to other specialist consultants such as an external ‘Safeguarding Consultant’.
  5. Increased Public Awareness about Humanistic Psychology: As counselling and psychotherapy (other than Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is becoming increasing more difficult to access through the NHS, organisations such as the UKAHPP have an increased responsibility to ensure that members of the public have access to information about Humanistic approaches to Psychotherapy and Psychotherapeutic Counselling. .
  6. Feedback: Although registrants are required to provide information about the services they offer the public and to facilitate clients to review their experience when therapy is concluded; the UKAHPP always welcomes feedback from members of the public who have worked with its registrants. It always good to know how useful therapy has been to an individual, what made a difference; and how therapy has impacted on their life.