SCoPEd framework
SCoPEd framework
The Scope of Practice and Education for Counselling and Psychotherapy (SCoPEd) framework outlines the core training, practice and competency requirements for counsellors and psychotherapists working with adults. It was developed collaboratively by six professional bodies, including ACC, all of which hold registers accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). This partnership of the six professional bodies is known as the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB).
The columns within the framework can be understood as a path for progression in the profession. One of the benefits of the framework is having these competences set out so that clients and employers have a clear description of what counsellors and psychotherapists in each column are able to do as a minimum within the five themes of therapy practice. However, counsellors may have significant knowledge and experience and, for a variety of reasons, choose not to accredit.
ACC members currently formally align to column A for registered counsellors, column B for accredited counsellors and column C for senior accredited counsellors. The PCPB equivalents are shown below:
SCoPEd Framework membership categories:
| A | B | C | |
| Current membership categories | ACC registered member
BACP registered member HGI registered member NCPS accredited registrant |
ACC accredited member
BACP accredited member HGI accredited member NCPS accredited professional UKCP psychotherapeutic |
ACC senior accredited member
BACP senior accredited member BPC psychotherapist BPC psychodynamic counsellor HGI senior accredited member NCPS senior accredited UKCP psychotherapist |
ACC members can practise in any area of counselling and psychotherapy if it is within their competence, and the framework is not intended to be restrictive in this way. However, members must evidence their competence in column B and/or C when applying for accreditation.
