Clinical Associates in Psychology can now join our Wider Psychological Workforce Register
The BPS is delighted to announce that we’ve launched registration for Clinical Associates in Psychology (CAPs) through our dedicated Wider Psychological Workforce Register.
13 July 2023
CAPs have been a part of the psychology workforce in England for around three years and play a crucial role in providing psychological services to the public.
The role, along with other psychological practitioner and applied psychology roles, are not regulated by law, so our Professional Standards Authority accredited register provides a mechanism for those working in these roles to show that they have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to practice.
The register launched last year, alongside one run by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, and initially provided registration for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, Children's Wellbeing Practitioners and Education Mental Health Practitioners, and Clinical Associates in Applied Psychology (CAAPs Scotland), with this now extended to CAPs in England.
Sarb Bajwa, chief executive of the BPS, said:
"We're delighted to welcome CAPs to our PSA-accredited register, and that another key role in the wider psychological workforce is finding its professional home within the society.
"Registration of these roles, which are playing an increasingly significant part in the psychological workforce, helps to drive up standards and offer increased public protection.
"Registration of CAPs is the culmination of significant work over a number of years, and I want to thank everyone who has played a part in making it a reality."
The Trailblazer Group and the Group of Trainers in CAP added:
"The opening of the register is a significant moment in the development of the CAP profession.
"By joining the register, you are demonstrating to your colleagues and the wider public that you have completed a BPS-accredited programme and continue to apply your knowledge and skills within your scope of practice for the benefit of your clients.
"By joining you further legitimise your role and training and as such are helping to build this new and important professional group."
CAPs wishing to register will need to have successfully completed a BPS-accredited CAP training programme, be in current employment as a CAP and receiving supervision.
If you are a qualified CAP and your course is not yet accredited, it is likely that your education provider is in the application for accreditation process – we would recommend contacting your provider for further information on this. Once your programme receives its accreditation you can apply to join the register.
Registration is not currently a requirement for these roles in the wider psychological workforce, so it will not affect employment if your provider is yet to complete the accreditation process.
CAPs can join the society under our Full membership grade, with more details available on our website.
We're looking forward to welcoming qualified CAPs to the society and our register. For more information and to apply, please visit the Wider Psychological Workforce Register area on our website.