Response to Private Eye story regarding British Psychological Society’s President-Elect’s credentials as Expert Witness

The guidance from the BPS is clear that Expert Witnesses should be registered with HCPC and/or a Chartered Psychologist. Dr Joanna North is a Chartered Psychologist and has been for almost ten years. 

Dr North is not registered with HCPC as she does not work under one of the nine protected titles which require you to have HCPC registration. It is important to be clear that her work as a Research Psychologist, Counsellor and Psychotherapist does not give her entry into HCPC registration. HCPC is a regulator and not a professional body and it is not possible to simply 'join' as the article in Private Eye implies.

Dr North is registered with the BPS as a Research Psychologist, with expertise in the area of adoption. However, it is important to be clear that when called as an Expert Witness she is working as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist, and as a researching psychologist with expertise in the field of adoption and is registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, which in turn, is overseen by the Professional Standards Authority. The Family Courts rely on both psychologists and psychotherapists to act as Expert Witnesses and have always been fully aware of her credentials.  

Dr North has undertaken extensive research and additional training with regard to her work as an Expert Witness, including completing the Certificate in Expert Witness Practice from Cardiff University. Her work with adopted children, adults and families is regulated under Ofsted and has been rated as an outstanding service for the last 12 years.

Doctor North is a leading expert in the field of Adoption. The BPS is acutely aware of the dangers of the use of unregulated experts in the Family Courts and is actively working to ensure that its guidance is followed. We have serious concerns about the qualifications of some of those acting as Expert Witnesses, and we have consistently raised these with the relevant accrediting organisations, and will continue to do so to ensure those in the Family Courts are protected.