UKCP Registration for New Applicants

As a Member Organisation of UKCP, AFT can recommend its members for UKCP Registration provided they fulfil the Criteria for Becoming a Qualified Therapist. The Registration Committee have the responsibility to do this.

Applications may be received by the Registration Committee via two routes:

1. The qualifying route

Qualified family and systemic psychotherapists can apply for registration immediately following qualification and should apply within 3 years of receiving confirmation of their award providing they have completed an AFT accredited training course.

If the application is made more than one year and up to 3 years following the end of the course, a further reference is required to cover the time between the end of the course and application for registration. Evidence of CPD for that time is also required.

If the 3 year limit is exceeded applicants will have to apply through the APEL route unless a special case is made to the committee.

In order to satisfy the requirements for registration, applicants must:

• Be a current member of AFT.
• Provide evidence that they have successfully completed an accredited Qualifying level training course.
• Provide a signed reference from the Course Tutor/Supervisor.
• Confirm that they are practicing with supervision in accordance with the AFT Policy for Continuing Professional Development.
• Provide evidence of professional indemnity insurance and written agreement to abide by the AFT Code of Ethics. Evidence of Professional Indemnity Insurance is required before applicants can be added to the Register to cover all systemic Psychotherapy work.  If applicants decide not to have full personal insurance they will be required to sign a declaration indicating that they will not take on any private work and if they did it would be seen as a breach of professional ethics.
• Provide evidence of a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check within the last 3 years, either a copy of the disclosure or a letter from an Employer/Course Tutor.

For further information please see “Criteria for Becoming a Qualified Therapist”.

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2. The APEL route

The APEL route is designed for people who have completed an advanced clinical training, which does not meet the requirements of a qualifying level course or has not yet applied to AFT for accreditation. A Foundation (Introductory) or Intermediate course would not be sufficient. Applications may also be received from those who have qualified overseas, but can demonstrate equivalence to the requirements for becoming a qualified therapist in the UK – please see separate application form for overseas applicants.

In order to satisfy the requirements for registration via APEL, applicants must:

• Be a current member of AFT.
• Provide evidence that they have undertaken advanced clinical training within the past ten years, including a reference from the course supervisor.
• Provide a detailed professional development statement of 2,000 to 3,000 words including:
  • A statement about the evolution of their practice and the theoretical models informing it, demonstrating a sound understanding of systemic theories.
  • A statement about the way their practice takes account of the wider context, e.g. agency setting, socio-economic and cultural issues and client groups.
  • vignettes of two clinical cases demonstrating the approach and method informing the work and demonstrating evidence that the applicant is aware of his or her personal contribution to the therapeutic process and commenting on use of supervision.
• Confirm that they are practicing with supervision in accordance with the AFT Policy for Continuing Professional Development. Link here
• Provide two further references from UKCP registered family therapists who know the applicant’s clinical work and can comment on their competence as a therapist and systemic thinker.
• Provide evidence of professional indemnity and written agreement to abide by the AFT code of ethics.
• Provide evidence of a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check within the last 3 years, either a copy of the disclosure or a letter from an Employer/Course Tutor.
• The Registration Committee reserves the right to interview applicants applying under this route.

The Registration Committee meets to approve practitioners for UKCP Registration 4 x per year. Application forms are available from Sue Kennedy. (s.kennedy@aft.org.uk) Tel: 01925 444414 or can be downloaded below. Forms should be completed on the computer, handwritten copies will not be accepted.

There is a fee for this initial process of reviewing applications of:

• £100 Qualifying Route.
• £150 Apel Route.
• £175 Apel Overseas Route.

Once recommended there is an annual subscription payable to UCKP and the UKCP new registration form must be completed before your details are entered on the UKCP database. Registrants must renew their registration with UKCP every 12 months and AFT look after this process, ensuring that members re-register in accordance with the UKCP time-table and fulfil the AFT Continuing Professional Development requirements

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