Executive Director of Professional Standards
Salary: £12,391 per annum (equivalent to £61,955 FTE)
Hours: 1 day per week (7 hours)
Location: Remote, with online meetings primarily held on Fridays
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 2nd October 2026
Help Shape the Future of Professional Standards
The Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) is seeking an experienced and committed individual to lead our Professional Standards portfolio at a pivotal time for the profession.
This is an opportunity to influence the quality, safety and future development of child and adolescent psychotherapy across the UK. As Executive Director of Professional Standards, you will provide strategic leadership for the standards, ethics and regulatory functions that underpin public protection and professional excellence.
Working closely with the Professional Standards Committee, the ACP Board, senior colleagues and external stakeholders, you will help ensure that ACP members continue to meet the highest standards of professional and ethical practice while supporting the organisation's wider strategic objectives.
About the Role
The Executive Director of Professional Standards leads the ACP's professional standards agenda and chairs the Professional Standards Committee. The role provides oversight of professional standards, registration, CPD, regulatory compliance, policy development and governance arrangements, ensuring that the ACP continues to fulfil its responsibilities as a Professional Standards Authority accredited register.
You will contribute as a member of the ACP's senior leadership team and Board, helping to shape the strategic direction of the organisation and represent the profession nationally.
The role also involves working with the Professional Standards Authority, professional bodies, employers and regulatory partners to strengthen standards and promote best practice across the sector.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Lead and oversee the ACP's professional standards and regulatory functions.
- Chair the Professional Standards Committee and oversee its associated groups and activities.
- Ensure compliance with the requirements of the Professional Standards Authority.
- Contribute to strategic leadership and governance as a member of the ACP Board.
- Maintain constructive relationships with external regulators, professional bodies and employers.
- Support the ongoing development of policies, procedures and standards that strengthen professional accountability and public protection.
Who We Are Looking For
We are interested in hearing from individuals who can demonstrate:
- Experience of leadership, governance and committee chairing.
- A strong understanding of professional standards, ethics, regulation and public protection.
- Experience of policy development, quality assurance or professional governance.
- The ability to work strategically and contribute effectively at Board level.
- Excellent communication, judgement and relationship-building skills.
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Experience within children's mental health services, the NHS, professional regulation or accredited registers would be advantageous.
Why Join ACP?
The ACP is the professional body for child and adolescent psychotherapists in the UK and holds an Accredited Register recognised by the Professional Standards Authority. We play a vital role in protecting the public, supporting professional excellence and promoting access to specialist mental health care for infants, children, young people and families.
This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future of the profession and to influence standards of care across the children's mental health sector.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The ACP is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive profession and welcomes applications from individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring that our governance, policies and practices uphold equality, diversity and inclusion in all that we do.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit the following to recruitment@childpsychotherapy.org.uk :
- A CV
- A supporting statement outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the person specification
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact jo.goldsmith@childpsychotherapy.org.uk