In addition to our regulatory and standard setting functions, the ACP works to support its members and develop the profession of child and adolescent psychotherapy.
Supporting and Developing Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
The ACP:
- Campaigns for the inclusion of child and adolescent psychotherapy as part of effective multi-disciplinary services for infants, children, young people and families.
- Engages with legislators, policy makers, service commissioners and providers and other influencers in the sector to promote the recognition of child and adolescent psychotherapy as a core element of comprehensive services and to provide expertise in the development of service models, frameworks and NICE guidelines.
- Supports initiatives to develop research in child and adolescent psychotherapy and disseminate evidence of the effectiveness of psychonalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy with parents and infants, children and young people.
- Works alongside the 12 psychological professions in the NHS as part of the Psychological Professions Network to promote a more psychological and psychotherapeutic approach to health and care services.
- Collaborates with education commissioners in all four nations of the UK to ensure access to funding for the training of child and adolescents psychotherapists and support increased access to the profession in all regions and from all sections of the community.
- Is working to ensure that child and adolescent psychotherapy meets the needs of a diverse population and that child psychotherapy is an equal opportunity profession.
Member Benefits
Members of the ACP:
- Can join a number of Supported Clinical Networks, Study Groups, the Independent Practice Group as well as having opportunities to join the ACP's committees and working groups such as the Diversity and Equality Working Group. National and Regional Groups already exist in some areas and we are working to ensure they cover the whole UK. We are members of the European Federation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and are looking for more ways to support our members overseas.
- Have access to the ACP's Annual Conference and an increasing range of CPD and training events.
- Receive publications including the Journal of Child Psychotherapy (the official scientific journal of the ACP), a Bulletin three-times per year, a monthly newsletter, a weekly jobs bulletin and other relevant information.
- Can access the Member Directory online to make contact with fellow members of the profession.
Member Support
Members of the ACP:
- Have access to committees and groups that work on matters of importance to members working in the NHS, the third sector and in independent practice.
- Can receive support and advice from one of the following officers of the ACP via the ACP office at admin@childpsychotherapy.org.uk.
Employment Standards Group Lead – for advice about employment standards in the NHS and other public bodies
Union reps – for advice about employment standards in the NHS and other public bodies
Chair, Ethical Practice Group - for advice about ethical issues in your practice
Lead, Independent Practice Group – for advice about issues arising in independent practice
Business Manager and CPD Lead – if you have queries about your CPD return
Registrar – if you need to change your status on the register (e.g. for parental leave, or because you stop working)