Qualifications routes for psychologists are available through Divisional membership of the British Psychological Society and there is currently no clearly defined accreditation route within the Society for Coaching Psychologists. A major review is currently being conducted of the Subsystems within the British Psychological Society to look at the required strategic changes to ensure the internal structure of the Society is ‘fit for the future’. As a result, there is a moratorium on the creation of new Divisions. This has impacted on any proposals to formalise the professional accreditation of Coaching Psychology within the Society and during this time of broader change there will also be limited options for defining a professional accreditation route. The SGCP remains committed to explore all of the options available and a number of steps have already been taken.
In 2005, the SGCP started a project on Subject Benchmarks for Coaching Psychology. A draft discussion paper has been produced and the SGCP membership was consulted in 2006 via an on-line survey and at the 1st International Coaching Psychology Conference.
In 2006 the SGCP notified the Society’s President and Board of Trustees that the SGCP Committee is under pressure from our membership to define an accreditation process that will lead to Coaching Psychology specific professional accreditation within the Society.
The next step was taken at the end of 2006 by conducting a member’s survey to focus upon accreditation needs and determine what our members would like us to provide for them. An overview of these findings is available in The Coaching Psychologist (December 2006, Vol 2, No 3)
A session was held at the 1st International Coaching Psychology Conference on ‘Exploring future accreditation options for Coaching Psychology within the BPS’.
In 2007, an SGCP Accreditation Working Party has been set up to specifically focus on this area.
The SGCP will continue to work hard to meet the accreditation needs of our members and answer their questions in support of their professional coaching psychology practice.
If you are interested in getting involved in the work on Accreditation, please complete a Statement of Interest form and submit to [email protected]