National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate

Addiction Professionals Membership Applicants must be Individual or Associate Members of Addiction Professionals

You should be covered by agency and/or personal professional indemnity insurance for all of your counselling/therapeutic practice. A copy of insurance certificate(s) will be required at application stage.

You must be practicing counselling or psychotherapy when you submit your application.

You have been awarded a qualification from a AP accredited training course:

• University of Bath / Action on Addiction: FdSc Addictions Counselling
• London South Bank University: Addiction Psychology and Counselling MSc

AND

Professional Practice requirement:

• Have been in practice at least three years when you apply for accreditation, 1.5 years of which have been in the substance use/addictions field.
• Have at least 400 hours of supervised practice accumulated within three to six years, of which 250 hours should be in the addictions field. They do not have to be consecutive years.
• Have been supervised for at least 1½ hours per month throughout the periods of practice submitted.

OR

You have successfully completed one validated programme of learning leading to an award for practitioner training in generic counselling and/or psychotherapy at educational level 4 or above validated by a recognised college, training provider or university, that:

• Included at least 400 hours of tutor contact hours of which 100 hours teaching* must be related to drug, alcohol, gambling and related addictions.  If not included in the 400 hours basic training package this should be evident in subsequent Continued Professional Development (CPD).

  • The teaching must include: the psychology of addictive behaviours, including both individual processes and socially influenced processes.

  • There should also be training in methodologies that are recognised to be applicable in addiction counselling including, Motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural therapy for substance abuse, and Mindfulness Based therapies including Mindfulness based Relapse Prevention,  Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

• Was carried out over at least two years (part-time) or one year (full-time)
• Had supervised practice as an integral part of the training
• Covered theory, skills, professional issues and personal development

In addition you must either hold the Drug and Alcohol Professional Certification, or demonstrate competence in the NOS units.

AND

Professional Practice requirement:

• Have at least 400 hours of supervised practice accumulated within three to six years, of which 250 hours should be in the addictions field*. They do not have to be consecutive years
• Have been supervised for at least 1½ hours per month throughout the period of practice submitted
• Have been in practice at least three years when you apply for accreditation – of which 1.5 yrs should be in the addictions field
• Any attendance at conferences should not be included in the 100 hours as outlined above.

OR

Have a portfolio of at least 400 hours of training in more than one programme of learning, and equivalent in breadth and depth to that described in Route TWO above. The training will have been validated by recognised college(s), training provider (s) or university(ies), and should normally have been obtained over a period of no more than 10 years, and in excess of 1 year (full-time), and two years (part-time). It should also include:

• substantial clinically supervised practice as an integral part of the training, with overall supervision from the college(s), training provider (s)university(ies) concerned.
• theory, skills, professional issues and personal development

• In addition, at least 400 hours of tutor contact hours of which 100 hours teaching* must be related to drug, alcohol, gambling and related addictions.  If not included in the 400 hours basic training package this should be evident in subsequent Continued Professional Development (CPD).

  The teaching must include: the psychology of addictive behaviours, including both Individual processes and socially influenced processes.

  There should also be training in methodologies that are recognised to be applicable in addiction counselling including, Motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural therapy for substance abuse, and Mindfulness Based therapies including Mindfulness based Relapse Prevention,  Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

AND

Professional Practice Requirement

• Have been in practice at least three years when you apply for accreditation - 1.5 yrs in substance use/addiction field
• Have at least 400 hours of supervised practice accumulated within three to six years, of which 250 hours should be in the addictions field (see*above). They do not have to be consecutive years
• Have been supervised for at least 1½ hours per month throughout the period of practice submitted.

In addition you must either hold the Drug and Alcohol Professional Certification, or demonstrate competence in the NOS units.

*Any attendance at conferences should not be included in the 100 hours as outlined above.

You have an ongoing contract for counselling/psychotherapy clinical supervision for a minimum of 1½ hours per month for each month in which practice is undertaken.

You must demonstrate the following:  

Knowledge and understanding
Your Philosophy and Approach to Counselling within the addictions field.

• Describe the theory and application of your personal approach when working with (as applicable):
  • Individuals
  • Couples
  • Groups
• Describe the place of your self-awareness within your way of working

You will be asked to give supervision details for all the work you refer to in your application (that is, all the work you use to show you meet Criterion 4 and your current work).

You may use one-to-one supervision, team supervision, group supervision and peer supervision. Peer supervision is where all members of the group give and receive supervision. Group supervision is where group members receive supervision from a group facilitator, who is not supervised within that group, and team supervision is where the group members work as a team within an organised therapeutic context. You may add hours from different supervision arrangements to give a total of at least 1½ hours a month.

Your supervision time is calculated as follows:

Individual supervision:

• Claim all of the time you are in supervision

Team and Group supervision:

• Groups of four or less (not including the group facilitator or the group supervisor) = Claim half of the time
• Groups of five or more (not including the group facilitator or the group supervisor) = Claim a third of the time

Peer supervision:

• Groups of four or less = claim half of the time
• Groups of five or six = Claim a third of the time

If the supervision is peer supervision, when asked on the application for the supervisor’s name, nominate and name one group member only who can represent the group. Your nominated Supervisor should see your application in order to compile his or her report.

Practice  

In your case material you must demonstrate:

• Exercise of the broader professional responsibilities as illustrated in the core functions
• Your use of self-awareness in the therapeutic relationship
• How your practice illustrates your awareness of issues of difference and equality and the impact they have on your counselling / psychotherapy relationships 
• Use of Standards of Conduct and Ethics for addiction professionals.

Supervision

In your case material demonstrate how supervision influences your practice by:  

• Describing the awareness you have gained through reflection in and on supervision
• Showing how you apply that awareness in your practice

Criterion 6.1 – Knowledge and understanding

This section of the application process is concerned with the knowledge used that informs your practice with clients. It incorporates your understanding and use of theory/theories and on what basis you integrate them in your work with clients in a meaningful way.

The following are points you may want to consider in your content:

1. An explanation of how you came to develop your approach
2. A description of how theory informs your actual practice
3. Problems with putting theory into practice, and how you overcame them.
4. Assuming your approach is eclectic or integrative, how is coherence ensured?

Recommended word count = 1000 words (+ or -10%), please give your word count at the end.

Criterion 6.2 and 6.3: Practice and the use of supervision

Practice

In this section, you should present a case study that provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate how you exercised the counsellor’s broader professional responsibilities in your work. Your case material should also demonstrate the application of the theory/theories described previously under 6.1

The use of supervision

In this section you should show how you have gained awareness from supervision and demonstrate how this awareness is applied in your work with clients.

In your case material demonstrate how supervision influences your practice by describing:

• Overview of the type and nature of the supervision
• The issues brought to the supervision and why
• How the supervision influenced the applicant's wider development as a counsellor

The recommended word count for Criteria 6.2 and 6.3 is 1000 words in total (+ or - 10%); please give the word count at the end

Case material for 6.2 and 6.3:

Choosing your case material

You should choose a case study in consultation with your supervisor. Case material that is written for another purpose is unlikely to meet these application requirements. The example used for the case material should be typical of your current or recent work. All case material submitted should be commented on by your supervisor(s) in their Supervisor Report.

Writing your case material

The applicant should choose a case study that provides the opportunity to demonstrate the broad professional responsibilities of the counsellor to the client. You should also use your case material to show how the theory/theories used inform your practice. You should illustrate your own self-awareness as a practitioner and how this is used in the therapeutic relationship with your client(s). You must make reference to your awareness of issues of difference and equality, and show that you work within the Standards of Conduct and Ethics and alcohol professionals. You should also show how you have gained awareness through your supervision and illustrate how this influences your work with clients. The case material should illustrate self-reflection, give a sense of the relationship between you and your client and show that the theory/theories described in Criterion 6.1 are those you use in practice. It should not be an account of the client’s story or a chronicle of events. The work can include extracts from client sessions, but you must disguise the identity of your client(s).

Presenting your case material

Your case study should cover the wide range of professional responsibilities in therapeutic practice; which may include, besides counselling itself: comprehensive assessment(initial assessment, including intake and orientation) , treatment planning, case management(including report and record keeping), crisis intervention, client education, consultation with other professionals in regard to client treatment, including referrals and supervision (e.g. the ‘core functions of the counsellor’ Kulewicz 1996); Relevant forms and correspondence should be inserted in the appendix. You should also include here: Risk assessment (a reference to health and self harm/suicide issues should be included); social history; substance use history; emotional/behavioural assessment; treatment plan and treatment plan review; aftercare plan and discharge plan. You do not have to present the case material as an academic essay. The case material may contain verbatim extracts from your sessions. You must reference published works, authors, theories etc when referring to, or quoting directly from their work.

You can use a successfully completed Addiction Professionals accredited course to apply under Criterion 4 ROUTE 1. You can use another completed counsellor/psychotherapist training course for Criterion 4 ROUTE 2. If you have not completed a training course successfully or in time for your application, you will not be able to count it towards your training hours.

If you apply under Criterion 4 ROUTE 2, or Criterion 4 ROUTE 3, you must show that you have completed a placement as part of the requirements of your course(s). A placement is assessed counselling/ psychotherapy work with genuine clients, carried out as part of your training course(s). Hours spent on placement do not count towards the 400 hours of formal teaching time. However, they may count towards the supervised practice hours.

Acceptable training course hours are those that relate to formal timetabled tutor contact time. Non-contact hours (for example, private study, reading, writing assignments and so on) cannot be included. Most qualifications in the field of human relations, applied social studies and human services are not counselling/psychotherapy qualifications and you cannot use them to meet Criterion 4. (Examples of these qualifications include: BA or BSc psychology, sociology, applied social sciences, medical degrees, professional certificates and diplomas such as health visiting, social work, personnel qualifications, training for religious ministry, alternative health and healing qualifications.)

You must provide evidence of all training you are using to meet Criterion 4.

Please include a verified copy of the award (certificate) for each course. Please do not send originals.

You can get a verified copy of the certificate by:

• Taking a photocopy of the original
• Writing ‘This is a true copy of the original document’ on the copy and signing it
• Asking your Proposer or Supervisor to sign the copy as a witness to your signature

We do not accept copies that have not been verified. If your name has changed from that shown on your certificate please include as proof, a letter of explanation and a copy of your marriage/civil partnership certificate or deed poll.

Either: Carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs in substance misuse setting 
NOS Code: AF2.2012

View Details Workplace Assessment

Or: Carry out comprehensive assessment for alcohol and other substances
NOS Code: AF3.2014

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Develop effective relationships with individuals
NOS Code: SCDHSC0233

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Promote effective communication
NOS Code: SCDHSC0031

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Develop your practice through reflection and learning
NOS Code: SCDHSC0033 (HSC33)

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Promote the safeguarding of individuals
NOS Code: SCDHSC0035

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Make use of supervision
NOS Code: GEN36

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Use recognised theoretical models to provide therapeutic support to individuals who misuse substances
NOS Code: AI1.2012

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Use recognised theoretical models to provide therapeutic support to groups of individuals who misuse substances
NOS Code: AI3.2012

View Details Workplace Assessment
 

New applications

1 Are you a Practitioner / Advanced Practitioner Member or Associate Member? 

2 Fill out the application form  Chose which route you are applying for in Criterion 4 and fill in the section of the application form that applies to you. Please be aware of the following:

• AP reserves the right to interview any applicant if it is judged that an interview is required to complete the accreditation process.
  
  
• Please type or write clearly in all areas of the form that apply to you, and include all extra sheets and documents you need. You, your supervisor and the person supporting your application for accreditation (your proposer) should respond to all the questions asked, or answer ‘not applicable’. Do not leave any questions unanswered unless you are told to do so. You should explain any abbreviations and acronyms you use in your application. If you do not fill in all of your application, or we cannot read it, we may send it back to you.
  
  
• You may need more than one copy of a page or more space. Please photocopy or reprint the relevant pages or continue on a separate sheet of paper and include with your application.
  
  
• AP reserves the right to contact any person or organisation mentioned in your application.
  
  
• AP does not return applications so please save a copy for yourself prior to sending the application.

3 Include copies of your insurance.

4 Provide evidence of all training you are using to meet Criterion. Please include a verified copy of the award (certificate) for each course. Please do not send originals.

You can get a verified copy of the certificate by:

• Taking a photocopy of the original
• Writing ‘This is a true copy of the original document’ on the copy and signing it
• Asking your Proposer or Supervisor to sign the copy as a witness to your signature

We do not accept copies that have not been verified. If your name has changed from that shown on your certificate please include as proof, a letter of explanation and a copy of your marriage/civil partnership certificate or deed poll.

5  Please include your Supervisor/s report/s with your application. 

Each supervisor should see your completed application and casework before completing their report. Please give your supervisor/s the Supervisor report.

6 Arrange for your proposer to fill in their report and send it to us separately, to arrive at the same time as your application. Your proposer should normally be one of the following - a holder of the NCAC accreditation; a UKCP registered counsellor; a BACP / UKCP registered practitioner; a BPS Chartered or Registered Psychologist; or someone holding MRCPsych, or MRCGP status.

Your Proposer should know you well enough to confirm that you are:

• a responsible person
• a person of professional integrity
• of good standing within your profession

Your proposer should not be a supervisor who has submitted a report for your application. Your proposer should not be a client or an ex-client. Your Proposer should not be your husband, wife, civil partner, partner or close relative. Please give your Proposer the Guidance for the proposer form and ask them to fill in the Proposer statement. 

7 Pay your fee for accreditation* (£150 non refundable). Details of how to pay are on the application form.

Your certificate will be emailed to you with your notification of accreditation. This certificate is only valid when accompanied by AP Membership. You will be required to renew your membership annually (a reminder will be sent in advance). Accreditation is valid for three calendar years from the date accreditation was awarded.

NCAC accreditation is valid for three years, after which members must apply for reaccreditation. 

NCAC accreditation provides complementary evidence of competence for the  Drug and Alcohol Professional Certificate Accreditation. Those successful in their application are able to achieve this for an additional fee of £25. 

New NCAC application check list

AP Individual or associate member?
Have you fully completed the application form?
Copy of insurance included?
Evidence of training included?
Supervisor'/s report included?
Proposer's report included?
Payment made?

Once we receive your application, we will check that you have provided all the information we need and that you meet the basic eligibility Criteria. We will match it to your Proposer’s statement and check that you have made the correct payment. We will then send your application to the assessors.

We aim to take no more than four months to assess your application and tell you our decision. If we need to contact you because your application is incomplete or unclear, the process may take longer.

Any documentation you send us to support your application for accreditation must be authentic, accurate and current. If we discover that any of the information is not accurate or complete, we may turn down or withdraw your accreditation application. False information may result in a referral to Professional Conduct for investigation.

The decision will be one of the following:

• Criteria met
  If the evidence submitted is judged to have met all criteria, accreditation as a NCAC counsellor / psychotherapist will be awarded. You will be informed in writing and a certificate of accreditation will be sent.
• Criteria not yet met
  If any of the criteria are judged not to be satisfactorily evidenced at this stage, you will be informed in writing. The deferment letter will explain why particular criteria have not been met. You will then be allowed a further six months in which to address the points in the letter and send further evidence. All evidence to meet the outstanding criteria must be sent at the same time. A further fee of £70, non refundable, is payable to cover the additional assessment.

If you do not address the points in the letter and send further evidence by the end of the six-month period, your application will be deemed to have lapsed.

There is no facility to appeal at this stage.

Final decision

Your additional evidence will be assessed alongside your original application and a final decision made. If all criteria are judged to have been met, accreditation will be awarded. If, however, any criteria remain unmet, your application will be deemed to be unsuccessful.

Your options then will be:

1. Re-application:you need to wait a period of 12 months after the final decision before you reapply. The re-application should provide new evidence which addresses the reasons given for failure of the first application. The full accreditation fee applies to the new application.
2. Appeal– Applicants have the right to appeal against Final accreditation decisions on procedural grounds, that is:

That the application has not been fairly and properly assessed against the published criteria.

Disagreement with the assessors’ professional judgement is not in itself grounds for appeal.

• An appeal must be lodged within 2 months of the date of the final decision letter
• A fee of £70 is payable
• The decision of the appeals panel is final

Reaccreditation criteria

NCAC accreditation is valid for three years, after which members must apply for reaccreditation. To be reaccredited, practising counsellors need to meet the following criteria:

1 You are a Practitioner, Advanced Practitioner or Associate Member 

2 Complete the application form. 

Please be aware of the following:

• Applications for re-accreditation may be made in the three calendar months before accreditation expires, and in the calendar year following expiry. Successful re-applications will be dated as from the date of expiry of the previous accreditation period.
• The application form will ask you whether you have received regular supervision, in line with AP guidance, in the period since accreditation was last awarded.
• Non-practising counsellors can also re-accredit provided they meet the criteria above for membership and professional development, and in addition the supervision criterion for any period during which they have been practising since they were last accredited.

3 Provide evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) in at least three of the following categories during the period prior to your reaccreditation application. 

A minimum total of seventy-two hours over the three years is required; forty eight of which should fall under categories A and B, with a minimum of 24 being under category A. A combination of hours under categories C and D is expected for the remaining hours.

1. Face to Face Learning and Skills Development
   Topics covered should be relevant to professional practice in the addictions field. They must include some practical elements and not solely have been delivered in lecture/seminar format. This must NOT be in the form of online courses or teaching on face to face courses.
   
   
2. On line Learning relevant to professional practiceEducation evidence submitted must be from an institution deemed qualified to deliver such education. Topics covered should be relevant to professional practice in the addictions. This may be covered by online courses including Premium CPD Membership webinars – please see note E.
   
   
3. Attendance at Seminars and Conferences
   Themes presented must have been relevant to professional practice in the addictions field.
   
   
4. Involvement in the professional development of others
   This does not include the professional practitioner supervision of others. For example, areas deemed applicable are designing courses, facilitating courses, training sessions, speaking at conferences, writing articles relevant to professional practice in the field, research, encouraging the development of others through initiatives relevant to professional practice. For example, Premium CPD Membership Clinical and Research Updates.
   
   
5. Reflective Statement on A, B, C and D
   1000 words or more describing how your CPD has helped you to develop your work as an addictions counsellor and also how it might have complemented your own personal development.

Please be aware of the following:

• Wherever practical you should aim to average out your training on an annual basis. 
• Please note that membership of Mutual Aid groups will not be accepted as CPD.
• Please provide documentary evidence that you have completed the hours being claimed (under categories A to D). This should either be in the form of a certificate (please note that hours claimed may be checked with the training provider) but if this is not practical it should be in the form of a letter from the training organisation concerned, or from your employer/supervisor at the time if they are able to validate the hours claimed.

4 The fee for re-accreditation is £100 (non refundable). Payment must be made by bank transfer – details can be found on the application form.

Reaccreditation check list

Practitioner, Advanced Practitioner or Associate member?
Application form completed?
Evidence of CPD included?
Payment made?