PROFESSIONAL FORMATION · EVIDENCE · PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Pathway to Accreditation
A clear route from professional education to accountable practice. Understand your next step, prepare your evidence and build your professional standing with ICPHAA.
THE ICPHAA APPROACH
Competence. Integrity. Accountability.
Accreditation is more than a qualification. It brings education, supervised experience, ethical judgement and continuing development into one professional commitment.
01 · FIND YOUR STARTING POINT
A pathway that reflects your professional stage
This guide helps applicants organise their next steps. Your qualification, professional discipline, experience and current standing determine the evidence needed for assessment.
Before committing to training or counting practice hours, ask the Registry to confirm the current criteria for your route. Required hours, supervision arrangements, eligible training and any additional conditions must be confirmed for your circumstances.
Student Member
Build your professional foundations while undertaking relevant education. Keep clear records of training, placement and supervision. Student membership is not independent accreditation or permission to practise independently.
Pre-Accredited Member
Bring together your completed core training and developing supervised experience. Agree your next steps with the Registry and represent your pre-accredited status accurately.
Accredited Member
Present evidence of education, practice, supervision and professional safeguards for review. Accreditation follows a formal decision; it does not arise automatically from course completion or payment.
Supervisor Member
Seek assessment of your supervisory preparation and experience. Being an experienced or accredited practitioner does not, by itself, establish competence to supervise others.
02 · YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
Six stages. One continuing commitment.
Use this sequence as a practical planning guide. Progress depends on the quality and relevance of your evidence, not simply the passage of time.
01 Clarify your route Explain your professional background, current qualification and intended area of practice. Ask which membership category is appropriate and obtain the criteria and evidence requirements before you plan your application. Prepare: a brief professional CV and a list of your qualifications.
02 Establish your core training Gather your award, transcript and programme information. Distinguish a qualifying professional programme from a short course or CPD award. Where training was completed abroad or follows a different structure, ask what further information is needed for review. Prepare: qualification documents, course content and placement details.
03 Develop through supervised practice Maintain a record of relevant client work and supervision. Agree suitable supervision arrangements and confirm which work can count towards your route. Discuss competence, boundaries, referral and learning needs regularly; a log of hours alone does not demonstrate readiness. Prepare: dated practice and supervision logs, with appropriate verification.
04 Bring your portfolio together Check that your evidence is current, consistent and complete. Review your development with your supervisor and arrange any report or confirmation requested by the Registry. Explain gaps, changes in supervision or periods away from practice. Prepare: a clearly organised application and supporting evidence.
05 Apply and respond to review Submit the membership application and provide further documents through the route advised by the Registry. Respond to requests for clarification or additional evidence. Continue to describe your existing status accurately while your application is being considered. Milestone: formal confirmation of your membership or accreditation outcome.
06 Maintain your professional standing Continue appropriate supervision, relevant CPD, reflective practice and professional safeguards. Keep your membership and public information up to date, work within your competence, and review any new area of practice before offering it. Ongoing record: development, supervision, renewal and changes to practice.
03 · APPLICATION READINESS
Your evidence checklist
Use this as an organising checklist, not a substitute for the Registry’s route-specific requirements. Supply documents relevant to your profession and stage of practice.
Education & identity
Accurate contact details and professional CV.
Relevant awards, transcripts and programme information.
Placement or enrolment evidence, where applicable.
Practice & supervision
Dated records of eligible professional experience.
Supervision arrangements and attendance records.
Supervisor details and any requested report or verification.
Safeguards & development
Professional insurance appropriate to your work.
Relevant safeguarding and vetting information, where applicable.
CPD records and accurate professional declarations.
04 · STANDARDS THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY
Safe practice is not a final-stage requirement
Supervision with purpose
Use supervision to examine your work, recognise limitations and develop sound judgement. Confirm suitable supervisor credentials, frequency and arrangements for your route rather than assuming every supervision format is acceptable.
Work within your scope
Children and adolescents, couples, groups and remote practice can require additional preparation and safeguards. Check your training, insurance, supervision and competence before extending your services.
Ethics in everyday decisions
Make consent, confidentiality, boundaries, safeguarding and honest professional representation part of routine practice. Seek advice when uncertain and keep a proportionate record of your reasoning and actions.
05 · QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Clarity before you apply
For a decision about your own eligibility, contact the Registry with your qualification and professional background.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Make your next professional step an informed one.
Start your application, explore the membership fees or speak to ICPHAA about the evidence appropriate to your pathway.