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The Society's Complaints Procedure

Information for Complainants

Under the new legislation the regulator of applied psychologists is the Health Professions Council (HPC). The HPC opened its register for applied psychologists on 1 July 2009, and from this date the HPC will be responsible for considering allegations about the fitness to practise of applied psychologists. Members of the British Psychological Society are required to follow the Member Conduct Rules and there is a procedure for considering whether a member has breached the Society’s rules, but this will not investigate fitness to practise allegations.

The Member Conduct Rules are intended to provide clarity and transparency in the underpinning standards of what it means to be a member of the Society. The rules set out those circumstances in which the Society may reprimand, suspend or expel a member and are required in order to fulfil the Society’s Royal Charter objectives. The Society can only consider allegations about a member of the Society who has breached the Member Conduct Rules. Please download the Member Conduct Rules document to help you identify whether under these rules, the allegation you intend to present to the Society can be considered.

Member Conduct Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you submit your complaint, you may wish to read our Frequently Asked Questions, as detailed below:

Can you tell me if you have ever received a complaint against a particular psychologist who is a member of the Society?

Following the introduction of statutory regulation on 1 July, the Society no longer publicises the outcomes following a complaint against a member nor will any requests for this information be fulfilled. We can only provide that information when and if a decision into an allegation was upheld and if this information is in the public domain - this information would be available on our website and is only available for complaints that were investigated and concluded prior to 1 July 2009.

Is the Society not obliged to provide this information to members of the public under the data protection act, or to those making a specific request for this information?

The Society is not under any obligation to provide information regarding complaints against any of its members. This information is confidential and there are no legal requirements for the Society to disclose this. The Health Professions Council, who is the statutory regulator for applied psychologists, does publicise the outcomes of any hearings that they conduct via their website.

I have been made aware that the psychologist I am receiving treatment from/supervising me has previously been the subject of a complaint. Can you confirm whether or not that individual is fit to practice/supervise me?

We cannot comment on this matter. However, we do expect that following a decision from any complaint against a psychologist, whether or not the complaint was proved, it is expected that all members follow the Member Conduct rules and the Code of Ethics and conduct - in doing so, they would be considered to be meeting the expectations of the Society for the way in which they work.

The Psychologist I wish to complain about is not a member of the Society, who can I complain to?

In the first instance you should check with the Health Professions Council to see whether the psychologist is registered with them. If they are, you could consider submitting a complaint to them. If not, in the first instance you may wish to raise your concerns with the psychologist directly. If you are not happy with the outcome you could consider contacting their employer or an appropriate third party.

Who does the British psychological Society consider to be a third party?

This may be the Health Professions Council, the employer or the member directly. With more serious complaints this may also be through the appropriate judiciary authorities, but this is a matter for you to decide.

The Psychologist I wish to complain about is not a member of the Health Professions Council but is a member of the British Psychological Society. How will you deal with my complaint?

You are advised to read our Member Conduct rules carefully. If you feel that the allegation you wish to present to the Society falls under one or more of the Member Conduct rules, you can submit a formal complaint. In order for the Society to be able to take any action you must provide the evidence required, as outlined in the procedures of the Member Conduct rules. The Society will then decide if the member has breached the rules, and decide on the appropriate action.

With the changes in statutory regulation, the Society no longer has a function to investigate complaints against its members, but can take action when the Society has evidence of the outcomes from any third party investigation.

Why can you not investigate my complaint?

As the Society does not have any statutory regulatory powers, it is not within the Society’s remit to investigate complaints against any of its members - the Society does not have any legal powers to investigate a complaint and would be acting outside of its jurisdiction if it was to do this.

Who can investigate my complaint if you are not able to do this?

Any investigation of a complaint should be conducted by an appropriate third party. However, once any outcomes from third party investigations have been reached, you should provide this information to the Society. The Society would then determine whether those outcomes provide sufficient evidence that the Member Conduct rules have been breached and take any action.

If the Health Professions Council is the statutory regulator for applied psychologists then why is the psychologist I wish to complain about not registered with them?

The Health Professions Council only regulate the following titles: Practitioner psychologist, Registered psychologist, Clinical psychologist, Counselling psychologist, Educational psychologist, Forensic psychologist, Health psychologist, Occupational psychologist and Sport and Exercise psychologist.

Individuals practicing as psychologists have up to 3 years from the introduction of statutory regulation to become registered with the HPC (deadline is July 2012). It is expected that most individuals practicing as psychologists will by that date be registered with the HPC.

Unfortunately a decision was taken by the authorities to not regulate the title ‘psychologist’. The Society acknowledges that there is a gap in the regulation of ‘psychologists’; however, the HPC is responsible for the statutory regulation of applied psychologists and you may wish to raise any concerns you have regarding this directly with them. The British psychological Society does not have any statutory powers to investigate complaints against any of its members, including those who are not registered with the HPC.

I am a member of the BPS and the HPC, the HPC is carrying out an investigation against me, what support can you provide?

The Society cannot provide any personal support or act on your behalf whilst under investigation by the HPC. The Society does promote the provision of professional indemnity insurance and has secured preferential rates for members. Members are also advised to check any legal provision covered within their policies, as this may help to provide you with some comfort of protection should you face any investigations. In addition, the Member Conduct rules and Code of Ethics and Conduct provide guidance and information for members. You may also be able to seek additional support from your Union or your employer.

Prior to statutory regulation, an investigation into an allegation against me was carried out by the BPS. Why has this matter which was closed, now been transferred to the HPC?

All complaints that were considered by the Society, prior to the introduction of statutory regulation were transferred to the HPC - even when the member against whom the complaint was made has not registered with the HPC. This is because the statutory regulator has the responsibility for regulating the profession and needs to be made aware of any complaints against psychologists. The HPC would then determine whether or not the individual and the complaint fell under their existing regulations and take any investigation or action that they deem necessary. The Society has to follow the legislation on these matters.