FAQs: Background to Statutory Regulation

What is statutory regulation?

Statutory regulation exists to ensure standards of practice by regulated practitioners and to protect the public as far as possible against the risk of poor practice. It works by setting agreed standards of practice and competence, by registering those who are competent to practice and restricting the use of specified (protected) titles to those who are registered. It can also apply sanctions such as removing from the register any practitioner whose fitness to practice is impaired.

Why is statutory regulation being introduced?

Statutory regulation of psychologists is a stronger form of regulation than the current voluntary system and is therefore potentially a better means of protecting the public. The Society has argued for a long time that a statutory system is necessary to protect the public from charlatans and poor practice.

When will statutory regulation be introduced?

When will statutory regulation be introduced? The government has indicated that the earliest date that psychologists could be regulated via the HPC is now 1 July 2009. We are awaiting further details.