FAQs: The role of the Society

What happened to the proposal for a Psychological Professions Council?

The Society together with a number of partner organisations proposed a separate registration council for psychologists and other providers of psychological services. However the government has made it clear that it was not prepared to countenance this proposal. Thus the government’s policy is that statutory regulation of psychologists by the Health Professions Council (HPC) is the only option they will support.

Does the Society support the government’s proposal?

The Society has argued for over two years that the public need better protection than will be afforded by the current proposals as many practitioners are likely to be left out of regulation - the Society’s position is that the government should have simply protected the title ‘psychologist’ as this would have been comprehensive and less confusing for the public. However the government have not accepted this argument.

Why should I remain a member of the Society if I have to register with Health Professions Council?

The Society is the professional body responsible for developing and supporting the discipline of psychology and disseminating psychological knowledge to the public and policy makers. Its role as the keeper of a voluntary register is just one part of its functions: it is still the key professional of body for psychology and psychologists, with numerous benefits of membership.

The Health Professions Council (HPC) is only a regulator, with the role of ensuring that the public is protected from exposure to bad professional practice. The HPC will do nothing to further the discipline and practice of psychology; it will not help psychologists develop their competencies and careers and it will not provide a professional network. That is the role and value of the British Psychological Society.