NHSE, BPS and BABCP joint statement

Both the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) have been recognised by NHS England as meeting the requirements to provide individual registration schemes for Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners (MHWP). 

This adds to existing schemes for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), Children's' Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs) and Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs). Practitioners will be able to choose whether to join the register with the BPS or the BABCP.

As a MHWP, PWP, CWP or EMHP, the registers are an important step forward in recognising your professions and set a requirement for continuing professional development (CPD). Joining one of the organisations providing these registers will give you access to tailored CPD for your role, a number of other member benefits, and will be at a lower cost than many comparable registers.

BABCP and BPS have worked together to develop individual registration schemes that align on mutually agreed standards. The registration requirements for both organisations have been designed to meet NHS England's specification as it and other UK organisations move to require such registration for practitioners. 

Both organisations' registers are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) and through this will afford protection to those accessing services provided by registrants. 

Both BABCP and BPS will launch their MHWP registers on 30 June 2025. It will be a requirement for all MHWPs working in NHS commissioned healthcare to be listed on one of these registers no later than by 30 June 2026.

The registration schemes are a significant step forward in quality assurance, public protection and professional recognition of these important occupations. The BPS and BABCP will hold a joint event/webinar – to be confirmed – once the registers are launched.