Introduction This scheme has been agreed after consultation with the membership during 2005/6. It is modelled on that of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy [BACP]. It is intended to ensure that infertility counsellors are properly accredited for the specialist work in which they are engaged, and that all practising infertility counsellors will eventually be required by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to be accredited under this scheme. The provisions of this scheme alongside the BICA Guidelines for Good Practice for Infertility Counselling, will inform standards being developed under the EU Tissue Directive by the UK Assisted Conception Standards Working Group of the HFEA. It will also inform the work being done by UKCP and BACP under the auspices of the Department of Health in preparation for the regulation of counsellors under the Health Professions Council [HPC]. It is hoped that the implementation of this scheme will enable infertility counselling to lead the way in ensuring high quality, accredited standards of professional practice fully accountable to clients and their stakeholders in the field of assisted conception services.

An important part of the context is that we are attempting to achieve a solution which fully acknowledges the skills, accreditation and experience of established infertility counsellors. We wish to ensure the maintenance and encouragement of the highest standards in this specialist area, including a professional development route which acknowledges seniority and special expertise, and does not devalue either BACP or other counselling accreditation and cements the value of the Infertility Counselling Award.

The title ‘counselling’ is used in this document in line with the terms of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act and Code of Practice, whilst recognising that some will use the title ‘psychotherapy’. Once counselling and psychotherapy become protected titles [probably from 2007/8] counsellors will be required to become members of the Health Professions Council to use the title and practice as counsellors or psychotherapists. It is likely that a Voluntary Register, probably managed jointly by BACP and UKCP will precede full registration with the HPC. Currently the HPC intends to register the two titles together and not recognise a distinction between them, but accepts that beyond this title, there are many specialisms which will wish to identify themselves separately, and establish their own additional requirements beyond the statutory minimum. BICA expects infertility counselling to be one of these specialisms. These specialisms will not enjoy separate regulation by the HPC. The term ‘counselling’ will be used here for infertility counsellors, although it is recognised that some counsellors choose to use the title psychotherapist, and this issue remains unresolved at present. In BICA’s context counselling seems to be the appropriate title for the present.

An important aspect of accreditation from BICA’s point of view, is the encouragement and support it gives to infertility counsellors when seeking support from their employers in accessing appropriate training and continuing professional development in order to maintain and enhance their skills.

The Executive Committee of BICA has agreed this policy on accreditation. Work will continue in developing the associated procedures and regulations for the policy to be put into effect.

Accreddited Membership Categories

The following categories of membership and accreditation have been agreed.
Associate Member
Associate members are those who are:
either engaged on study, research or education in infertility counselling
or are patients, belong to support or advisory groups or have other compatible interests
or are members of the public wishing to support our work
or students in training to become counsellors
and such members accept the aims and objectives of BICA
and [if professional members] adhere to an acceptable code of ethics and BICA’s complaints and other policies and procedures in so far as they apply to their situation
and remain in full membership of BICA, accepting all the rules of membership

Member of BICA

Members are those who are counsellors who have completed a 1 year full-time, or 2 year part-time [or at least the equivalent] counselling and/or psychotherapy qualification including a supervised placement., but are not yet eligible for accreditation as they have yet to complete the BICA requirements; however they are required to do so within 2 years of gaining membership:
and accept the aims and objectives of BICA
and adhere to an acceptable code of ethics and BICA’s complaints and other policies and procedures
and receive counselling supervision [if undertaking practice]
and remain in full membership of BICA, accepting all the rules of membership

Accredited Member of BICA

These criteria apply to all those engaged in counselling practice in assisted conception with individuals, couples, groups and families. All these minimum criteria must be met:
1. BICA - is a Member of BICA
and undertakes to remain in full membership for the accreditation period, accepting all the rules of membership
and undertakes to meet the current requirements for the maintenance of accreditation including adherence to code of ethics, acceptance of complaints procedure, equal opportunities policy and executor/fitness to practice policy, and all other such policies or procedures which shall be introduced and made mandatory during the period of accreditation
2. Insurance - is covered by professional indemnity insurance.
3. Practice - is in infertility counselling practice at the time of application.
4. Supervision - has a contract for counselling supervision for a minimum of one and a half hours per month for each month in which practice is undertaken.
5. Continuing Professional Development
Statement of commitment to maintain accreditation by maintenance of a practice diary which details a minimum of 30 hours CPD activity in each year [as defined in the BACP accreditation scheme]. A minimum of 10 hours of this activity should relate directly to infertility counselling practice.
6. Recognised Accreditation OR Training and supervised practice - meets one of the following criteria concerning accreditation or experience in counselling:
EITHER
6.1 ‘Grandparent’ Route [available until 2007]