HCPC approve BASES Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route

BASES is delighted to confirm that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has now fully approved the new Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR). This means that individuals who successfully complete the SEPAR will be eligible to apply to the HCPC register for Practitioner Psychologist status. Given the delay in receiving approval from the HCPC, applications for the SEPAR will be accepted from January 2020 (1 Feb 2020 deadline).

In the meantime, all relevant documentation (Qualification Handbook, Application document, Candidate Handbook, Supervisor Handbook etc.) is available on the BASES website.

There will be a number of communications and information sharing forums over the coming months regarding the SEPAR, including webinar presentations and conference drop-in sessions. It is also worth noting that we are still liaising with the HCPC to facilitate easier access to the SEPAR for individuals who undertook non-disciplinary, pre-2007 MSc courses; and those who are able to evidence 'learned society/professional body' acknowledgement of their underpinning psychology knowledge (e.g., CPsychol status). We will keep members informed with progress on these ongoing discussions.

For BASES Accredited members and members currently undertaking the Supervised Experience scheme, there may be different pathways to joining the SEPAR and obtaining eligibility for registration with the HCPC. We have created a short guidance document which will assist in making decisions about which option is best for you.

BASES anticipates that the SEPAR will further evidence the association’s commitment to enhancing training and development activities for its members and the broader sport and exercise science field.

Interested in becoming a SEPAR Reviewer?

It is a requirement for all candidates to have two reviewers throughout their SEPAR journey. Reviewers will be required to assess candidates competence at the initial, mid and final stages of the SEPAR process and conduct a one-hour mid-point (virtual) meeting to discuss progress. Reviewers will receive payment for each assessment point. Although all reviewer information is outlined within the SEPAR Qualification Handbook, reviewers will need to fulfil the following criteria:

• Be registered with the HCPC as Sport and Exercise Psychologists
• Be BASES professional members
• Complete the necessary ‘SEPAR Reviewer training’ and attend the annual reviewer training
• Follow a supervisee through to the end of the SEPAR process.

If you are interested in becoming a SEPAR reviewer, please complete this short expression of interest form.

Interested in becoming a SEPAR Supervisor?

To ensure the success of the SEPAR, there will need to be a team of willing supervisors. Whilst all information relating to the supervisor process and responsibilities can be seen in the SEPAR Qualification Handbook and SEPAR Supervisor Handbook, supervisors will have to meet the following criteria:

• Be registered with the HCPC as Sport and Exercise Psychologists
• Be BASES professional members
• Complete the necessary ‘SEPAR Supervisor training’ and attend the annual supervisor training.

BASES are in the process of finalising the SEPAR Supervisor training, which will be via an on-line format. If you are interested in becoming a SEPAR Supervisor, please complete the brief Application form to become a SEPAR supervisor.

Interested in becoming a SEPAR External Examiner?

To meet the HCPC requirements for quality assurance monitoring, there will be two external examiners appointed to the SEPAR. The external examiners will need to hold registration as Practitioner Psychologists with the HCPC and be prepared to serve for an appointment period of four years (where there will be a requirement to submit one annual report and attend one committee meeting per year). It is preferred that the external examiner team will comprise one individual who fulfils an academic-practitioner role, with another who has an independent/self-employed practitioner role.

If you are interested in becoming a SEPAR external examiner, please express your interest to the SEPAR lead, Professor Richard Thelwell (richard.thelwell@port.ac.uk).