From Department of Health
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In September 2016, the Minister engaged in a formal consultation process in which interested persons and organisations were invited to formally submit their views on how the statutory regulation of the counsellors and psychotherapists should proceed. A total of 80 submissions were received by the closing date of 30th November 2016.
Following consideration of Minister Harris’s consultation with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) and the public consultation process the Minister now intends to proceed with the designation under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 of two distinct professions, counsellor and psychotherapist, each with its own register, under one registration board.
Department officials will commence work as soon as is practicable on the legislative and administrative arrangements required to designate the professions under the 2005 Act, establish the registration board and arrange for the appointment of its 13 board members (to be recruited through the Public Appointments Service) in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Once appointed, the registration board will give further consideration to a number of key issues pertaining to the regulation of the professions and will advise the Minister and the Council accordingly. Registration boards established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 can appoint sub-committees (which can include non-board members) or seek expert advice to assist in its work.
Appendices to the IACP Submission to the Department of Health in Response to the Proposed Regulation of Counsellors and Psychotherapists
