Join BAPT
Why make BAPT your professional organisation?
Assurance of your professionalism is now essential for those of you who work within the United Kingdom. We are the UK’s first and foremost Play Therapy organisation; currently representing over 400 individuals interests, Full Members, Students and Associates of BAPT , both nationally and within the international arena. By choosing BAPT you will be demonstrating to professionals and the general public that you practise responsibly and professionally to high standards.
On joining BAPT you will benefit from our professional support, not only from BAPT’s carefully developed service, but also from our professional staff, volunteers and your fellow BAPT members. As a part of the UK’s leading voice for Play Therapy, you will also find yourself with a valuable opportunity to influence the future of the Play Therapy profession.
BAPT’s work is defined by our members. We listen to our members’ views and we act on them, encouraging members to enter into dialogue with BAPT. BAPT encourages its members to participate in shaping the short-term and long-term goals of their own organisation.
BAPT recognises the variety of theoretical approaches within Play Therapy and so BAPT is proficient in nurturing a diverse group of people and therapeutic styles within a common frame whilst pursuing the goal of professional development. We are committed to supporting and encouraging all our members to grow and develop as professional practitioners.
Wouldn’t you like to practise knowing that your professional registration protects you?
BAPT is proud of its high standards, good reputation and its wide range of products and services. We hope that you will take advantage of all that BAPT has to offer, from training information right through to individual registration and further continuing professional development.
The Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register programme was set up to provide assurance on the standards of registers of unregulated health and care occupations. Being accredited by the Authority offers enhanced protection to anyone looking for Play Therapy services – people now have the option of seeking practitioners on a register that has been vetted and approved.
Accreditation offers practitioners working in Play Therapy a means of demonstrating their personal commitment to meeting high standards by joining BAPT or another accredited register.
Accreditation means that BAPT has met the Authority’s demanding standards in the following areas: governance, setting standards, education and training, managing the register, providing information and complaints handling.
BAPT needed to provide evidence and demonstrate to the Authority that it meets the Accreditation Standards. Accreditation will be reviewed annually. Being accredited means that BAPT has satisfied the Authority that it meets its high standards. It is a mark of quality.
Accreditation does not imply that the Authority has itself assessed the merits of individuals on the BAPT register. It remains the responsibility of BAPT to do that. BAPT will require its registrants to meet high standards of personal behaviour, technical competence and, where applicable, business practice.
Accreditation does not imply that the Authority has endorsed the efficacy of a treatment or therapy practised or any other service offered by registrants on the BAPT register.
Accredited Registration is different from statutory regulation because it is voluntary, not compulsory. Practitioners can work in Play Therapy without being on a register.
Registers accredited by the Authority will encompass a wide range of occupations and organisations holding registers. The Authority may accredit more than one register in any particular occupation.
Accredited Registers will be entitled to use the Authority’s accreditation mark so that they can be distinguished easily.
The quality mark will give extra peace of mind for anyone looking for a Play Therapist, letting them know that anyone who holds the mark is committed to the high standards of BAPT.
All Accredited Registers can be accessed through the Professional Standards Authority’s website.
This programme applies to the health sector in the UK and to social care in England.
The title Accredited Registers provides simplicity and clarity for consumers and registrants alike, and reflects feedback we have received. The purpose, principles and practice of the programme are focused on providing users of a range of healthcare services and occupations with assurance and consumer protection.
Full members have access to BAPT Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training courses.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the sub-committees, the professional staff and all others who make the work of BAPT possible, we offer you a very warm welcome! Please join us, become involved and take advantage of a membership that can truly benefit you and your profession.
Benefits of BAPT Membership
Newsletters
- Free subscription to British Journal of Play Therapy (annually – Associates need to add this to their Membership at reduced rate)
- A regular e-newsletter
Reduced BAPT Annual Conference Fee
- Free Membership Pack, including the regularly-updated folder of documents ‘The Guide to Play Therapy’ and sample copies of all BAPT leaflets
10% discount on key BAPT publications
- Access to occasional discounts and offers negotiated with relevant suppliers (books,toys etc)
Access to the BAPT website members’ area (Not applicable to Associate Members)
- Access to current debates and issues surrounding Play Therapy
- Free registration into British Register of Play Therapists (Full Members only) – see above
Access to Professional Play Therapy Community
- Access to Good Practice Frameworks (BAPT Ethical Basis for Good Practice in Play Therapy)
- Afford safety to the Public (BAPT Complaints Procedure & part of the PSA Accredited BAPT Register)
- Photo Identity Membership Card (Full & Student Members only)
- Increased Professional Status
- Access to Research Community
- Access to Play Therapy Employment Opportunities (Full Members only)
(NB some of these benefits also apply to Associates – see below)
How to join BAPT
You can join BAPT by downloading and completing the membership forms (see below) and returning the forms and any documents (Scanned DBS and insurance policy) via Email to info@bapt.uk.com. PLEASE DO NOT POST APPLICATIONS AND DOCUMENTS.
- FULL MEMBERS – £160
- ASSOCIATES – £55 (£65 to include subscription the the British journal of Play Therapy)
- STUDENTS – £38
- RETIRED – £35
- PORTFOLIO – £260 (£100 administrative fee and £160 full membership fee)
In addition a £10 administrative fee applies to all new applications. Our Membership year runs from 1st October to 30th September for ALL categories of membership. Individuals whose new applications are processed after April 1st in any year are eligible for discounts of 50%.
BAPT Membership categories
You may join BAPT either as a Member (Full, Student or Retired) or as an Associate. Please select by carefully reading the information on each category. All Membership applicants must agree to abide by the BAPT Ethical Basis for Good Practice in Play Therapy and are subject to the Complaints Procedure therein. This does not apply to Associates who are not covered by these policies.
The BAPT membership year runs from 1st October to 30th September annually. You may join at anytime during the year, Fees are adjusted for those joining later than 1/2 way through the membership year.
Full Member
Full Membership is open to any person who fulfills the criteria for membership – i.e they have successfully completed a play therapy qualification on one of the BAPT accredited Qualifying programmes or have successfully completed the BAPT portfolio route*. On application members must identify who will provide their clinical supervision and provide evidence of valid current Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance and an up do date DBS clearance.
Full members have the right to vote at the AGM and to stand for election on to the Board of Directors. Full members receive a photo-identity membership card and access to Play Therapy employment opportunities. Names of all full members will appear on the online BAPT’s Professional Standards Agency Accredited Register of Play Therapists which will enable members of the public to ensure that their therapists are appropriately qualified.
Full Members can also request to have their name and contact details listed on the Find a Therapist listing of Play Therapists available for private work, which is made available to people and organisations seeking a qualified Play Therapist.
Application form – baptmembershipformFULL 2023/24
Students upgrading to Full Membership – please complete an NQT Full member application form baptmembershipformFULL ex Student-and see the Frequently asked questions below
Recognising that starting work as a Qualified Play Therapist is likely to incur some additional costs, and to reflect on the hard work that you will have completed in order to Qualify, we are offering the first year of Full membership post Qualification at a reduced fee of £110 to those who have been BAPT Student Members.
Portfolio Route
The Portfolio Route is now accessible for Overseas-Trained applicants working in the UK and for Qualified Play Therapists who trained outside of BAPT Courses in the UK. Information about completing a portfolio application can be by clicking the following link – Joining BAPT – Portfolio info
Applicants able to demonstrate they meet the rigorous criteria and who hold a Qualification as a Play Therapist may be awarded Membership by completion of a Portfolio Membership Application form and a fully completed Portfolio Log. The multiple components of this portfolio route are explicitly mapped onto the core professional and personal competences of a play therapist as defined by BAPT. The portfolio represents the equivalence of the information a student on a BAPT-accredited Master’s course is expected to evidence in their Competence Log, the final substantial submission at the culmination of their clinical training, thus the portfolio log is expected to be completed in a similar manor with multiple referencing to any documentation sent with the application. The portfolio is thus intended to ascertain parity of professional standard to that of an applicant who has successfully completed a BAPT accredited Play Therapy training programme.
Membership is subject to evidence that the applicant’s professional training qualification and practice are of an equivalent standard to that expected from BAPT trained Therapists. See comprehensive details on the Portfolio Application Log and the Full Member – portfolio application form. Overseas trained applicants will also need to arrange enic equivalency certificate https://www.enic.org.uk/
Further information about completing the application form and advice from someone who has completed the process is available here Joining BAPT – Portfolio info
All portfolio applicants will need to complete a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their ability to address the Play Therapy Core Competences –including Core Competences 14 -Utilisation of personal therapy and support for development. Additional evidence may include case study material, personal references from therapist and supervisor, confirmation of therapy hours etc. and would include evidence of sufficient Personal Therapy having been undertaken and that other key criteria are met, and must be referenced to the application log.
The following ratios will be used as a guide for the minimum amount of personal therapy required, according to the level of post qualifying experience. This requirement reflects the importance which BAPT attaches to personal therapy as a core element of therapeutic training for all members.
- 0 – 2 years – evidence of 60 hours personal therapy, with confirmation from therapist
- 2 – 5 years – evidence of 30 hours personal therapy, with confirmation from therapist.
- 5 years plus – evidence of 15 hours personal therapy with confirmation from therapist.
Applicants will also need to submit a Reflective account to demonstrate how their experience of personal therapy has impacted their professional practice as a Play Therapist.
Applicants should submit a personal statement from their therapist confirming there is no known reason why the applicant should not practice as a Play Therapist with vulnerable children. BAPT will seek confirmation of this statement. If, for any reason, the therapist is not contactable the Panel will use its discretion regarding personal therapy and judgement of risk.
The final decision to offer membership of BAPT on the basis of the application will be made by the Portfolio Panel on the entire portfolio of evidence submitted by the applicant.
You can join BAPT by downloading and completing the membership forms (see below) and returning the forms and any documents (Scanned DBS and insurance policy) via Email to info@bapt.uk.com.
PLEASE DO NOT POST APPLICATIONS AND DOCUMENTS.
Application forms –
- Application Form – FULL portfolio Application 2023/24
- Log to be completed – Portfolio Log for completion fillable and saveable updated
- NARIC Requirements for Overseas PORTFOLIO applicants
- Information sheet/FAQ’s Joining BAPT – Portfolio info
Student Member
This category, at a reduced subscription than Full membership, is open to any person who is registered on an accredited BAPT training programme.
Application form – baptmembershipformSTUDENT2023/24
Graduating Students – NQT’s
Firstly Congratulations! In order to join BAPT and be registered with us as a Newly Qualified Play Therapist you will need to upgrade from a Student to a Full member by completing a NQT application form.
Application form – baptmembershipformFULL NQT– and see see the Frequently asked questions below.
Retired Full Member
This category is open to BAPT Full Members who have retired from all paid work, and also those who have retired from direct work with children but who are still available to offer Supervison. Retired members offering Supervision will be subject to requirements of approved Supervisors, please refer to supervision page for information.
Retired Members enjoy the majority of benefits that Full members have, but are not included on the Register of Qualified Play Therapists. Retired full members remain able to vote at the AGM.
Application form: baptmembershipformRETIRED 2023/24
Associate
Any person or organisation interested in the field of Play Therapy may apply to become an Associate of the British Association of Play Therapists. Associates receive:
- A welcome pack including ‘The Guide to Play Therapy’ and sample copies of all BAPT leaflets
- Free subscription to the BAPT E-Newsletter
- Reduced fees for the BAPT annual conference
- a 1/3 discount on the subscription to ‘The British Journal of Play Therapy’
Application form – baptASSOCIATE2023/24
Approved Supervisor
Applications to become an Approved BAPT Supervisor are welcome from Qualified Play Therapist’s who are part of a PSA accredited register, with a minimum of 3 years post qualifying clinical practice experience. Please complete the form electronically and send to the BAPT office.
Application form – BAPTSupervisionForm-September2023/24
Other Forms:
DBS information -All Full & Student Members of BAPT are expected to have a enhanced DBS check for their Play Therapy work. For Full members who are in private practice, details of how to obtain a DBS/PVG as an individual are available here http://www.charitybackroom.org.uk/crb-checks-for-individuals-and-the-self-employed”
Other organisations that offer individual DBS appplications are also available – just type DBS for individuals or PVG for individuals into your search engine.
Alternatively, please contact BAPT info@bapt.uk.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Appeal against Unsuccessful Membership Applications:
If your application for Membership of BAPT is unsuccessful, you have the right to appeal against this decision. There are two grounds on which you can appeal:
- That the application procedure has not been correctly followed
- The application has not been fairly and properly assessed against the membership criteria
Disagreement with the decision or new information that you want to submit are not grounds for appeal.
How to appeal:
- You must send your appeal within two months of the date of the letter informing you that you were unsuccessful
- You should send your appeal in writing to the Chair of BAPT
- You should tell us why you are appealing (on which grounds)
- We cannot accept letters from third parties, such as your supervisor or line manager
What happens next:
- We will acknowledge receipt of your appeal letter
- Your appeal letter and all relevant documentation will be reviewed by an Appeals Assessor. This Assessor will be a BAPT Registered Member who is not a member of the Board and has been trained for this purpose. They will review the Document and make a decision as to whether the original decision was appropriate or not.
- They will then advise the BAPT Board of the outcome and we will then forward you their findings along with a copy of their report.
- The decision of the Appeals assessor is final.
- If your appeal is unsuccessful, you can still apply for Membership again, but you will have to wait until 12 months from the date of letter telling you that your Appeal was unsuccessful. If you send your application in before this date, we will return it to you. If you do apply again, remember to tell us about this on the application form and send copies of any letters requested. This will be treated as an entirely new application.
Further Information
For further general information and enquiries relating to BAPT membership, please contact BAPT.
If you have any issues with your membership please contact the membership secretary via applications@bapt.uk.com