British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT)

Overview:

Profession(s): Play Therapy
Member Type(s): Play Therapists
Scope: National - United Kingdom
Formed: 1992
Registration No.: 5477406
Address: 1 Beacon Mews, South Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 9DZ, UK
Phone: 01932 828638
Fax: 01932 820100
Email: info@bapt.uk.com
Website: www.bapt.info

Description:

The first and foremost professional association for Play Therapy in the United Kingdom, the Association of Play Therapists was founded in 1992 (adding British to its title in 1996) by a group of now respected practitioners who introduced and pioneered Play Therapy within Britain.

The business of BAPT is managed by a democratically-elected Board of Directors, supported by the work of six sub-committees responsible for areas such as Training & Education, and Communications & Public Relations.

Mission/Aims:

The BAPT mission statement, formulated in June 2004, defines the Association’s purpose as being to:

Nurture, develop and advance the profession and application of Play Therapy through commitment to:
Raising public and professional awareness of the value of Play Therapy for enhancing the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people;
Promoting safe, ethical, effective practice of Play Therapy through high quality regulated training, monitored continuing professional development and evidence-based research;
Equal opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse population;
Maintenance of a strong professional association.

When BAPT was awarded charity status in 2006 the Charity’s Objects were redefined as:

To relieve the needs of children, young people and adults suffering emotional and behavioral difficulties by promoting the art and science of Play Therapy and promoting high standards in the practice of Play Therapy for the public benefit.

To fulfil this Mission Statement and Objects, the Association’s key aims are to:

Endeavour to protect the public against harmful conduct by members of all classes who are practising Play Therapy;
Promote and develop standards of training and practice;
Promote study and research in the field and practice of Play Therapy;
Encourage the sharing of information, experience and skills;
Maintain the highest levels of professional conduct by members of all classes who are practising Play Therapy;
Provide a national and regional resource for its members.

Principal Activities:

Stimulating an active interest in the development of Play Therapy (including attendance at relevant exhibitions & conferences and a proactive/reactive media profile).

Providing an understanding and awareness of Play Therapy (including the publication of various leaflets & information brochures for different target audiences).

Providing a support network for Play Therapists.

Providing information on specialised training courses.

Providing criteria and guidelines for the accreditation and re-accreditation of training courses, ensuring that standards required by training courses meet the criteria for Full membership of the Association.

Maintaining a membership list ('The British Register of Play Therapists') and an online directory of Full members who elect for inclusion.

Working with the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure that all Full members have an up-to-date clear police check.

Compiling a list of members approved by the Board of Directors to offer clinical supervision.

Distributing a quarterly members’ magazine.

Providing an informative website.

Publishing an annual academic Journal (The British Journal of Play Therapy).

Organising conferences and promoting training events on issues relating to Play Therapy.

Providing an Ethical Framework and a Code of Practice.

Providing a Complaints Procedure that governs the professional conduct and practice of members who are practising Play Therapy.

Holding an Annual General Meeting and Conference.

Maintaining liaison with other professional groups involved in working with children.

Offering a forum for the discussion of professional issues.

Working towards state registration of the Play Therapy profession within the Health Professions Council, for the protection of service users and the public.

Member Benefits:

A photo-identity membership card and access to Play Therapy employment opportunities. Full members may have their name included on the British Register of Play Therapists which is made available to people or organisations seeking a qualified Play Therapist.

A welcome membership pack (including the regularly updated folder of documents: ‘The Guide to Play Therapy’, and sample copies of all BAPT leaflets).

Free subscription to the quarterly Magazine: ‘Play Therapy’, which offers members' articles, book reviews, Board updates, notification of forthcoming courses, and other relevant current information. The magazine also occasionally offers negotiated discounted prices on relevant books and toys.

Free subscription to the annual British Journal of Play Therapy.

Reduced subscription to the International Journal of Play Therapy.

Reduced fees for the BAPT annual conference.

10% discount on many BAPT publications.

Access to the website Members’ area which includes a regularly-updated news page for the profession, a discussion forum and members' offers.

Voting rights at the AGM and entitlement to stand for election on to the Board of Directors.

Access to BAPT Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training courses.

Training/Licensing/Certification:

BAPT currently accredits post-graduate training courses in Play Therapy at four universities: Liverpool Hope University College, Notre Dame Glasgow (in association with the University of Strathclyde), University of York (which also runs its course at a venue in Cork, Ireland) and Roehampton, University of Surrey.

These accredited professional training programmes are at post-graduate Diploma, Masters and PhD level and successful completion provides entitlement to Full BAPT membership and a qualification to practise as a Play Therapist.

Affiliations:

Partner Associations:
American Play Therapy Association (APT)

Verification Criteria:

BAPT Full Membership - this indicates they have met all the approved criteria i.e. successful completion of one of the BAPT-accredited training qualifications (which includes the requirement for personal therapy), a clear up-to-date CRB check, appropriate levels of clinical supervision of their practice and a commitment to abide by the BAPT Code of Ethics and Practice. Only BAPT Full members are therefore covered by the Complaints Procedure.

Additional Information:

BAPT also now has a route to Full membership for those Play Therapists working within the UK who have obtained an equivalent training qualification outside the UK and who meet other eligibility criteria.