Executive Summary
The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) has undertaken a comprehensive review of its Complaints, Declarations and Disciplinary Procedure. The revised Procedure will come into effect on 17 June 2026 and reflects BABCP’s ongoing commitment to public protection, maintaining public confidence in the profession and BABCP, and upholding high professional standards.
The revised Procedure has been developed to align with the expectations of the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA), contemporary right-touch regulation approach, learning arising from operational experience, and stakeholder feedback.
The revised Procedure represents a significant update to BABCP’s complaints, declarations, and disciplinary framework. The changes are intended to improve clarity, consistency, proportionality, transparency, and public protection through clearer assessment and decision-making stages, earlier and more proportionate resolution pathways, while also ensuring that Members are treated fairly and supported appropriately throughout the process.
Equality, equality, diversity and inclusion
Consistent with BABCP’s wider commitment to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (EEDI), the revised Procedure seeks to promote fair, accessible, and transparent decision-making, with appropriate regard to the differing circumstances, needs, vulnerabilities, lived experiences, and protected characteristics of those involved in proceedings. The revised Procedure also supports BABCP’s ongoing work to embed EEDI principles throughout its organisational culture, policies, working practices, and engagement with Members, the public, and other stakeholders.
Key developments
Clearer procedural and decision-making stages (sections 1, 5)
The revised Procedure now more clearly sets out the key stages of the complaints process, the applicable tests, and the role and function of each Panel involved in decision-making. Section 1(h) introduces a clearer distinction between the Acknowledgment Stage, the Information Gathering Stage, the Triage Stage, the Screening Panel Stage, and the Hearing/Health Panel Stage. The revised Procedure also more clearly separates the role of Panels responsible for screening and case progression, interim risk management, factual determination and sanctions, appeals, and restoration applications. Section 5 further clarifies the role and powers of the Screening Panel, Emergency Suspension Panel, Interim Orders Panel, Hearing/Health Panel, Appeal Panel, and Restoration Panel.
Proceedings following resignation or lapse of membership (section 9)
The revised Procedure clarifies that BABCP may continue to progress complaints or declarations even where a Member resigns, allows their membership or registration to lapse, or ceases practice during proceedings. This is intended to prevent concerns from remaining unresolved solely because a Member resigns during proceedings and to ensure that relevant findings may still be considered in any future application for BABCP membership or registration.
Professional candour, cooperation, and declarations (section 9)
The revised Procedure provides clearer guidance regarding Members’ obligations to cooperate with BABCP processes and to declare relevant matters, including criminal investigations criminal investigations, cautions, or convictions, disciplinary proceedings, sanctions, and relevant health concerns where these may affect professional practice, public protection, or confidence in the profession and BABCP.
Greater flexibility and proportionality in resolving concerns (sections 19, 20)
The revised Procedure expands and clarifies the use of Letters of Guidance, Letters of Warning, Consensual Disposal Mechanisms (CDM), and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as proportionate alternatives to a formal hearing where appropriate. The revised Procedure also clarifies that Members must agree that the relevant facts or summary of concerns provide a sufficiently accurate reflection of the matters giving rise to the complaint. This does not require Members to make a formal admission of legal liability beyond the scope of the Procedure.
Strengthened public protection measures (sections 21-23)
The revised Procedure further clarifies and strengthens the framework relating to Interim Suspension Orders and Emergency Suspension Orders and introduces Interim Conditions Orders as an additional interim measure available to Panels as interim risk management measures where concerns require ongoing monitoring while proceedings are ongoing. The revised Procedure also introduces clearer publication provisions and information-sharing arrangements with relevant regulators and organisations where appropriate.
Improved sanctions framework, compliance monitoring and quality assurance (section 32-33)
Section 32 introduces a more structured sanctions framework, including clearer objectives, measurable and reviewable requirements, and improved compliance monitoring arrangements. Section 33 further clarifies and strengthens the quality assurance process relating to sanctions imposed by Hearing/Health Panels.
Appeals framework (section 36)
The appeals framework has been revised to provide a clearer and more structured process for appeals. The revised section clarifies the grounds upon which an appeal may be brought, the powers of the Appeal Panel, and the process for determining appeals, providing greater clarity regarding appeal rights and outcomes.
Enhanced restoration framework (section 37)
Section 37 introduces a clearer and more transparent framework for restoration applications following expulsion from the CBT Register and/or BABCP membership, including clearer eligibility criteria, remediation expectations, and restoration requirements.
Publication and transparency (section 40)
Section 40 introduces a clearer and more proportionate publication framework, including clearer guidance regarding when outcomes may be published, when initials or full names may be used, and the factors Panels must consider when balancing transparency, confidentiality, safeguarding, privacy, and public protection considerations.
Key changes
| Change | Summary of Revision | Rationale for Change | What This Means for Members |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints process structure (section 1(h)) | Introduction of distinct Information Gathering, Triage, Screening, and Hearing/Health Panel stages and clearer distinction between applicable legal tests. | To improve clarity, consistency, and transparency regarding assessment and decision-making stages. | Members will benefit from clearer decision-making stages and applicable thresholds. |
| Declarations framework (section 9) | Improved framework for self-declarations involving criminal matters, health concerns, disciplinary proceedings, and other relevant issues. | To support more proportionate and transparent assessment of declarations, including consideration of remediation, context, and time elapsed. | Historic, remedied, or contextual concerns may now be considered more explicitly and proportionately. |
| Alternative resolution options (sections 19-20) | Expansion and clarification of Letters of Guidance, Letters of Warning, Consensual Disposal Mechanisms (CDM), and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as alternatives to formal hearings where appropriate. The revised Procedure also clarifies that, before a consensual outcome may be agreed, the Member must agree that the relevant facts or summary of concerns provide a sufficiently accurate reflection of the matters giving rise to the complaint. | To support earlier, more proportionate, and less adversarial resolution of concerns, while ensuring that consensual outcomes are based on a clear and agreed understanding of the relevant concerns. | Some concerns may now be resolved earlier and without the need for a formal hearing where appropriate. Members will also benefit from clearer guidance regarding the basis upon which consensual outcomes may be agreed. |
| Interim measures (sections 21–23) | Further clarification of Interim Suspension Orders and Emergency Suspension Orders, and introduction of Interim Conditions Orders. | To provide clearer and more proportionate interim risk management options. | Members may now be subject to conditions or restrictions where suspension is not considered necessary or proportionate. |
| Sanctions framework and quality assurance (sections 32–33) | The revised Procedure introduces a more structured sanctions framework, including clearer objectives, measurable requirements, improved monitoring arrangements, and a strengthened quality assurance review process for sanctions imposed by Hearing/Health Panels. | To improve consistency, enforceability, clarity, and public protection, including improved oversight of sanctions, conditions, and restrictions imposed under the Procedure. | Members subject to sanctions will benefit from clearer expectations regarding compliance, monitoring, review arrangements, and more consistent and workable sanctions, conditions, and restrictions. |
| Appeals framework (section 36) | Clearer structure regarding the role of the Appeal Panel and appealable decisions. | To improve transparency and procedural clarity regarding appeal rights and processes. | Members will have clearer information regarding appeal rights, appeal grounds, and appeal processes. |
| Restoration framework (section 37) | The revised Procedure introduces clearer guidance regarding eligibility criteria, remediation expectations, applicable waiting periods, and the restoration application process following expulsion from the CBT Register and/or BABCP membership. | To improve transparency, consistency, proportionality, and fairness in restoration decision-making, while ensuring appropriate public protection safeguards following expulsion. | Members seeking restoration will benefit from clearer guidance regarding eligibility, applicable waiting periods, evidence of remediation and insight, and the factors the Restoration Panel will consider when determining applications. |
New procedural timescales
BABCP will seek to progress complaints and proceedings under this Procedure as promptly as reasonably practicable. The revised Procedure introduces clearer indicative timescales and review periods to improve transparency, consistency, and case management, while recognising that the complexity, seriousness, and circumstances of individual cases may vary.
BABCP will seek to progress matters as promptly as reasonably practicable, balancing the need for efficient resolution with the need to:
- protect the public;
- maintain public confidence in the profession and BABCP;
- uphold professional standards;
- ensure procedural fairness; and
- allow sufficient time for appropriate information gathering, responses, risk assessment, and Panel consideration.
The timescales set out in the Procedure are intended to provide guidance and structure to the process. However, BABCP may depart from those timescales where it considers this necessary, reasonable, and proportionate in the circumstances of the case.
| Stage / Provision | Indicative timescale |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement of complaint | Within ten working days of receipt, where practicable |
| Information Gathering and Triage | Usually completed within six months of receipt of the complaint |
| Emergency Suspension Order | Immediate effect; suspension may last up to 60 calendar days (two months) and cannot be extended |
| Interim Suspension Order | Usually up to 12 months |
| Interim Conditions Order | No fixed maximum period |
| Screening Panel | Within six months of the triage decision |
| Hearing/Health Panel | Within 12 months of the complaint being referred by the Screening Panel |
| Appeal against Panel decision | Within 30 days of the written decision |
| Suspension sanction | Maximum of 18 months |
| Application for restoration following expulsion | Usually no earlier than five years after expulsion, unless otherwise directed |
What happens next?
- The revised Procedure will come into effect on 17 June 2026
- The updated Procedure will apply to all new complaints received from 17 June 2026 and to ongoing complaints being managed by BABCP or a Panel after that date
- Members will have an opportunity to meet the Complaints and Resolution Team at the 2026 BABCP Annual Conference
- BABCP will hold a webinar for members to explain the changes, answer questions, and provide information about available support, including confidential wellbeing support provided in partnership with CIC Wellbeing
Further information
Further information and access to the revised Procedure is available on the BABCP website:
BABCP Standards of Conduct, Performance, and Ethics
Confidential Wellbeing Support for Complainants
Confidential Wellbeing Support for Members
BABCP Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Any questions regarding the revised Procedure can be directed to the Complaints and Resolution Team:
Email: complaints@babcp.com
Telephone: 0330 320 0851 (9am–5pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays)
Post: British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, Imperial House, Hornby Street, Bury, BL9 5BN
Confidential wellbeing support
BABCP recognises that being involved in a complaints process, whether as a complainant or as a member responding to a concern, can be challenging, distressing, or emotionally demanding. To ensure that individuals are appropriately supported, BABCP has partnered with CiC Wellbeing, a confidential wellbeing support service.
BABCP Members can book a 50-minute professional support session, which offers a confidential space to process the emotional impact of the complaint and the complaints process, and be signposted to relevant resources. Find out more
Complainants can book a 30-minute wellbeing check-in session, which offers a compassionate space to reflect on the emotional impact of the complaints process. Find out more
