ANNUAL RENEWAL OF COSCA ACCREDITATION
COUNSELLORS AND PSYCHOTHERAPISTS
CONTENTS
SECTION A: INTRODUCTION
Background
Summary of Process
What happens to my submitted application?
How do I submit my application?
What if I take a break from practising as a counsellor/psychotherapist?
SECTION B: APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1
Applicant’s Personal Details
2
Practice
3
Insurance
4
Supervision
5
Continuing Professional Development
6
Ethics
APPENDICES:
Appendix A: Applicant’s Personal Details, Disclosure & Declaration
Appendix B: Counselling/Psychotherapy Statement
Appendix C: Continuing Professional Development
Appendix D: Supervisor’s Report
18 July 2011
Page 2
SECTION A:
INTRODUCTION
Background
In line with the COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland) commitment to
developing and maintaining standards of practice in counselling in Scotland, there is a
requirement that COSCA accredited counsellors give evidence of containing professional
development and supervision. The process is underpinned by the COSCA Statement of
Ethics and Code of Practice.
It is recognised that the COSCA Accreditation process is the means by which the practitioner
has demonstrated professional competence. Maintenance of accreditation requires annual
evidencing of continuing professional development and supervision of practice.
Summary of process
You need to submit evidence of the following on an annual basis:




Practice hours over the past 12 months
Hours of supervision over the past 12 months
Continuing professional development
Current membership of COSCA
What happens to my submitted application?
1.
Annual renewals for accreditation will be checked by COSCA
2.
COSCA will compare the documentation against the criteria set. Annual renewals
should be such that COSCA can say, on the basis of what has been submitted that the
applicant has provided sufficient evidence to maintain their accredited status.
3.
If the annual renewal does not meet the criteria set out in this document COSCA will
give details of where an application fails to meet the criteria.
4.
The Chief Executive of COSCA will inform applicants in writing of the outcome.
How do I submit my application?
1.
Two copies of all applications for renewal must be submitted to COSCA, 16 Melville
Terrace, Stirling FK8 2NE, and be accompanied by the renewal fee. See COSCA’s
website (www.cosca.org.uk) for current fee. Applicants should keep a copy of their
application.
All applications need to be clearly presented, preferably word processed/typed.
18 July 2011
Page 3
2.
Submission dates are twice yearly: the last working days of March and September.
Applications arriving at the COSCA office later than these dates will have to wait until
the following round.
What if I take a break from practising as a counsellor/psychotherapist?

Breaks between 6 months and 5 years:
COSCA accredited counsellors/psychotherapists who take a break from practising as
a counsellor/psychotherapist for more than 6 months but less than 5 years, and who
wish to renew their counsellor accreditation can apply for annual renewal by
submitting the evidence required in paragraph 2.4 in Section B of this document.

Breaks over 5 years:
COSCA accredited counsellors/psychotherapists who take a break from practising as
a counsellor/psychotherapist for more than 5 years and then decide to return to
practising as a counsellor/psychotherapist can apply for re-accreditation by submitting
the evidence required in paragraph 2.4 in Section B of this document.
What if I have been practising for more than eight years post accreditation?
For COSCA Accredited counsellors/psychotherapists who have been practising for
more than eight years post accreditation, please see paragraph 2.3 in Section B of
this document.
SECTION B:
1.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
APPLICANT’S PERSONAL DETAILS
You must complete Appendix A: Applicant’s Personal Details, Disclosure and
Declaration in full.
2.
PRACTICE
2.1
Criteria
A minimum practice of 90 client hours per year involving at least three clients.
If you are involved in a range of work in the counselling field such as training,
supervision practice and/or management in a counselling situation, you must have
had a minimum practice of 60 client hours per year involving at least two clients.
2.2
Evidence
A signed Practice Statement for the year (see Appendix B:
Counselling/Psychotherapy Statement). If you have an average of less than 90
client hours per year please provide a brief statement that outlines the extent of your
other involvements in the counselling field.
18 July 2011
Page 4
2.3
Evidence
Annual Renewal of Experienced COSCA Accredited Counsellors
Accredited counsellors and psychotherapists who have been practising for more than
eight years post accreditation need to meet the following crieria:
Counselling Practice:
60 hours – made up of a variety of counselling, face-to-face relationship work and
related pursuits.
This would incorporate:

Face-to-face counselling (circa 20 hours)

supervision of trainees/other counsellors

group work (therapeutic and devleopment/learning types

possibly individual work undertaken as a course tutor
Supervision:

Not less than one hour per month and is appropriate to the volume and nature
of client work
Continuing Professional Development:

12 hours per annum
2.4
Evidence
Breaks between 6 months – 5 Years
If you have taken a break greater than 6 months but less than 5 years from practising
as a counsellor/psychotherapist, please submit Appendix A: Applicant’s Personal
Details, Disclosure and Declaration and a report that explains the reason(s) for the
break. The report should also indicate how you already have, or plan to, put in place
what is needed for you to re-connect with your counselling practice. In addition, the
report should provide evidence of the following during the period of your break:



current membership of COSCA
contact with your supervisor and at least one counselling supervision session
from him/her prior to starting again to work with clients
on-going personal and professional development during the break and how
this has benefited you as a counsellor/psychotherapist
Breaks over 5 Years
If you have taken a break from practising as a counsellor/psychotherapist for more
than 5 years, and then decide to return to practising as a counsellor/psychotherapist,
you can apply for re-accreditation by submitting Appendix A: Applicant’s Personal
Details, Disclosure and Declaration and a report that explains the reason(s) for the
break. In addition, the report should provide evidence of the following:





18 July 2011
current membership of COSCA
one year of supervised counselling practice (90 + hours) in the form of a
practice log signed by your supervisor
18 hours continuing professional development during the past year
a case study (900-1000 words)
on-going personal and professional development during the break and how
this has benefited you as a counsellor/psychotherapist
Page 5
3.
INSURANCE
Please sign Part III of Appendix A: Applicant’s Personal Details, Disclosure and
Declaration stating that you have adequate and appropriate public and professional
liability insurance for your counselling/therapy work. (N.B. COSCA advises that
professional liability cover should not be less than £1,500,000.)
4.
4.1
SUPERVISION
Criteria
You must have sufficient hours of supervised counselling/therapy practice appropriate
to your counselling/therapy work. The recommendation for counsellors who have
been practising less than 5 years post accreditation is a ratio of not less than 1:12
supervision:client hours. For counsellors who have been practising for more than 5
years post accreditation it is recommended that supervision is not less than 1 hour
per month and is appropriate to the volume and nature of client work.
4.2
Evidence
a) A record of supervision hours in the appropriate part of the Practice Statement
(see Appendix B: Counselling/Psychotherapy Statement). Supervision can be
individual, group supervision or, 5 years post accreditation, peer group supervision
where the group is no less than three people. Counselling supervision should be
face to face, but in exceptional circumstances a range of technologies can be used
for supervision.
b) A report from your current counselling/therapy supervisor (see Appendix D:
Supervisor’s Report).
Your supervisor/peer group should be substantially experienced or accredited
counsellor/psychotherapist(s) who belongs to a professional organisation that has a
Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice. They should have wide experience in
supervision and not hold any line management responsibilities for your
counselling/therapy, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Please note that if you have been working with your current supervisor/peer group for
less than 6 months, you will also require a supervisor’s report from your previous
supervisor/peer group.
5.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
5.1
Criteria
You must complete the equivalent of a minimum of 3 days (18 hours) of continuing
professional development each year. CPD is an activity that develops your
understanding and skills in your profession and impacts on your work as a counsellor.
You should evidence a range of CPD activities, examples of which include: short
courses on professional issue, seminars and conferences, designing and facilitating
workshops, writing articles relevant to professional practice, participation in relevant
professional committees, personal therapy, research relevant to counselling/therapy.
18 July 2011
Page 6
5.2
Evidence
A log of your CPD activities over the year that includes a brief explanation as to the
reason you undertook the activity and a short description of the ways in which the
above CPD activity has impacted on your professional development and practice (see
Appendix C: Continuing Professional Development).
6.
ETHICS
6.1
Criteria
You need to be aware of your responsibilities and duties to practice ethically. You
will be fully conversant with COSCA’s Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice and
abide by it.
6.2
Evidence
Please sign Appendix A: Applicants Personal Details, Disclosure and
Declaration Part III declaring that you will



7.
abide by COSCA Guidelines and Criteria for the Annual Renewal of COSCA
Accreditation of Counsellors and Psychotherapists
be bound by COSCA Memorandum and Articles of Association
abide by COSCA Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice.
Appeal
You can appeal the decision of COSCA through the COSCA appeals procedure
within three months of the decision being made. (Copies of the Appeals Procedure
are available from the COSCA office.)
8.
Further Information
As you gather in information for this application, do you have any overall comments on the
development of your practice over this period or any feedback or points of interest you would
like to offer to COSCA?
Please send any comments to:
COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland)
16 Melville Terrace | Stirling | FK8 2NE
T: 01786 475 140 F: 01786 446 207
E: info@cosca.org.uk W: www.cosca.org.uk
18 July 2011
Page 7
ANNUAL RENEWAL OF COSCA ACCREDITATION
COUNSELLORS AND PSYCHOTHERAPISTS
APPLICANT’S PERSONAL DETAILS,
DISCLOSURE & DECLARATION
PART I:
APPENDIX A (page 1 of 3)
PERSONAL DETAILS
Forename(s)
Rosamond
Mailing Address
Park Cottage
Newlands
Gifford
Haddington
Surname Robertson
Post Code EH41 4PJ
Telephone:
Home:
01620 810647
Work:
07815 847338
Email:
robertsonpark@hotmail.com
COSCA Membership Reference No:914
Period of Renewal:
1st September 2011- 31st August 2012
I have enclosed my Annual Renewal Fee of:
Paid
(Please refer to the COSCA website: www.cosca.org.uk - link “Costings”)
Office Use Only
Date Received
Payment
Period of Accred
Membership
Outcome
18 July 2011
Page 8
APPENDIX A (page 2 of 3)
PART II:
DISCLOSURE
Using the space below:
1. Please state if any membership of any professional organisation has ever been
withdrawn or suspended. (This will not necessarily exclude you from COSCA
accreditation.)
YES
NO
x
If Yes, please give brief details:
2.
3.
4.
Please disclose details of all current professional complaints or disciplinary
proceedings brought against you which were successful or are currently pending,
which are relevant to your involvement with counselling or psychotherapy. (This will
not necessarily exclude you from COSCA accreditation.) None
Please disclose details of all current criminal or civil proceedings brought against you
that were successful or are currently pending, which are relevant to your involvement
with counselling or psychotherapy. (This will not necessarily exclude you from
COSCA accreditation.) None
Please state if your name is currently on, or has ever been on, the Scottish
Executive’s Disqualified from Working with Children List (DWCL).
Yes
No
x
If yes, please give brief details:
18 July 2011
Page 9
APPENDIX A (page3 of 3)
PART III:
DECLARATION
I declare that:
1.
I am applying for COSCA Counsellor/Psychotherapist Annual Renewal of
Accreditation, and agree to abide by COSCA’s Guidelines and Criteria for the
Annual Renewal of Accreditation of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, to be bound
by COSCA’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, and to abide by COSCA’s
Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice.
2.
The evidence I have submitted gives an accurate portrayal of my practice,
supervision and professional development in counselling.
3.
I will inform COSCA of all criminal, civil, complaint or disciplinary proceedings
brought against me in the future, which are relevant to my involvement with
counselling.
4.
I will provide such information as COSCA may require from time to time to confirm
my continuing eligibility for Counsellor/Psychotherapist Accreditation.
5.
I have appropriate and adequate public and professional liability insurance cover for
all my counselling/psychotherapy work.
6.
To the best of my knowledge and belief the information provided in this application
is correct, and I understand that a failure to disclose on application or during the
period of Accreditation, can lead to termination of my Counsellor/Psychotherapy
Accreditation and COSCA Membership.
Signature:
18 July 2011
Date:
Page 10
COUNSELLING/PSYCHOTHERAPY STATEMENT
1. Total client hours over last 12 months:
95 hours
2. Number of Clients seen over past year:
13 clients
APPENDIX B
3. Counselling/Psychotherapy context (e.g. agency/private practice/EAP):private
practice
4. Number of years and year dates of practice as a counsellor/psychotherapist.
12 years practice as a counsellor . 1999-2011
5. Supervision hours for past 12 months:

Individual:

Group:

Peer Group:



7.
10 hours
7.
Other involvement in Counselling/Psychotherapy Field:
teaching role at conference (see CPD)
interest in conflict resolution both between couples and within institutions
leading to discussions with experts and wide reading
two weeks training prior to going as an international observer to the occupied
Israeli territory of the West Bank in November for three months. (Time out from
counselling practice carefully planned). This has involved conflict resolution,
seminars, role play and other exposure/training of relevance to my personal
development and skills
If you have taken more than three months out of counselling/psychotherapy
practice during the last 12 months please say why:
This is a true and accurate record of my counselling/psychotherapy practice and
supervision hours for the past 12 months.
Signed:
Date:
18 July 2011
Page 11
18 July 2011
Page 12
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
APPENDIX C
Continuing
professional
development activity
undertaken
One to one
consultation with
sexual addiction expert
from Toronto
Hours & Date
(& provider if
relevant)
Brief explanation of reason for undertaking
activity
Brief description of how activity benefited your
professional development and practice
2 hours
8.10.2010
Fiona Roche therapist and trainer from
Belwood Hospital Toronto gave me further
advice & consultation re a couple divorcing
following 22 yrs of an abusive marriage.
Preparation meeting
for forthcoming
seminar
3 hours
13.1.2011
Planning for conference and my role.
I had not dealt with sexual abuse of this nature before I
came across it in this couple. There has been much to
learn about co-dependence involved, denial, etc. Now I
know of a useful website with questionnaire, books on
the subject and better understanding of enmeshment
and other difficulties related to power imbalance.
Learning to work in team and hear of others’ role etc.
Attended and also
delivered seminar at
Scottish Women’s
conference
Preparation week
Woodbrooke Study
Centre
2hours
4.3.2011
6 hours
5.3.2011
Four and a
half days
22.3.201126.3.2011
Asked to take seminar on ‘Freedom to lovewith sound judgement’. This was delivered to
two sets of 100 women.
This presented a challenge to provide material readily
accessible in a short period plus a power point
presentation. I enjoyed the opportunity to introduce
certain concepts about inner scripts.
Second week of training for my forthcoming
3 months in the West Bank. This was
prompted originally by an article in Therapy
Today March 2009 ‘Palestine:to resist is to
exist’ about traumatised children.
The sessions on conflict I consider relevant to my
professional practice and understanding. Specialised
trauma training to follow in October.
This is a true and accurate record of my CPD for the past 12 months.
Signature:
18 July 2011
Date:
Page 13
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
APPENDIX D
(page 1 of 2)
Applicant’s Name:
Rosamond Robertson
Supervisor’s Details (for peer group supervision this can be a member of the peer
group)
Forename(s)
Surname
Mailing Address
Post Code
Telephone:
Home:
Work:
Email:
Please √ as appropriate
Individual supervisor
Group supervisor
Peer group member
1.
Please provide details of your counselling supervision training and/or experience
in counselling supervision.
2.
Please state which professional body you are a member of.
18 July 2011
Page 14
APPENDIX D
(page 2 of 2)
3.
Do you consider that the applicant abides by the COSCA Statement of Ethics and
Code of Practice?
YES
NO
If No, please explain why not.
4.
How long have you been supervising the applicant?
5.
How frequently and for how long do you meet with the supervisee?
6. Do you consider the applicant to be a competent practitioner and suitable for
annual renewal of accreditation by COSCA?
YES
NO
If No, please give details.
I confirm that:

the application was written by the applicant

I have no line managerial responsibility for the applicant

I have read the contents of Appendices B and C.
Signature of Supervisor:
Please Print Name:
Date:
18 July 2011
Page 15
COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland)
16 Melville Terrace | Stirling | FK8 2NE
t:: 01786 475 140 f: 01786 446 207
e: info@cosca.org.uk w: www.cosca.org.uk
As a charity COSCA welcomes donations or other assistance from
benefactors who may have benefited from counselling
or who wish to support the development of counselling in Scotland.
COSCA acknowledges the assistance it receives from the Scottish Government
Charity Registered in Scotland No. SC018887
Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in Scotland No. 142360
18 July 2011
Page 16