Do check the BABCP website though for up-to-date details of their current list of Core Professions and condensed KSA portfolios  

(Last updated – 19 August 2026)

(1)  Minimum professional experience required to meet KSA eligibility

·       A minimum of 4 year’s full-time equivalent relevant professional experience is now required before the course starts in January of each year

·       The BABCP specify this as, “Working experience of 1:1 therapy, counselling or support work in a setting related to mental-health”

·       Exceptionally, we will consider candidates with a minimum of 3 year’s highly relevant experience and where the candidate holds a degree in psychology (either a graduate degree or a post-graduate conversion)

(2)  Outline of pre-interview eligibility process

·       Employers will normally ask you to send them draft self-statements of KSAs 1, 4, 6 and 8 BEFORE you are interviewed - use Form KSA2 below

·       You will also be asked for a completed Record of Experience form (DO NOT complete the alternative BABCP form entitled “Biography”) - use Form KSA6 below

·       When completing the Record of Experience, you need to ensure that you clearly state whether your roles were part-time or full-time.  If part-time, you also need to specify how many hours a week you worked in each role

·       Employers will send this information to the course team for assessment – further information may be required.  You may be asked for such further information after your interview

·       If successful at interview, any offer of employment is conditional upon the university confirming you meet eligibility for the KSA route. 

No offer of a place on the course will be made unless we have agreed you meet eligibility for the KSA route

(3)   Assessment of KSA portfolios

·       If you are offered a place on the training course, the KSA portfolio MUST be completed in full before training starts.  This is a change from previous years

·       We ask you now to submit a whole draft of the portfolio for submission during the first week of the course. This should include all the necessary documentary evidence and references. You will receive detailed written feedback on this within 6 weeks of submission

·       KSA candidates offered a place on the course after interview, will be given details of a further Padlet which contains detailed information about completing the portfolio

·       A KSA workshop will be offered later in the year BEFORE the course starts

·       A further KSA workshop will be offered during the first term to support any subsequent amendments and resubmissions that may be needed during the year of the course

·       We are aiming for all KSA portfolios to be completed and signed-off as fully meeting the KSA criteria by the end of the first term, ideally before you really get going on the other course assignments