AAB - Governing board

The ASCHP is managed by AAB – ASCHP Advisory Board.

Membership, entrance requirements and RPL

Membership at the ASCHP provides a para-professional standing and status to counsellors who work in the informal sector on primary health care level. ASCHP members have accredited and applicable qualifications or an equivalent. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be applied to prospective members who want to apply for the recognition of informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

The application form is fairly comprehensive as SAQA requires the information of each member to be uploaded onto the NLRD (National Learner Record Data Base) for statistical purposes.

Membership is from year to year and an annual membership fee is payable upon renewal after 365 days every year. Renewal remittances are normally sent to members but it remains the obligation of every member to see to it that membership is duly renewed irrespective of whether a renewal notice is received or not. A registration certificate issued for each year of registration must be displayed in the consultation office of the counsellor. A membership card to carry in one’s wallet is also issued.

A constitution and ethical code will be made available to each registered member. This will provide a guideline for practice.

Membership is per category related to level of academic/professional training and members may upgrade by following a lifelong learning pathway.

Annual membership renewal depends on the following criteria of good standing:

• Membership renewal fees paid up
• CPD training is up to date
• Ethical integrity
• Acceptable professional performance
• Good business conduct

Prospective members are required to complete the Quick Evaluation Form and pay the evaluation fee, followed by completing the pro-forma ASCHP application form which can be obtained from the ASCHP office. Please note that the Board has the right to expect an applicant to write a prescribed board examination as entry level requirement for membership where and when deemed necessary. Candidates, who do not possess accredited and applicable qualifications, may apply for membership if they have good reason to believe that they may qualify in terms of professional competence and or counselling experience. A RPL panel will assess the evidence against an accredited and applicable qualification and make a recommendation for membership to the Board in terms of the ASCHP RPL policy. RPL application forms can be obtained from the ASCHP office.

Membership and CPD training

Continuous Professional Development is required, per statutory regulation, for all professionals such as counsellors, psychologists, medical practitioners and nurses, social workers, religious workers and teachers. CPD training is compulsory and the obligation as set out in the NQF policy (Act 67 of 2008) determines that a professional body shall “set criteria for, promote and monitor continuous professional development for its members to meet relevant professional designation requirements.” Accordingly the ASCHP offers CPD training to help its members stay up to date with professional requirements, latest research and amendments to the applicable acts. The number of CPD points that a member has to complete per annum depends on the category of registration.

For more information on CPD programmes, please consult the topic CPD‘s.

Training opportunities for upgrading of designations

The ASCHP may not offer training as professional body, but identified various training providers that are capable of offering relevant training opportunities. For more information please contact the office and request a prospectus.