The application for professionalisation
June 2009
The Chairman had a meeting with the Board of Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa on 30 April 2009. He was accompanied by Dr Leon Klein from the National Counselling Centre Development Ministry in Bryanston, Johannesburg, as well as Peniel Letsoalo from the Rhema Church Bible School. Both are trained and experienced counsellors.
The differences between psychology and pastoral counselling were discussed. The Board members made it clear that the Board exists specifically to regulate psychologists.
The delegation left SAAP with the option to address the following issues:
- a clear definition of the profession(s) that would constitute the proposed board for pastoral work;
- a clear description of the acts that persons who will be registered under the profession(s) will do;
- an indication of the possible size of the profession(s) at this stage;
- an indication of education and training requirements that would be required from persons wishing to register under the profession(s);
- an indication of professional associations that are in existence in the profession(s).
Training institutions and service providers need to respond to enable a successful application. SAAP plans a meeting to mobilise these role players to clarify the above issues.
The application for professionalisation
December 2009
The SAAP executive committee invites stakeholders to a workshop in 2010 (date to be announced) to discuss the guidelines to meet the requirements of the Health Professions Council for a professional board. Training institutions and service providers are also invited to the meeting. The workshop needs to find consensus on the following aspects:
- A clear definition of the profession(s) that would constitute the proposed Board.
- A clear description of the acts that persons who will be registered under the profession or these professions will do.
- An indication of the possible size of the profession or professions at this stage.
- An indication of education and training requirements that would be required from persons wishing to register under the profession or professions.
- An indication of professional associations that are in existence in the profession or professions.
SAAP needs to have clarity on all these aspects
