REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Report of the Trustees and |
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Report of the Trustees and |
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Contents of the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 12 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 13 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 14 |
Balance Sheet | 15 | to | 16 |
Cash Flow Statement | 17 |
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement | 18 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 19 | to | 26 |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and aims |
The Council became a Charity on 25th September 2019. |
The charitable company's objectives are: |
- to advance the health of the public through the maintenance and regulation of professional standards and clinical practice in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling, and through the promotion and accreditation of training, |
- to advance education in and of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling and its theoretical underpinnings through, but not limited to, the promotion of research and publication of the useful results thereof; and |
advancing knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytically informed therapies. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Significant activities |
The charitable company's objectives are to advance the health of the public through the maintenance and regulation of professional standards and clinical practice in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling, and through the promotion and accreditation of training, to advance education in and of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling and its theoretical underpinnings through, but not limited to, the promotion of research and publication of the useful results thereof; and advancing knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytically informed therapies. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is the leading UK professional association and voluntary accredited register for the psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy profession. The BPC is made up of Member Institutions which are training institutions and professional associations in their own right. Individual psychoanalytic and psychodynamic |
psychotherapists and counsellors are members of these organisations and registrants of the BPC. |
The BPC is a Professional Standards Authority (PSA) accredited register. The PSA is overseen by the UK Parliament. PSA accredited registers help the public access better care by ensuring that the registered health practitioners are competent and trustworthy. As an accredited register BPC ensures that the information it provides is clear and helps the public to make informed choices about the therapy BPC's registrants offer. |
The BPC protects the public by maintaining its public register of psychoanalytically informed practitioners who meet its education, CPD and fitness to practise standards. The BPC continues to be a highly regarded professional body, recognised within the field as maintaining high professional standards. |
The BPC accredits the trainings of its Member Institutions, ensuring that they meet BPC's training standards. An individual who qualifies from one of these trainings, or equivalent, is then eligible for entry into the BPC's register. BPC registration is governed by a range of fitness to practise requirements including a code of ethics, continuing professional development and fitness to practise procedures. |
In addition to BPC's accredited trainings it also "kite marks" a number of trainings that are psychoanalytic in their formulation but do not, on their own, enable practitioners to appear on the BPC register. Practitioners completing these trainings can appear on the BPC public rosters. The charity currently "kite-marks" Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT), Transference Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), Counselling Children and Young People in Education and Community Settings and Time-limited Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (TAPP). |
The BPC has a vision of a society that recognises and values human relationships and the use of psychoanalytic theories of mind to support emotional wellbeing, good mental health, and effective social policy to create a better society. |
The charity's mission is to advance the health of the public though the promotion of the highest clinical standards of training and clinical practice of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychodynamic counselling; and advance the education of psychoanalytic theories of mind. Many of the charity's registrants are also senior consultant psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, academics, and leading figures in the field of mental health, both nationally and internationally. |
Public benefit |
The Trustees confirm their compliance with the duty to have due regard to the Public Benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives in planning future activities. |
Volunteers |
The BPC has a number of volunteers which sit on its various committees which offer advice and support to the Trustees, the chief executive and other team members. These volunteers are predominantly clinicians and practitioners in psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic, and psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling. |
A pool of volunteers from across the psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy profession provide content for its termly print publication and its e-newsletters. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Charitable activities |
The BPC moved into the second year of the three year organisational strategy, and has made significant progress across the different strategic objectives. The Board are particularly pleased with the progress on strengthening the regulatory model of the BPC; this was a priority for the organisation. |
The organisation has developed extensively over the last few years, having more clearly defined its role and objectives. The staff team continues to flourish whilst maintaining a supportive and beneficial culture. |
The Board remain grateful to the staff team and to the volunteers that enable the BPC to carry out the important work of protecting the public. |
People |
The new Communications Manager started with the BPC in June 2023 and following an induction process, she quickly began developing and implementing a new communications strategy across the organisation. |
A maternity cover for the Head of Regulation also started with the organisation in June 2023, and had a two month handover period before the permanent Head of Regulation went on maternity leave. |
Following an extensive recruitment process, a Head of Public Affairs and Policy was appointed and started with the organisation in January 2024. |
Membership |
During this financial year, there were no changes to the Member Institutions of the BPC. The following organisations remained a Member Institution during 2023 - 2024: |
Anna Freud |
Association for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Public Sector |
Association for Psychodynamic Practice and Counselling in Organisational Settings |
Association of Jungian Analysts |
Birkbeck Counselling Association |
British Psychoanalytic Association |
British Psychoanalytical Society / The Institute of Psychoanalysis |
British Psychotherapy Foundation |
Enfield Counselling Service |
Forensic Psychotherapy Society |
Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling |
Gloucestershire Counselling Service |
Manor House Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling |
North of England Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists |
Northern Ireland Psychoanalytic Society |
Scottish Association of Psychoanalytical Psychotherapists |
Severnside Institute for Psychotherapy |
Society of Analytical Psychology |
Tavistock Relationships |
Tavistock Society of Psychotherapists |
Wessex Counselling and Psychotherapy |
West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy |
The BPC increased the number of registrants listed on the accredited public register to 2050 across the various categories (full registration, supervisory/teaching, NHS only, pre-retired and deferred). This is an increase of 97 since March of the previous year. 237 of these registrants were new to the BPC, and of these new registrants, 119 were newly qualified. This is important not only to ensure diversity within the register but also puts the organisation in a good position for maintaining sustainability going forwards. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
The Trainee Network mailing list has expanded from 170 trainees to 255 between March 2023 and March 2024. |
The organisation has valued continued contact with retired registrants, and now has 16 people in the retired membership category. |
Individuals who have completed a BPC 'kite marked' training such as Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), Mentalisation Based Treatment (MBT), Counselling Children and Young People in Education and Community Settings (CCYP), Time-limited Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (TAPP) or Transference-focused Psychotherapy (TFP) are eligible to be added to the BPC kitemarked roster on the website. The kite marked roster has increased from 201 individuals to 227 during this period. |
The Scholars' Network continues to receive new applications, however the Network has decreased from 53 scholars to 47. The organisation hopes to increase awareness of the Network more widely in the new financial year. |
Education |
Between April 2023 and March 2024, the BPC carried out five full reaccreditation site visits to trainings, plus an accreditation visit and one reaccreditation of a kitemarked training course. |
In July the British Psychoanalytic Association's psychoanalysis training was reaccredited by a team led by Sally Beeken, and in October Gloucester Counselling's training in psychodynamic counselling and the Society of Analytical Psychology's training in Jungian analysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy were reaccredited by teams led by Jan McGregor Hepburn. Also in October the West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy's training in Jungian analytic psychotherapy was reaccredited by a team led by Sally Beeken and Lee Smith. Then in November Wessex Counselling's training in psychodynamic counselling was reaccredited by a team led by Sally Beeken. All five of these reaccreditations were for a period of five years. |
In addition, in April the new Jungian Psychotherapy training at the British Psychotherapy Foundation was accredited for five years, and in May the Mentalisation Based Therapy kitemarked course at Anna Freud was reaccredited by Sally Beeken and Joanne Brooks, and reaccredited for five years. |
All visits were conducted primarily in person, with some people attending online. |
Committees |
Board of Trustees |
Between April 2023 and March 2024 the BPC Board met 7 times. 6 of these were Board meetings and one was an all-day strategy meeting. During this year, the Board of Trustees was comprised of 10 Trustees; 8 are clinical trustees, and 2 are lay trustees. |
During this financial year, Jan McGregor Hepburn stepped down from her role as a Trustee and the organisation is particularly grateful for her extensive commitment to the BPC over the years. |
The Board discussed a significant number of topics throughout the year, with particular note to the new Standards, countersignatory requirements and updates to elements of the fitness to practise procedures. Further information about matters discussed at BPC Board meetings can be found in the public summaries on the governance page of the BPC website in the 'About us' section. |
Registration Committee |
The Registration Committee is chaired by the BPC Registrar Sally Beeken. During the year, two new members joined the committee. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
The committee met ten times a year on Zoom for their regular meeting and held one Away Day. They discussed the reaccreditation visits and continue to review training criteria documents and look at potential new trainings. The committee's working party on possible changes for the requirements for those supervising psychodynamic trainees reported back and changes were agreed by the board, with the new requirements added to the website. |
Professional Standards Committee |
The committee comprised of six senior clinicians. The staff team are central to the committee and do most of the work; this means the committee only needs to meet every other month. |
The Chair, Jan McGregor-Hepburn, stepped down from the Board at the end of 2023, and it was not possible to find another chair who would sit on the Board. In discussion with the CEO and the Chair of Ethics it was agreed to carry on with Jan McGregor-Hepburn as chair, and that structurally the committee would be designated a sub-committee of the Ethics Committee. This structure will be reviewed at the end of the year. In practice this seems to work well because the staff know what is happening and are able to handle any interface. |
This year the committee have been consulting on and had input into various documents; NICE guidelines on suicide risk, the guidelines on confidentiality and GDPR, the revised Code of Ethics (Standards) and BPC countersignatory requirements. |
The Committee has also discussed the matter of Registrants with more than one title, and wanting to transfer titles to MIs that do not usually provide that title. |
The bulk of the work is around the annual registration renewal and the CPD audit. The chair gets a handful of requests to vary the requirements for either countersignatory or deferment/delay in submitting the audit information. These are usually straightforward and easily dealt with. The chair is also consulted about applications to re-register. Again, these are usually straightforward. The audit always causes some difficulty, although most registrants are pleasant to deal with, and do much more than the minimum CPD requirement. Where there are difficulties the office staff deal with the Registrant first. Occasionally there are still Registrants who either do not engage with the process, or who do not seem able to follow the instructions and provide what is required. These are rare, thankfully. |
Ethics Committee |
Representation |
The Ethics Committee has been chaired by Alan Colam (TSP & BPA) with Ann Malkin (BPF) as Vice-Chair. As the only representative committee in the BPC, all Member Institutions have been represented in the past year, except Anna Freud, Enfield Counselling Service, Forensic Psychotherapy Service, Gloucestershire Counselling Service and Tavistock Relationships. Staff representatives have included the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Regulation, the Head of Professional Practice, the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and the Head of Operations. The Chair of the BPC attended in April 2023. Minutes have been taken by the Administrative Support Officer. |
The Committee has met three times in the past year: on 21 April 2023, 22 September 2023 and 2 February 2024. |
Remit of the Committee Revisited and revised Terms of Reference |
In September the Chief Executive drafted a paper, presented to the committee for discussion, to address changes in the remit of the committee subsequent to the new Fitness to Practice process implemented in January 2022. Enquiries now go to the Head of Regulation rather than the Chair of Ethics and the process is private, so it is not possible to give specific information to the committee about cases. |
The following roles for the Committee were proposed: |
1. To advise on revisions to the BPC's Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics as required. |
2. To advise on the development and revisions of other Ethical Guidelines as required. |
3. To provide advice and recommendations on ethics matters which have been brought by the Head of Professional Practice. |
4. To provide advice and recommendations on ethics matters which have been brought by the Chairs of Ethics of Member Institutions. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
5. To develop and revise case studies highlighting ethical matters. |
6. To review Fitness to Practice data biannually. |
7. To disseminate ethics matters discussed at Ethics Committee to respective Member Institutions. |
The updated Terms of Reference were agreed by the Committee and were sent to the Board for approval in March 2024. |
Update on Consultation on revised Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics |
The draft revised Standards, drafted and discussed by the Board, were put up for public consultation during the year. There were 125 responses, over half the Member Institutions putting in organisational responses. Feedback has been collated by a subcommittee and the final draft of the revised Standards now prepared. These will be launched at PPNow in November 2024. The Ethics Committee will consider useful guidance for clinicians on the basis of the new Standards. |
Themes discussed |
In April the committee was visited by Igi Moon (Chair of the MoU group) and Juliet Newbigin (Chair of the BPC Sexuality and Gender Diversity Group). There has as yet been no draft conversion therapy ban legislation. The issue remains of concern to the committee, particularly in terms of the definition of Conversion Therapy and the impact on Registrants working in the area of sexual and gender diversity. The BPC remains represented on the MoU Group. The Chief Executive has requested legal advice with regard to what has been done in other countries and is recruiting an expert advisory panel to analyse draft legislation as soon as it is published. |
Professional wills has been flagged as a possible area of concern on the committee during the year and will be followed up with MIs so that Registrants are made aware of the remit of the professional will. |
The new area of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has been raised for discussion and guidance on the committee. |
Professional Standards Committee |
During the year it was agreed that the work of the Professional Standards Committee should fall within the remit of the Ethics Committee and that the PSC should become a subcommittee of the Ethics Committee with a representative of the PSC reporting to the Ethics Committee. |
Succession |
Alan Colam has completed his term of office as Chair and wishes to stand down. A replacement Chair was not found during the year and this matter is as yet unresolved. There has been some discussion about the possibility of a rotating Chair or co-Chair, but no decision has been made as yet. |
Sexual and Gender Diversity Committee |
The Committee met on 3 July and 27 November 2023 followed by an enjoyable in-person get-together on 3 March. |
After the successful event last year on "Exploring Clinical Approaches in Work with Gender Questioning Young People", the group have been considering whether a similar format could be used to set up an opportunity for clinicians to discuss their understanding of the proposed legal ban on conversion therapy designed to change an individual's sexual or gender identity, and their impressions of the impact that it might have on their clinical work. |
The government initially claimed that a law banning conversion therapy was ready to be presented to Parliament last year, but it never materialised. Then the long-awaited review for the NHS by Dame Hilary Cass into gender identity services for children and young people was finally published in April 2024. Members of the Committee feel that it is important for BPC registrants to be properly informed about both of these developments, but it has been difficult to consider what action to take while there is so much uncertainty about the political climate. The forthcoming general election will no doubt bring about policy changes which will affect the LGBTQI community. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
A subgroup of the committee is standing ready to think about a definition of conversion therapy. There is a worry that a legal ban would create an atmosphere of surveillance which would invade the therapeutic setting, unless careful wording is found. It has also been suggested that it would be helpful to arrange an event for registrants to explore the findings of the Cass Report. The Committee continues to plan for these proposals. |
Scholars Committee |
Founded in 2016, the Scholars Committee provides recognition and support for the Scholars' Network, a grouping of academics and clinician-academics who have devoted their careers to the enhancement of psychoanalytical scholarship through university teaching, research, publications, and public outreach. Over the years, the Scholars Network has grown in size, having enhanced its membership to include not only Scholars, but, more recently, Clinician Scholars (i.e., clinical registrants of the British Psychoanalytic Council who have proven themselves as distinguished academics), as well as Associate Scholars, International Scholars, and Honorary Scholars. The Scholars Committee continues to produce a termly e-newsletter, The Scholars' Study, and also sponsors three sub-committees, the Events Sub-Committee, designed to organise seminars; the Newsletter Sub-Committee, which prepares The Scholars' Study, and the Membership Sub-Committee, which reviews and approves applications of new scholars from across the globe. |
The members of the Scholars' Network continue to teach and to publish on a wide range of subjects, including the links between psychoanalysis and such diverse topics as literature, history, art, politics, social sciences, feminism, media studies, psychosocial and psychocultural studies, medical humanities, classics, music, history of psychiatry and psychoanalysis, digital technology, and so many more. |
The Scholars Committee remains under the chairmanship of Professor Brett Kahr, with five long-term serving Committee members. |
Communications |
Over the last year, we have substantially increased our social media followers: |
Twitter: |
April 2021: 13,600 |
March 2022: 14,400 |
March 2023: 14,652 |
May 2024: 14,731 |
Facebook: |
April 2021: 5,898 |
March 2022: 6,668 |
March 2023: 6,801 |
May 2024: 6,796 |
LinkedIn: |
April 2021: 901 |
March 2022: 1,413 |
March 2023: 1,794 |
May 2024: 2,061 |
Having a larger audience means we can more effectively promote our work and profile, our MIs, the profile of our Registrants, and the importance of psychoanalytically-informed therapy. |
Some of the campaigns we have promoted include: |
- New Issues of New Associations |
- Our renewal period |
- World Mental Health Day |
- World Mental Health Awareness Week |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
As a staff, we are committed to increasing engagement. This includes: |
- Promoting our online event calendar and online jobs board |
- Promoting inclusion in the monthly eNewsletter, which has prompted a sharp increase in requests to be included in the eNewsletter, from Registrants and MIs. |
- Working with the Scholars Committee to increase engagement with their community through development of their tri-annual Scholars Study eNewsletter. |
We have worked increasingly closely with other organisations on a number of initiatives, including: |
- Climate Emergency Mental Health and Psychological Professions Coalition (ACC, BACP, BAAT, CPA, RPsych, RCP, UKAHPP, UKCP) |
- SCoPEd (ACC, BACP, Human Givens, NCS, UKCP) |
- Networking/sharing best practice and advice with BACP and UKCP. |
The current New Associations editorial board consists of Helen Morgan as editor. Editorial Board members consist of Deborah Wright, Noreen Giffney, Christopher Scanlon and Nini Fang, although this is a smaller than average board, Helen prefers a small group of active members than a large group of inactive members. The journal is on a steady pace, however, Helen is seeking a change of pace with a feedback survey sent out in the most recent BPC newsletter and a strategic away day coming up. It's likely there will be some thematic changes to the publication soon. The most recent editions of New Associations was distributed to 2,073 individuals. |
Web Analytics Snapshot (2023): |
Web Sessions: |
Total: 16,868 |
By Web Search: 12,235 |
Direct Visit: 3,882 |
Social Media: 287 |
Web Users: |
Total: 11,089 |
By Web Search: 7,975 |
Direct Visit: 2,685 |
Social Media: 183 |
Web Analytics Snapshot (2024): |
Web Sessions: |
Total: 24,349 |
By Web Search: 17,366 |
Direct Visit: 5,522 |
Social Media: 175 |
Web Users: |
Total: 15,258 |
By Web Search: 10,756 |
Direct Visit: 3,671 |
Social Media: 127 |
Average time per web session: 1m 02s |
Most visited page: Find a psychoanalytic psychotherapist |
Web Takeaways |
- We've seen a 44% increase in web visitors since this time last year. |
- Part of this is a 42% increase in visitors who arrive by web search, this means the content of our website is becoming more searchable and we're travelling up the Google Search rankings. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
- Part of this is a 42% increase in people directly visiting our website which means our name is becoming more recognisable and our website is becoming a frequent online destination for people. |
- The most engaged new visitors on our site arrive by 'referral' which means they're clicking on our site from another web source that isn't a search engine |
- The least engaged new visitors arrive through social media |
- Our find a therapist page is the most visited page and the most time a user spends is on that page |
Newsletter Snapshot |
April 2021 - March 2022 |
Average Unique Open Rate: 73% |
Average Click-through Rate: 15% |
Total Clicks: 83 |
Total Opens: 166,491 |
Recipient Growth Rate: +5% |
April 2022 - March 2023 |
Average Unique Open Rate: 83% |
Average Click-through Rate: 16% |
Total Clicks: 9,226 |
Total Opens: 140,321 |
Recipient Growth Rate: -6% |
April 2023 - March 2024 |
Average Unique Open Rate: 67% |
Average Click-through Rate: 41% |
Total Clicks: 10,256 |
Total Opens: 35,634 |
Recipient Growth Rate: 2% |
The BPC website has an area linking to our Member Institutions and Training Organisations, however there previously has not been an updated list of accredited training courses. The organisation has now created a new subsection of the training area of the website, separated by groups they are designed to work with (ie. adults, children or couples etc) then by approach (e.g. psychoanalysis or psychodynamic psychotherapy). There is then a basic introduction to this approach and a list of the accredited trainings, linked to the training organisation's website directly for further information. This area of the website was made live in early March and had approximately 800 page views in the first month. It is one of the most regularly viewed pages on the BPC website. |
Regulation |
Between April 2023 and March 2024 there have been a rise in the number of enquiries and complaints relating to fitness to practise matters. There was a total of 64 enquiries of which 17 became formal complaints having met the acceptance criteria threshold. The complaints involved 9 separate hearings including Interim Order Committees and Fitness to Practise Committee Hearings. Out of the 17 complaints 14 were resolved and closed. There is a clear indication that the new complaints process which commenced in January 2022 has increased the volume of fitness to practise investigations year on end each financial year. We expect this trend to continue in the next financial year. |
Events |
Confidentiality workshop |
The BPC decided to hold a series of smaller CPD events in 2023 instead of the annual conference Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Now. There was workshop on confidentiality and GDPR, for Registrants only, and was an online event held in June 2023. |
There were two speakers, one a psychoanalyst and one a barrister, each giving a presentation and then a discussion between them about confidentiality and GDPR. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
60 Registrants signed up for this event and there was very positive feedback, particularly in relation to bringing together clinician and legal perspectives and creating a space to think about such complex issues. |
30th anniversary |
The BPC held the 30th anniversary drinks reception at the Freud Museum on Saturday 4 November 2023. Tickets for the event were popular and had sold out in advance of the event. |
76 people attended the event (the maximum capacity at the venue was 80 people) and the feedback was extremely positive. |
Given there was no conference this year, there was an awards ceremony at this anniversary event. Further information about the event and the awards is available on the news section of the website here and a selection of photos can be found here. |
Safeguarding workshop |
The BPC held a safeguarding workshop for Registrants on Saturday 9 December 2023. It was an all-day online workshop with trainer Sonia Appleby. |
This was arranged as a much smaller, more intimate event with 24 people in attendance. Feedback on the day and in the follow up survey was particularly positive. |
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Now |
The staff team began preparing for the flagship conference, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Now 2024, during this financial year. |
Policy |
Throughout the financial year, the BPC engaged on two main policy projects: firstly, the UK government's Suicide Reduction Strategy, and secondly, the Scottish Government's proposed ban on conversion practices. |
The BPC has continued to engage with NHS England on the government's Suicide Reduction Strategy, following guidance issued by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. The BPC has communicated this guidance to Registrants and Member Institutions, although the type of risk assessments that is now a 'do not use' in the NICE guidelines are not used by psychoanalytic practitioners. The BPC continue to be in discussions with NHS England, as well as the Professional Standards Association, to consider how psychoanalytic understandings of suicidality may be useful more widely. |
The BPC has responded to the consultation launched by the Scottish government on ending conversion practices (previously referred to as "conversion therapies"). In its submission, the BPC maintained its opposition to all attempts at conversion practices, and also emphasised that future legislation must ensure that a therapist and/or counsellor will continue to be able to work with the patient in a non-directional manner without fear of prosecution. Further clarification has also been sought on what constitutes a "healthcare professional" if this is the test for which such care will be permitted "in the course of their delivering medical and/or psychological care". The BPC will continue to monitor developments on this issue in both Scotland and the rest of the UK. |
The SCoPEd project (the scope of practice and education for counselling and psychotherapy) is a long running collaboration between seven professional bodies in the counselling and psychotherapy sector, including the BPC, to develop a shared framework mapping out existing core competencies and practice standards for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists and counsellors working with adults. The SCoPEd framework was formally adopted in 2023. This was a significant step in addressing the confusion around the current landscape with a framework that will inform the minimum training requirements, competencies and practice standards for therapists working with adults. Work continues amongst the collaboration to determine how best to promote the framework. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Financial position |
During the year, the charity's general fund expenditure exceeded income with a net deficit of £11,934. See pages 15 and 16 of the financial statements for details of the financial performance and position of the charity. At the period end, the charity held free reserves of £429,041. |
Reserves policy |
The trustees take the monies of Registrants and Member Institutions and the setting of fees very seriously, and balance this with the need to maintain proportionate reserves. |
It is the policy of the charity to maintain at least 6 months of the financial year's operating cost as well as an additional £80,000. The likelihood of a significant hit to the charity arising from our regulatory function (i.e. legal cost) has become an increasingly realistic prospect, and the trustees consider this reserves policy will allow the charity to continue its current activities whilst responding to such an event. |
The Board remains satisfied that the charity is a Going Concern. |
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. |
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies' exemption. |
Going concern |
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to support the current level of expenditure and to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. |
FUTURE PLANS |
There are some exciting anticipated new staffing roles to be recruited in the year ahead, such as a new Office and Events Manager and a Paralegal. |
After a significant amount of work, the organisation looks forward to releasing the BPC's new Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics. It is anticipated these will be released in advance of our flagship conference, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy now, which will be looking at psychoanalysis, ethics, regulation and the law. |
The BPC will continue to expand on its policy work over the coming year. |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
The management of the charity are responsible for recruitment, induction and training of the trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. |
Organisational structure |
The trustees meet regularly to administer the day-to-day affairs of the charity. None of the trustees have any beneficial interest in the charity. All of trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Registered Charity number |
Registered office |
Trustees |
Independent Examiner |
Janine Boyo |
Voisey & Co LLP |
Chartered Accountants |
8 Winmarleigh Street |
Warrington |
Cheshire |
WA1 1JW |
Solicitors |
Bates Wells & Braithwaite LLP |
10 Queen Street Place |
London |
EC4R 1BE |
Chief Executive Officer |
GJ Ross-Sampson |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The British Psychoanalytic Council ('the Company') |
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
Responsibilities and basis of report |
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). |
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. |
Independent examiner's statement |
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. |
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: |
1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
3. | the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or |
4. | the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). |
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
Janine Boyo |
Voisey & Co LLP |
Chartered Accountants |
8 Winmarleigh Street |
Warrington |
Cheshire |
WA1 1JW |
12 July 2024 |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Statement of Financial Activities |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Total |
funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Charitable activities | 3 |
Investment income | 2 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds | 4 |
Charitable activities | 5 |
Other |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 440,975 |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. |
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. |
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Balance Sheet |
31 March 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Total |
funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 10 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Debtors | 11 |
Cash at bank |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 12 | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 13 |
Unrestricted funds | 440,975 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 440,975 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council (Registered number: 05034324) |
Balance Sheet - continued |
31 March 2024 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Cash Flow Statement |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Notes | £ | £ |
Cash flows from operating activities |
Cash generated from operations | 1 | 15,881 | 122,514 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 15,881 | 122,514 |
Cash flows from investing activities |
Purchase of tangible fixed assets | (3,924 | ) | (2,718 | ) |
Interest received | 3,880 | 597 |
Net cash used in investing activities | (44 | ) | (2,121 | ) |
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period |
15,837 |
120,393 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period |
988,534 |
868,141 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period |
1,004,371 |
988,534 |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
1. | RECONCILIATION OF NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Net (expenditure)/income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) |
(11,934 |
) |
93,624 |
Adjustments for: |
Depreciation charges | 4,063 | 4,807 |
Interest received | (3,880 | ) | (597 | ) |
Increase in debtors | (8,722 | ) | (14,724 | ) |
Increase in creditors | 36,354 | 39,404 |
Net cash provided by operations | 15,881 | 122,514 |
2. | ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS |
At 1.4.23 | Cash flow | At 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Net cash |
Cash at bank | 988,534 | 15,837 | 1,004,371 |
988,534 | 15,837 | 1,004,371 |
Total | 988,534 | 15,837 | 1,004,371 |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
The reporting currency is £ Sterling. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Expenditure |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
Allocation and apportionment of costs |
During the year, the accounting system was reviewed and amended to more closely match the costs areas of the charity. In order for comparisons to be made and be relevant, the 2021 figures have been amended to new policy. |
Tangible fixed assets |
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
Fixtures and fittings | - |
Computer equipment | - |
Taxation |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
Fund accounting |
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits |
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. |
Cash and cash equivalents |
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with bank, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Financial instruments |
The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments' and Section 12 'Other Financial Instruments Issues' of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. |
Financial instruments are recognised in the company's statement of financial position when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. |
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the net asset and settle the liability simultaneously. |
Basic financial assets |
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised costs using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. |
Other financial assets |
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publically traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment. |
Derecognition of financial assets |
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party. |
Classification of financial liabilities |
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities. Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. |
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. |
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. |
Impairment of financial assets |
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit or loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss. |
Derecognition of financial liabilities |
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. |
Equity instruments |
Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company. |
Employee benefits |
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets. The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits |
2. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Deposit account interest |
3. | INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Activity | £ | £ |
Membership fees |
Maintenance and regulation of professional standards |
695,758 |
650,306 |
Conferences and events |
Maintenance and regulation of professional standards |
6,710 |
32,275 |
Publications |
Maintenance and regulation of professional standards |
2,696 |
4,062 |
Regulatory accreditation |
Maintenance and regulation of professional standards |
13,225 |
23,000 |
Covid-19 Grant |
Maintenance and regulation of professional standards |
- |
1,485 |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
4. | RAISING FUNDS |
Other trading activities |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Bad debts | 11,299 | - |
5. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS |
Direct |
Costs |
£ |
Maintenance and regulation of professional standards |
423,682 |
6. | SUPPORT COSTS |
Governance |
Management | Finance | Other | costs | Totals |
£ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
Other resources expended | 268,009 | 223 | 4,064 | 26,926 | 299,222 |
7. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Depreciation - owned assets |
Other operating leases | 26,516 | 26,121 |
Independent examiner's fee | 3,125 | 3,013 |
8. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
In accordance with the Articles of Association, the Charity has paid honoraria to four trustees totalling £10,000. |
Trustees' expenses |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Trustees' expenses |
Travelling expenses were incurred by 4 trustees and the claims were approved as legitimate expenses to be claimed by the trustees as described in the Articles of Association. |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
9. | STAFF COSTS |
The key management personnel of the Charity comprise the Chief Executive Officer. The total employee benefits of key management personnel of the Charity were £106,634. |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Average employees in the year |
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was: |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£90,001 - £100,000 |
10. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Fixtures |
and | Computer |
fittings | equipment | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1 April 2023 |
Additions |
At 31 March 2024 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 April 2023 |
Charge for year |
At 31 March 2024 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2024 |
At 31 March 2023 |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
11. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Trade debtors |
Other debtors |
Prepayments and accrued income |
12. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Trade creditors |
Social security and other taxes |
Accruals and deferred income |
Deferred income comprises membership received in advance of the year to which it relates. |
31.03.24 |
£ |
Balance as at 1st April 2023 | 573,628 |
Amount released to income earned from charitable activities | (573,628) |
Amount deferred in year | 619,973 |
Balance as at 31st March 2024 | 619,973 |
13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 440,975 | (11,934 | ) | 429,041 |
TOTAL FUNDS | (11,934 | ) | 429,041 |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 722,269 | (734,203 | ) | (11,934 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (11,934 | ) |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 347,351 | 93,624 | 440,975 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 347,351 | 93,624 | 440,975 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 711,725 | (618,101 | ) | 93,624 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 711,725 | (618,101 | ) | 93,624 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 347,351 | 81,690 | 429,041 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 347,351 | 81,690 | 429,041 |
The British Psychoanalytic Council |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 1,433,994 | (1,352,304 | ) | 81,690 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 1,433,994 | (1,352,304 | ) | 81,690 |
14. | EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS |
The charity operates a defined contribution scheme. The assets of which are held separately from the assets of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the company to the fund and amounted to £28,011 (2023 £22,680). |
Included in Other Creditors is the pension liability at the year end of £3,131 (2023 £2,622). |
15. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
Honorarium payments are made to a minority of the trustees as their roles and responsibilities (including inputs of significant clinical expertise) go far above and beyond the usual role of a trustee. Details of the honorarium are disclosed in the charity's Articles of Association, on the basis of a decision agreed by a subcommittee formed by trustees who would not themselves be receiving payments. |
During the year, a number of purchases were made for Trustee's as small gifts when leaving the charity or for those who went above and beyond for the charity. The total expense in relation to these gifts included within the statement of financial activities is £297. |