FDAP QUALIFICATIONS :: NCAC

Overview

Introduction

FDAP's National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate (NCAC) scheme is a professional certification for drug and alcohol counsellors.

FDAP is recognised by the United Kingdom Register of Counsellors (UKRC) as an accrediting body. This makes NCAC a nationally recognised award and means that NCAC counsellors can join the UKRC register on the same terms as accredited practitioners of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the Confederation of Scottish Counselling Agencies (COSCA). As registrants of the UKRC NCAC counsellors will also be able to include their details on the online UKRC register and advertise in the UKRC corporate box in Yellow Pages. Click here for more details.

NCAC accreditation also provides complementary evidence of competence in a number of the DANOS units in FDAP's Drug and Alcohol Professional Certification scheme (specifically units AA2, AA6, AC1, AC2, AF2, AI1, AI3 & BI5).

NCAC accreditation is valid for three years, after which members must apply for re-accreditation. It is open only to individual members of FDAP and employees of corporate affiliate agencies.

Core functions

FDAP NCAC accreditation recognises that the role of a counsellor in the drug and alcohol field extends beyond counselling per se - and includes a range of additional 'core functions' including screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports and record keeping, and liaison with other professionals.

For more details on the 'core functions of drug and alcohol counselling' click here.

Standard route

Under the standard route to accreditation, applicants must demonstrate:

Competence in the full range of ‘core functions’ of drug & alcohol counselling.
A clear personal philosophy and approach to counselling.
An on-going commitment to professional development.

In addition, they must have:

Four years of work experience as a counsellor - at least 2.5 yrs in substance use field.
600 hours of supervised face-to-face individual, couples or group counselling - at least 400 hours in substance use field.
A further 300 hours of supervised experience related to other ‘core functions’ - at least 200 hours in substance use field.
450 hours of training relevant to the counsellor's role in the drug & alcohol field.

Click here for application forms and further details.

Alternative route

Subject to satisfactory references from a supervisor and professional referee, experienced counsellors will be eligible for NCAC accreditation if they have four years’ supervised experience as a drug/alcohol counsellor and are already accredited as a counsellor by one of the following organisations: BACP, UKCP, NAADAC (US), IC&RC or BPS (as a counselling psychologist), or by any organisation recognised as an accrediting body by the United Kingdom Register of Counsellors (UKRC).

Click here for application forms and further details.

Re-accreditation

NCAC accreditation is valid for three years, after which members must apply for re-accreditation. To be re-accredited, practising counsellors will need to meet the following criteria:

Have engaged in continuing professional development since accreditation was last awarded (at least 20 hrs per year, including at least 10 hrs in training / education).
Have received regular supervision, in line with FDAP guidance, in the period since accreditation was last awarded.
Have held continuing FDAP membership since accreditation was last awarded.

Non-practising counsellors can also re-accredit provided they meet the above crtieria for any period during which they have been practising since they were last accredited.

Click here for application forms and further details.

Costs

Initial accreditation £150 for three years. Re-accreditation costs £100 for three years. [Reductions on the costs of initial accreditation are available through FDAP affiliated agencies.]

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