Once again there is something here for each society member to

think about. For new members coming into the society there is

Another AGM has been and gone and in the main it was the

no system of CPD. Even under the old system the compulsory

usual routine affair. However, after the various committee

CPD system ended once a member had reached full member

reports had been given, the A.O.B section (any other business)

status. The question to answer is: do we need a method of

was host to some interesting discussion.

CPD? Should it be a compulsory requirement of membership

and, if so, what form should it take? As these questions may

Several members (who were unable to be present on the day)

affect us all we should all take a little time to consider them. Any

had asked if the subject of supervision could be mentioned at

comments or suggestions to the secretary.

the meeting. Bill Doult, who has mooted this proposal at

previous AGM's, was the first to raise the question: "Is it

possible for the society to have some form of structured system

of supervision for members?"

One other point raised which may be of interest had been

discussed at previous committee meetings but was sponsored

I think that any system of supervision which creates a support

again by full member Lynda Hudson. There is a growing trend

network and a means for the exchange of experience and ideas

for organizations that employ people to deal with persons who

would be of benefit to members and I believe that all present at

are potentially vulnerable or at risk, to require clearance

the AGM felt the same way. Indeed the idea of a supervision

through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). Lynda proposed

network is not new and several other organizations have such

that it may be a good idea for all the members of this society to

a scheme as a constitutional part of membership.

obtain a certificate from the CRB and perhaps even introduce it

as a requirement of the constitution. The idea could have some

It seems to me that the critical questions this idea raises are:

merit and it was clear from the ensuing discussions that some

of the members present had already taken this course of action.

*

What is the defined purpose (or purposes) of

It was suggested that some means could be provided (perhaps

alongside the individual Internet listing), to show which

*

Should the system of supervision be voluntary

members had been vetted in this way.

or compulsory?

*

How should a system of supervision be

For members who want to know more about this, details of the

organized and administered?

CRB can be had from their web site at www.crb.co.uk and

there is a public information line at 0870 90 90 811.

Perhaps these are questions that the membership can ponder

with a view to expressing their opinion, or perhaps with a

possible future vote or referendum on the subject? If you have

any ideas for the implementation of a supervisory structure,

experience of a system currently in operation or opinions that

run counter to the idea, please write or e-mail the secretary of

Some of our members might be justifiably proud of the fact that

the society with your thoughts.

they have passed their Diploma examination with distinction.

However, on three separate occasions recently (during calls

from members of the public) the opinion seems to have been

that the word dist. given after a members qualification (i.e. D.

Hyp (Dist), refers to a distance learning qualification!

Another topic that several members asked me to raise on their

behalf at the AGM was introduced at the meeting by Dr Rumi

Hence, it may be a good idea to use the whole word `distinction'

Peynovska and is that of Continued Professional Development.

after your qualification rather than use the abbreviation, as

Since the constitution of the society was changed this year to

some member's of the public may interpret it incorrectly.

alter the path to full membership to include the full range of

diploma qualifications at the expense of the `Masterclass

method', it was felt by some members that a valuable system of

ongoing training was being discarded. Dr Peynovska pointed

out that the current medical model requires some system of

demonstrating continual development through training and

A number of members are looking to find professional

suggested the society should not allow its previous standard to

insurance cover for overseas work, particularly in Australia,

Spain and France. If any member knows of a source for this

insurance cover please let the secretary know, so I can pass

Again, this proposal provoked some interesting discussion.

this information on.

Most seemed to be of the opinion that ongoing training was a

beneficial thing but no clear idea was put forward as to how the

previous system might be improved or replaced. Some seemed

to be of the opinion that there should be a scheme of `revision

and renewal' put in place, where old techniques from the

Diploma courses were systematically revised and newly

If you have recently been informed of an exam success, please

developed techniques introduced, rather than the ad hoc

remember to inform the organizing secretary so I can keep my

method of choosing `Masterclasses' on seemingly random

records up-to-date and ensure that you get the correct

topics. Also, some are of the opinion that as Masterclasses

paperwork as soon as possible.

themselves are informal in nature (unexamined) they should

not really count as continued professional development but it is

hard to envisage an acceptable system of validation for the one

125 Queensgate, Bridlington YO16 7JQ

day lecture format.