2000
Play Therapy (UK) – The United Kingdom Society for Play and
Creative Arts Therapies Limited (known in short as PTUK) was originally set
up in October 2000 as Play Therapy UK. It was established as an alternative
governing body and professional organisation to provide a choice for
practitioners of and anyone interested in using therapeutic play, play
therapy or creative arts therapies to help children with emotional literacy,
behaviour and mental health problems.
It was felt, by a number of practitioners at that time, that the existing
professional association was too restrictive in its membership criteria, had
course accreditation standards that did not meet the needs to produce the
large numbers of safe and effective practitioners that are required in the
United Kingdom and was insufficiently open or innovative in its policies.
Since then PTUK has grown to be the largest organisation in the UK in the
field of therapeutic play and play therapy and has a proud record of
innovation.
2001
PTUK introduced the ‘
Spectrum
of Needs’ and ‘
Therapeutic
Play Continuum ‘ concepts that recognise that children have a wide range
of emotional, behaviour and mental health problems and that professionals
with a variety of interventions and skill levels can safely and effectively
alleviate these conditions.
A new
Ethical System introduced to provide better protection for both the
public and therapists. This incorporates an ethical framework, professional
conduct procedure and a
clinical governance
requirement which places PTUK in the forefront of setting high professional
standards.
2002
PTUK developed the
Profession
Structure Model (PSM), based on a competency framework, using the
experience of a number of international play therapists. This was the first
major innovation concerning the organisation of the profession since it
started in the UK. It provides a basis for:
- clear communication with commissioners and users of the therapies
- guidance upon the selection and recruitment of therapists
- career planning
- the identification of training and CPD needs
- the design of training courses and programmes
- setting remuneration scales
- job performance appraisal
PTUK affiliates to Play Therapy International (PTI) to share best
practice around the world.
Web site
www.playtherapy.org.uk launched
SEPACTO
research project funded by PTUK, development started.
2003
PTUK opens
www.playtherapyshop.com
to provide an on-line subscription renewal, event booking and convenient way
of acquiring other products and services.
PTUK mandates the use of clinical governance for trainees seeking certification.
SEPACTO operational - first research report generated
PTUK accredits the first MA in Practised Based Play Therapy programme in
the UK, designed and run by the
Academy of
Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC) in a collaborative partnership
with the University College Chichester. This is a modular post graduate play
therapy training programme in three parts: Certificate in Therapeutic Play
Skills, Diploma in Play Therapy and MA by Dissertation.
2004
PTUK in association with PTI organised the World Congress in Play Therapy
This was the largest international event of its type held anywhere with over
70 workshops/sessions and attended by over 400 delegates from 29 countries.
First time in the United Kingdom.
PTUK set up The Play Therapy Press Ltd to republish classic out of print
play therapy books and innovative new titles to assist students undertaking
play therapy training.
2006
The PSM and competency framework have a major revision to include filial
play. The proposed use of the term 'Filial Play Coach/Mentor' is
adopted, after a members' referendum. APAC, PTUK's sister
organisation, designs the UK's first Certificate in Filial Play
Coaching and Mentoring. Membership passes the 1000 mark.
