Head of Regulation in London

Welcome from the CEO. Please note: we are actively interviewing as applications come in, and may offer the role if we find the right candidate and close the job early. Do get in touch if you would like to discuss the role before putting in an application. Thank you for your interest in joining our team.

We are the leading professional association and a Professional Standards Authority Voluntary Accredited Register for the psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy profession in the UK. With a small team of twelve, based at our offices in North London, and with an annual turnover of c£900k we regulate the profession, adjudicating on complaints and maintaining professional standards. We enjoy a reputation for high clinical and professional standards within the counselling and psychotherapy profession and, unlike other similar organisations, we are purely psychoanalytic in our focus.

This role requires someone with strong experience within a regulatory environment who will be responsible for leading the regulatory function of the organisation, continuing to embed and encourage culture change within the organisation, our Member Institutions and Registrants. We are looking for an experienced regulatory solicitor who is looking for a new challenge of working within a small organisation with a wide reach.

You will understand the context we work in, including regulatory frameworks, and will be a highly effective, engaging manager and leader who embraces the potential of the BPC as we continue to develop. Most importantly, you will be able to demonstrate a commitment to psychoanalysis, both as a way of thinking about society and as a method of treatment.

For the right candidate, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of an ambitious, friendly organisation where your voice, your ideas and your contribution will have a critical impact on our success.

Reporting to Chief Executive

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full time (35 hours per week)

Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 FTE

Location: Hybrid, at least one day a week in the office. Suite 7, 19-23 Wedmore Street, London N19 4RU

Benefits: 28 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (for full time), and employer pension contribution.

• Fitness to Practise Complaints: Expeditiously, and effectively manage and progress Fitness to Practise cases from initial receipt to Final Hearing, including appeals.
• Ability to oversee all aspects of scheduling hearing cases, with the support of the Senior Paralegal, from commencement to conclusion.
• Ensure Fitness to Practise outcomes are correctly updated on the website and shared with any relevant third parties.
• Manage internal and external relationships connected to complaints; chambers, legal advisors, clinical experts, the Screening Committee, Hearing Panellists.
• Continuously identify and address areas of improvement in the complaints and surrounding processes.

• Line manage the Senior Paralegal in accordance with BPC HR processes.
• Responsibility for drafting guidance for Registrants; whether autonomously or in conjunction with clinicians, updating existing policies and procedures, drafting Board papers, and providing Fitness to Practise data to the Board and the Ethics Committee.
• Providing training and/or organising the delegation of Panellist training to external providers.
• Providing relevant Fitness to Practise training to BPC staff, the Board of Trustees, Member Institutions and Committees.

• Working as part of the small Senior Leadership Team to both develop the strategic interests of BPC, improve processes across the organisation as well respond flexibly to the day to day needs of the organisation.
• Deputise for CEO when needed.
• Support with management of other staff within the organisation, whilst acting as a role model both internally and externally.
• Working closely with the Board of Trustees to keep them updated on and making recommendations for regulatory matters (where appropriate).

• Responsibility for and/or contributing to the drafting of the BPC's PSA reaccreditation report and responding to ad hoc requests for information from the PSA.
• Maintain an ongoing relationship with the Professional Standards Authority.
• Liaising with the BPC's legal advisors on complaints and all other regulatory matters.

• Collaborate on training and registration policies where necessary to ensure they align with Fitness to Practise processes and best practice.
• Working alongside the Registrar, help establish and consolidate the governance of any newly incorporated Member Institutions, including their professional standards and ethics structures.

• Undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as from time to time may be required as agreed with the Chief Executive.
• Attending some evening and occasional weekend committee meetings and other events related to the duties of the post as agreed with the Chief Executive.

• Essential: Legal practitioner qualification with at least 5 years PQE.
• Demonstrable strong experience gained within a statutory health regulator(s) or equivalent.
• Experience of working autonomously and managing a demanding caseload.
• Excellent communication skills and maturity in dealing with colleagues and organisations.
• Commitment to BPC's approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.

• Experience of senior management in a similar organisation.
• Experience of budget setting and management.