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UKATA TA Diploma in TA Practice

UKATA TA Diploma in TA Practice

Introduction


The UKATA Diploma in Transactional Analysis is recognition of an individual successfully completing 360 hours of Transactional Analysis (TA) training within UKATA Registered Training Establishment(s) (RTE)(s) and completion of a period of practice and personal development. The award of the diploma is endorsed by the RTE and the practitioner’s TA Supervisor (TSTA, PTSTA, STA, CTA Trainer), from within the same field of application as the applicant. For psychotherapy applicants we also ask for a signature from the applicant’s therapist to verify therapy hours, if necessary, this can be a letter from the therapist confirming the trainees therapy hours.


For students currently in training, the individual will need to remain a member of UKATA and registered with an RTE in order that their overall journey to application for the award can be monitored. (For those who have completed their training and are applying for the UKATA Diploma retrospectively, please see grand parenting option below).


The Diploma is intended as a UKATA endorsement to practice within the applicant’s chosen field of application (i.e., Psychotherapy, Counselling, Education, or Organisation). Presently, the UKATA Diploma is only available in the Psychotherapy field because there are no RTEs for other fields. It is intended that this system will be expanded to include training in organisational, educational and counselling fields when an RTE is established offering this.


A point to note is that the UKATA Diploma in Transactional Analysis is NOT an EATA qualification and therefore once the Diploma is achieved, the EATA advertising requirements for students still apply (for more information please see the UKATA Advertising policy or EATA Principles of Advertising).


All queries regarding the Diploma should be sent to the UKATA administrator for the attention of TASC (Training and Accreditation Standards Committee).


Criteria for the UKATA Diploma in Transactional Analysis


For an individual to achieve the UKATA TA Diploma they will need to meet the following criteria:

  • 360 hours of TA Training delivered by an RTE*

  • 6 x assessments (it is recommended that the applicant complete not more than 2 of any one type of assessment. Types could include written assignments, reflective journals, case studies, supervised practice reports, oral examinations). It will be the decision of the RTE what form the required assessments will take. The only required type of assessment is an oral examination of the candidate’s work, where the individual presents a recorded piece of their work to a panel and answers questions on the practice and their work. Again, the form of this oral presentation is to be decided by the RTE in question.  All assessments will be left to the discretion of the RTE and charged for as part of the RTEs costs.

  • 200 hours of supervised practice working in the field of specialisation.*

  • 34 hours of supervision with a TA supervisor from the same field of specialisation as the applicant.*

  • 120 hours of personal development work (for psychotherapy applicants this needs to be psychotherapy congruent with the style the trainee will be practising for a minimum of 40 hours per year for a minimum of 3 years and normally throughout the duration of their training. This personal psychotherapy must be with a UKCP registered psychotherapist, BPC registered psychotherapist, or a CTA who is a current member of EATA or the ITAA and who is not their trainer or supervisor). Until July 2024 TASC will accept a total of 12 Therapy Marathon hours as per the previous information.

  • For organisational, educational and counselling applicants the form of the personal development work would need to be defined in negotiation with their RTE.

  • Evidence of UKATA membership for the duration of training. For past members wishing to access the UKATA Diploma in retrospect they would need to show that they are currently a member of UKATA.

  • A TA Supervisor’s endorsement (PTSTA, STA or TSTA qualified) indicating competency to practice.

  • A letter of endorsement from the main trainer with regard to the applicant’s competence.

  • A sign-off for the 120 hours personal development work (by the therapist in the case of psychotherapy applicants and the RTE for applicants from counselling, education, or organisation fields)

  • A TA trainer’s endorsement from the RTE with whom they are registered, indicating successful completion of training and all required assessments.


If extenuating circumstance led to the applicant has not able to meet the requirements, then an accompanying letter, explaining the situation needs to be submitted with the application. All information received will remain confidential.


*If the applicant is working in a specialised field e.g., working with children and young people they need to evidence in their application the specialised training that they have received in order to work with this client group and also evidence specialist supervision, with a suitably qualified children and adolescent supervisor.


The Process


Applicants can apply for the UKATA Diploma in Transactional Analysis by using the UKATA Diploma in Transactional Analysis registration form, and referring to the following Checklist. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all appropriate sections of the registration form are completed and endorsed where applicable. Supporting documentation will also need to be provided where requested.


On receipt, the UKATA TASC will review the registration form. In the event that all criteria are appropriately met they will inform the UKATA Administrator that a Diploma Certificate can be issued. 


Should any criteria be incorrect or missing the office will contact the applicant and inform them of what they need to supply for a successful application.


Grand-parenting


It is intended that all UKATA members, who have previously completed this level of training, may access the Award.


For anyone applying for the UKATA TA Diploma who has undertaken their training within the RTE system (which started in 2008), they would need to ensure they meet the following:  all of the criteria for the UKATA Diploma are met, that they are registered with an RTE of their choice who offers this process, that they are a member of UKATA. They can then complete the UKATA Diploma in Transactional Analysis Registration from and provide relevant sign-offs and documentation.


For anyone applying for the UKATA Diploma in Transactional Analysis who undertook their training prior to 2008, or who has trained within an RTE but not completed all of the required criteria for the UKATA Diploma they may be able to access the UKATA Diploma via an RTE Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process. 


RTE APL/APE processes for the Diploma are at the discretion of the RTE in question and would entail the RTE being satisfied that the applicant meets all the UKATA Diploma requirements. This is likely to involve additional work and costs, which are at the discretion of the RTE. It is the decision of the RTE whether they provide an APL/APE or not for this award, and the decision of the student which RTE they choose to register with.


Applications for the Diploma:


The fee of £50 is payable upon submission of the application. Payment of fees does not guarantee the granting of a UKATA Diploma, and the fee is for processing and assessing your application. The UKATA Diploma is only open to UKATA members. 


Once your application fee has been paid, your application will be forwarded to TASC for consideration. There are no deadlines for submission. The TASC would hope to let the candidate know the outcome of their deliberations within a month of receipt of the application.


Cancellation of applications:


Applications for the UKATA Diploma can be withdrawn at any time by the applicant. However, fees are non-refundable after the initial period of 14 days.   


Should the applicant wish to reapply in the future following a withdrawal of a previous application, the relevant fee will be payable again.


Continuing Professional Development


Once the applicant has been awarded the UKATA Diploma they will come under the UKATA CPD Policy and expected to provide CPD returns unless they are also a Contractual Trainee in which case, they will be required to complete the Student Annual Summary and contract for professional development form. It is the applicant’s responsibility to keep records of any CPD/Training.


Appeals Process


The UKATA Diploma provides a student with the ability to advertise as a Diploma holder and work with Clients. UKATA have an ethical responsibility to maintain standards and integrity of the award. This policy is for RTEs as well as candidates applying for the UKATA Diploma and needs to be read in conjunction with (Diploma Requirements and Application process).


This section sets out the procedures that candidates and RTEs should follow if they wish to make an appeal regarding the assessment and award of the UKATA Diploma.


Appeals can be made for the following reasons:


  • If a student has been unsuccessful in gaining the UKATA Diploma.

  • If a student has been granted a conditional Diploma and given requirements to fulfil within a time frame.

  • If procedural errors have been identified.

  • If ethical or professional practice issues have been identified.


Procedure:


  • Write to UKATA outlining the reasons for your appeal within 28 days of notification of the award result. The letter should be addressed to UKATA Council Chair and TASC Chair. If the grounds for the appeal fall under point number 4 above the appeal should be sent to the Chair of EPPC.

  • The appeal should contain any supporting evidence to support the appeal.

  • UKATA will acknowledge the appeal in writing within 7 days of receipt.

  • UKATA will investigate the appeal and respond to you within 28 days. The UKATA Chair in conjunction with the Chair of TASC will appoint a case manager and an investigator who will be two people not involved in the original assessment. This response may request further information or present a final decision.

  • If the candidate or RTE are not satisfied, on ethical or professional practice grounds, with the outcome of the appeal process they may make a complaint to the UKATA Ethics and Professional Practice Committee. In the event of an organizational complaint this matter can be referred to UKATA’s arbitration process.

  • If the candidate or the RTE are not satisfied, on ethical or professional practice grounds with the outcome of the appeal they may appeal to EATA

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