Professional Associations

Body Control Pilates Association (BCPA)

The Body Control Pilates Association is the UK leader in Pilates teacher training. Since it ran its first course in 1996, it has gained a reputation for quality with more than 650 graduates working as Body Control Pilates teachers. The initial matwork teacher training course (the pre-requisite to membership) is probably the most comprehensive course available in the UK. Early in 2006 the Body Control Pilates Association became the first specialist Pilates training provider to have their course approved against the national standard for Pilates, that was introduced in the UK in August 2005.  Body Control Pilates instructors meet that standard and are eligible for entry on the Register of Exercise Professionals at level 3. All members of the Body Control Pilates Association adhere to a strict code of practice, which ensures the highest teaching standards, professional ethics and continuing education.

® The BCPA Logo is the Registered Trade Mark
of the Body Control Pilates Association

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

“Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement and maximising potential: 

• it uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking account of variations in health status 

• it is science-based, committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins and informs its practice and delivery

• the exercise of clinical judgement and informed interpretation is at its core.”

(The above definition is taken from the CSP curriculum framework (January 2002) and is quoted from the CSP website.)

A charted physiotherapist is entitled to use the initials M.C.S.P. (Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) after their name.  Membership follows the qualification of a three year degree course (or equivalent) and means that the member is entitled to be registered with the regulatory body for physiotherapists: the Health Professions Council (or HPC). The HPC is an independent, UK-wide health regulator for thirteen different professions including physiotherapy.  Continued membership of the HPC requires maintaining a continued professional development portfolio.

Ensuring that a physiotherapist is both chartered and registered guarantees that:

• their qualification is properly recognised 

• they are governed by a professional code of conduct

• they are covered by professional liability insurance