The main purpose of PPS (Psychologists Protection Society) is to provide members with assistance when complaints are received from clients.
Begun in the early 1970s, its members included trainees and qualified persons working in the listening and talking therapies.
PPS provides a wider range of cover and indemnities than other organisations by combining a membership contract and an insurance contract. This allows the limitations of insurance to be covered by the flexible benefits of the membership contract.
Although originally limited to providing cover for psychologists, members now include counsellors, psychotherapists, doctors, art, music, dramatherapists and similar related groups.
The main problem today is complaints made to professional societies. As a disciplinary tribunal is not a court of law, alternative arrangements to professional indemnity insurance have to be made to assist members and enable their point of view to be heard. PPS provides advice and assistance which importantly is independent of one's professional organisation.
The cover provided by PPS is designed to offer assistance when unforseen claims arise which are not covered by insurance contracts. The substantial PPS accumulated reserves (over £600,000) together with the willingness to make quick decisions when necessary, are an important extra protection for members.
The reserves have been contributed by members and are held in trust for members by banks and building societies in the UK and Eire. Unlike an insurance company, they are owned by members. The reserves, after payment of outstanding legal bills, would be refunded to current members if PPS were to stop business.
PPS is committed to education. From time to time we publish leaflets which have been written to help enquirers and members understand the scientific background to what we offer.