The Care Programme Approach Association (CPAA) has been established to support the implementation, operation, and development of the Care Programme Approach. The Association has been in operation on an informal basis since 1993, giving support to people involved in implementing the CPA, particularly CPA Coordinators and Managers. Membership grew considerably, which led to the need for more formal arrangements in 1996. The Association is endorsed by the Department of Health in their document ‘Modernising the CPA’, and membership is recommended in the CPA Audit pack.

The Purpose of the Association

The main purposes and functions of the CPA Association are to:

• Act as a managed network, collecting, analysing, and disseminating information on the CPA to its members
• To lend support to all those involved in the operation of the CPA
• Develop and share good practice
• Seek to influence national policy, strategy and activity, as well as regional and local processes and protocols
• Develop and influence the provision of high quality relevant training to all involved in the operation of the CPA

Membership of the Association

Mental Health Service providers (both health and social services by trust, locality or directorate), Mental Health Service Commissioners, Non-Statutory Agencies, Professional Bodies, and User Organisations are eligible to join the Association, although the Association reserves the right to refuse membership. The Association is funded through annual subscriptions from member organisations, and the cost is reviewed annually. Each member joining the Association can nominate up to three representatives, additional representatives can be nominated foran extra fee.

The Structure of the Association

The CPA Association is organised on a National basis, with members in NHS Regional Executive areas nominating regional representatives to a CPAA committee. From this committee the Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, together with their deputies, are elected. Activities of the Association The CPA Association holds bi-monthly national meetings (one including the Annual General Meeting), with regional meetings in between these. The Chair and others are seconded to work a number of hours each month for the Association, usually promoting the CPA within the regions, or dealing with national issues on behalf of the CPAA. The Association acts as a ‘clearing house’ for members of information relating to the CPA. The CPAA journal The Approach is produced quarterly. Training events and workshops are held with the aim of promoting guidance on issues relating to the CPA.

Contact Information