Join a professional community working with Constructed Development Theory. Understand the standards of membership, the evidence behind Institute awards, and what our recognition means.
Award routes and programme arrangements are developing. Contact the Institute to confirm which assessments are currently available.
Membership
Join through your interest. Develop through your practice.
Membership brings people into the Institute’s professional community. It recognises a commitment to responsible engagement with CDT. A professional award requires the relevant evidence and assessment.
Who membership is for
We welcome enquiries from coaches, educators, researchers, consultants, leaders and others engaged in adult development. Therapists and psychologists can engage with CDT within their existing professional scope.
When you contact us, tell us:
About your background and current work.
What interests you about CDT and the Institute.
Whether you seek membership, assessed recognition, or both.
How you intend to use CDT in your practice or research.
You do not need to claim an AQ level to enquire. Developmental descriptions are contextual; they do not establish professional competence or personal worth.
01
Start a conversation
Send a membership enquiry to the Institute with a short introduction to your work and interests.
02
Confirm the requirements
The Institute explains the relevant eligibility requirements, any supporting evidence, membership terms and any fees before you commit.
03
Agree the standards
Members commit to ethical conduct, an appropriate scope of practice and accurate use of the Institute’s name and designations.
04
Receive confirmation
Membership begins when the Institute confirms admission. That confirmation specifies the membership wording and any badge you are authorised to use.
Assessed recognition
Four awards. Evidence at every level.
The Institute’s published framework recognises learning, applied practice, advanced judgement and sustained contribution. Attendance or membership alone does not confer an award. Prior learning may support an application when it can be evidenced against the relevant outcomes.
01 · Foundations
IAD Certificate in Constructed Development
Recognition of theoretical understanding and accurate use of CDT concepts.
Evidence
Structured learning portfolio
Conceptual analysis
Ethics and scope declaration
Assessment
Review against award outcomes
Written assessor feedback
Pass, revise or resubmit
02 · Applied practice
IAD Diploma in Constructed Developmental Practice
Recognition of safe, reflective application within the practitioner’s professional scope.
Evidence
Supervised practice record
Applied case portfolio
Reflective construction analysis
Assessment
Observed or recorded practice
Supervisor statement
Competence review and feedback
03 · Advanced practice
Advanced Practitioner of Constructed Development
Recognition of developmental judgement in complex practice and the integration of CDT.
Evidence
Advanced practice portfolio
Observed complex practice
Substantial applied project
Assessment
Independent external assessment
Formal viva
Recognition Board ratification
04 · Fellowship
Fellow of the Institute for Adult Development · FIAD
Recognition of sustained, demonstrable contribution to constructed development.
Evidence
Original body of work
Teaching, research or institutional impact
Contribution portfolio
Assessment
Two independent reviewers
Fellowship panel and viva
Formal conferral of FIAD
Before applying for an award, request the current entry criteria, evidence requirements, assessment process and continuing-standing conditions.
A badge communicates a specific status conferred by the Institute. Its meaning depends on the membership or award it identifies.
Affiliation
A membership badge
Identifies an admitted member and the membership status stated by the Institute. Membership alone does not establish assessed practitioner competence.
Assessed achievement
An award badge
Identifies the specific Institute award conferred after assessment. A Certificate concerns foundational understanding; practice and contribution awards have their own evidence requirements.
Use of recognition
Use the designation you have earned.
Display only badges and wording authorised by the Institute.
Name IAD as the issuer and state the complete membership or award title.
Represent the level, scope and current status accurately.
Follow any renewal, suspension or withdrawal conditions notified by the Institute.
Member standards
A shared responsibility for practice.
Members and recognised practitioners are expected to follow the Institute’s ethical principles, respect the limits of their competence and represent CDT responsibly.
01
Consent & care
Explain the work, agree its boundaries and protect confidential information. Respect the autonomy of clients and participants.
02
Scope & evidence
Work within your competence. Explain the limitations of frameworks and measures, and distinguish theoretical proposals from established findings.
03
Responsible language
Use AQ and TQ contextually. Treat Cognitive Intentions as directions of thinking, without turning them into fixed identities, diagnoses or rankings of worth.
04
Reflection & development
Examine your own part in the work, engage with feedback and meet the supervision, development and renewal conditions attached to your designation.
IAD sets the standards for recognition it confers and for work undertaken under its name. Its role covers its own membership, awards and affiliated network. Membership is voluntary.
Responsibility for decisions
The published recognition framework assigns the Recognition Board responsibility for standards, assessor appointments, decisions, conditions and the conferral or withdrawal of designations.
Fair assessment
The framework provides for declared conflicts, independent judgement, reasons for decisions and a route to appeal. Advanced awards include assessment independent of the candidate’s principal teaching or supervision.
Continuing standing
Practice designations carry obligations concerning development and ethical conduct. Renewal requirements and any conditions on use should be confirmed for the specific designation.
Raise a concern or ask about an appeal
Contact Global HQ to request the relevant complaints or appeals procedure and the appropriate person to handle the matter. If the concern involves the usual contact or decision-maker, state that a conflict needs to be addressed.
For an initial enquiry, provide a brief summary and avoid sending confidential client records. Ask how supporting material should be supplied.
Clear expectations about membership, recognition and public use.
Does joining make me a certified practitioner?
Membership establishes affiliation with the Institute. Practitioner recognition requires the evidence and assessment specified for the relevant award. You may enquire about both routes together.
Can experience or previous training count?
The recognition framework allows prior learning and experience to be mapped against award outcomes. Relevant evidence is assessed, and any gaps must be completed before an award is conferred.
When can I use a badge or FIAD?
Use begins only after the Institute has confirmed the relevant membership or award and authorised the wording or badge. FIAD is the designation attached to formally conferred Fellowship. An enquiry, course place or pending application does not confer it.
What does Institute recognition authorise?
It recognises Institute-defined learning, practice or contribution in CDT. It does not confer a UK degree, the title “Dr”, HCPC registration, chartered status, a licence to practise or a protected professional title. The current awards are presented as Institute awards; external validation or regulated status would need to be stated explicitly for a specific award.
Practitioners remain responsible for the qualifications and permissions required in their own profession and jurisdiction.
What are the fees and renewal requirements?
Ask the Institute for the current terms applicable to your membership or intended award, including any joining, assessment or renewal fees. Practice designations may require continuing development, supervision and periodic renewal; confirm the requirements and timing before committing.
Which routes are available now?
Membership is open for enquiries and admission. The four-award recognition framework is published, while programme arrangements continue to develop. Contact the Institute to confirm the current availability and next assessment point for a particular award.
Membership is open
Tell us about your work.
Introduce your background, your interest in CDT and what you hope to contribute or develop. We will explain the relevant membership or recognition route.