Onboarding
Join Afya Companion
Five ways in. Patients and families are in straight away. Anyone who will work with a seriously ill person — counsellor, dietitian, caregiver or care institution — is verified first.
Choose your role
Patient
I am the person living with the condition
Anyone with a diagnosis — new, long-standing, in treatment, in remission or receiving palliative care.
Immediate — there is nothing to verify
Family member or loved one
Someone I love is ill
Partners, adult children, parents, siblings and close friends — including those supporting from a distance.
Immediate — unless you are acting on someone's behalf
Counsellor or psychologist
I provide psychological support
Registered counsellors, psychotherapists, clinical and counselling psychologists, and psychiatric social workers.
7 required documents · 5–10 working days
Dietitian or nutritionist
I provide nutrition and dietetic care
Registered dietitians and registered nutritionists working in clinical, community or private practice.
6 required documents · 5–10 working days
Caregiver or care provider
I provide hands-on care — as an individual or an institution
Care assistants, nurses, home carers and palliative care workers; and hospices, home care agencies, nursing homes and hospitals.
8 required documents · 10–15 working days, including reference and regulator checks
Already applied?
Why we ask professionals for documents
- The people using Afya Companion are seriously ill, frightened, and often unable to check anyone's credentials themselves.
- Families let caregivers into their homes and leave them alone with someone vulnerable.
- A counsellor working outside their competence with a dying patient can do real harm.
- Nutrition advice given to someone on dialysis, or in liver failure, can be dangerous if it comes from the wrong hands.
- Regulators exist so that someone struck off in one place cannot simply start again in another. Checking with them is the point.
How verification works
1. You apply
You complete the form and upload your documents. You can stop and come back — everything is saved on your device until you submit.
2. Documents checked
We read every document, check the names match, and confirm nothing has expired.
3. Regulator and referees contacted
We verify your registration directly with the council or board that issued it, and contact your supervisor or referees.
4. Conversation
A short call about your experience, your scope of practice, and how you handle risk and escalation.
5. Verified
You are listed and can start taking referrals. We re-check registration, insurance and clearance annually, and whenever a document expires.
What each professional role must provide
Gather these before you start — the form saves as you go, but it is quicker in one sitting.
Counsellor or psychologist
- AcademicDegree or diploma in counselling, psychology or psychotherapy
- StatutoryProfessional registration or licence
- StatutoryCurrent practising certificate
- InsuranceProfessional indemnity insurance
- SafeguardingPolice or criminal record clearance
- ReferencesConfirmation of clinical supervision
- IdentityGovernment photo identification
Dietitian or nutritionist
- AcademicDegree in dietetics or human nutrition
- StatutoryRegistration with the dietetics or nutrition council
- StatutoryCurrent practising certificate
- InsuranceProfessional indemnity insurance
- SafeguardingPolice or criminal record clearance
- IdentityGovernment photo identification
Caregiver or care provider — an individual caregiver
- AcademicCare or nursing qualification
- StatutoryFirst aid or basic life support certificate
- SafeguardingPolice or criminal record clearance
- Occupational healthOccupational health and immunisation record
- ReferencesTwo professional references
- IdentityGovernment photo identification
Caregiver or care provider — an organisation or institution
- StatutoryHealth facility operating licence
- StatutoryCompany or non-profit registration certificate
- StatutoryTax compliance or exemption certificate
- Clinical governanceNamed clinician's professional registration
- InsuranceProfessional indemnity and public liability insurance
- SafeguardingSafeguarding policy for vulnerable adults and children
- SafeguardingStaff vetting statement
- IdentityPhoto identification of the authorised signatory
What we are not
Afya Companion offers education and self-help support. It does not diagnose, treat or replace care from your doctor, nurse, psychologist or dietitian. If something in your health changes, speak to your care team.