In 1990, members of an informal association, the British Paediatric Cardiology Group, developed a written constitution for an Association and sought affiliation with the British Cardiovascular Society. The aims of the Association were to promote the study and care of infants and children with heart diseases in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland; to promote and disseminate study data pertaining to these problems; to support the works of specialist centres and to promote communication and co-operation between centres. The Association aimed to provide a voice for paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery within any committee or organisation making decisions, which have a bearing on the future development of the speciality.

In 2004, this remit was extended to include specialists working with the rapidly growing population of adults with congenital heart disease and the developing subspecialty of fetal cardiology. The name of the organisation was changed to British Congenital Cardiac Association (BCCA) to reflect this new direction.

Ordinary Membership of the Association is open to all medical practitioners of consultant or equivalent level, and others, whose primary interest is in the practice or research of congenital heart disease in the adult or heart diseases in the fetus or child, who are resident in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland at the time of the application. Associate and Corresponding Memberships are available for individuals training in the field and overseas specialists with a clear and continuing link with congenital heart disease or paediatric and fetal cardiology in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. In addition, Commercial and Retired Membership are available to individuals engaged in the provision of commercial support services for the benefit of the adult with congenital heart disease or the fetus or child with heart diseases and senior members of the BCCA after retirement from full time employment.

The Association meets annually in the autumn when one of the specialist centres hosts the Annual Scientific Meeting.