083 – BACP Ethical Framework 2018

This episode is dedicated to the BACP Ethical Framework 2018 update. Rory Lees-Oakes interviews Professor Tim Bond, who serves as consultant to the BACP on its Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.







Tim is also the author of Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action (4th edition) (Sage, 2015).







On 1 July 2018, the BACP launched its new Ethical Framework; this updates the previous edition, and pulls together the views of the BACP and its members on what is appropriate in counselling and psychotherapy.







Click Here to view and download a copy of the BACP Ethical Framework from the BACP website.















BACP Ethical Framework 2018 - Overview of the update:







Two years have passed since the BACP undertook a major revamp of their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, and on the 1st July 2018, a further significant update will come into force, following a major consultation of the membership.







The BACP's ethical framework provides a guiding document for its membership, including counsellors, psychotherapists, trainees, supervisors and training providers, which aims to promote best practice and outline our commitments to clients.



























So what changes will we see in the updated framework, and how will they influence our practice?







Here is a summary of the key updates to be aware of:









Emphasis on our commitment to clients - The ethical framework is a collaborative document which details the commitment that we, as practitioners have towards our clients.Our commitment to putting our clients first, our responsibilities towards our clients, and particularly the duty to provide an "appropriate standard of service" are made explicit in the new framework.











Trainees - The new framework incorporates a section outlining the responsibilities of trainees in their work with clients, and also when working in an academic setting. This section covers the responsibility to inform clients that you are still a therapist in training - this is about your integrity as a practitioner and the client's right to be made fully aware of the service they are receiving.Similarly, the framework outlines that recordings or case study documentation of client material should be made only with client permission, or where the details have been anonymised so as to be completely unrecognisable.Trainees are also reminded that they are responsible for their own practice, including working within their competence and promptly raising any issues with their placement, supervisor and/or training provider as appropriate.











Gender identity and sexual orientation - the BACP make explicit that the profession upholds the value that all gender and sexual identities are equal, and that we reject so-called 'conversion therapy', never seeking to suppress or change anybody's sexual or gender identity.











Breaks, endings and post-therapy relationships with clients - The BACP Ethical Framework 2018 provides detailed guidance around how we manage endings with our clients. This includes our responsibility to discuss time-limitations at the contracting stage, give appropriate notice of breaks and changes to the therapy frame (including termination) and to manage endings empathically, in a way which minimises disruption for the client.Provision also must be in place for an unexpected incapacitation or death of a therapist, so the client can be informed of the unplanned ending ethically and maintaining confidentiality.The framework also provides guidance on exercising appropriate caution when forming relationships with former c...