This week we are describing the ethical, legal and procedural framework in which an agency operates.
I have chosen to explore Off The Record’s ethical policy as I have previously written about their agency in my work. Overall, it is the policy of the agency for all counsellors, whether they are fully qualified or trainees to adhere to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. I’ve also written extensively about the BACP’s Ethical Framework, so I can see how it would ensure safe and ethical working. As well as offering free counselling for young people, they also offer weekly check-ins with potential clients while they are waiting for counsellors, and these phone calls are carried out by volunteers that may not necessarily be counsellors or counsellors in training – and as such they have to abide the agencies guidelines rather than the BACP’s Ethical Framework.
I think it’s good that they use the BACP’s guidelines; they are thoroughly researched and very well-thought out, robust to challenges and presented clearly. They also only allow volunteer counsellors that are registered with the BACP – this ensures that the counsellors themselves know what the ethical requirements are. This, in my opinion, also makes the impact on how the counsellors work very low, as they are not required to drastically change the way they practise to volunteer at Off The Record.
Legal processes and the law are very well defined and clear, black and white if you will, whereas sometimes the work of counsellors and agencies can be various shades of grey. Confidentiality is one such area where the law can impact on an agency; counsellors are expected to keep what is said in the room as confidential, indeed it helps greatly in deepening the therapeutic relationship, but they are also encouraged to report suspected acts of terrorism, drug-trafficking or money-laundering. In an agency such as Off The Record, I can imagine the kinds of things teenagers and young adults would like to keep secret, and this is important, but on the other hand, if they or anyone they know are in danger then it must be reported to the relevant authorities.
