Introductory description

This module aims to situate counselling in a professional, ethical, legal and organisational context. You will learn the importance of working within a clearly defined ethical and legal framework. You will become familiar with the BACP Ethical Framework and use it to explore the process of making difficult ethical decisions as a professional practitioner, understanding the potential implications for clients and yourself. Fundamental practice issues such as confidentiality and its limits, informed consent, dual relationships, professional assessment and case formulation, anti-discriminatory practice and safeguarding will be covered, in line with BACP Accredited course standards.

You will prepare for your professional practice placement, developing your organisational awareness by learning about the variety of settings in which counselling takes place, and consider issues around working in a multi-disciplinary team. We will also consider the specific ethical, procedural and professional requirements involved in working online and on the telephone with clients.

You'll explore these concepts through formal lectures, group discussions and experiential exercises in a variety of group contexts, including beginning to apply relevant counselling qualities to professional development group work with peers in the classroom. This aligns to QAA Benchmarks (section 3.5 on Theory, 3.9 on Professional Development, as well as elements of 3.7 Professional Skills Practice and 3.8 Personal Development), BACP Core Training elements (B2.15 developing ethical competence, B3.7 on Knowledge, B4.6, B4.9 and B4.10 working within an Ethical Framework) and ScoPEd framework themes (1 Professional Framework, 5 Self Awareness and Reflection).

You'll develop key employability and academic skills linked to the Warwick Award Core Skills as you work together in self directed research groups, developing Teamwork skills, Professionalism and Problem Solving.
You will also apply your learning about safe and ethical practice, exploring contextual and ethical situations, and will apply your learning about this to your work with others on the course, developing Warwick Award Core Skills of Ethical Values, Organisational Awareness, Professionalism, and Sustainability.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Understanding and application of the BACP Ethical Framework and legal issues within counselling practice.
Process and procedures for ethical and legal decision making.
Contracting and professional boundaries, including confidentiality, information sharing, note taking and record keeping; managing risk, safeguarding and suicide; multi agency and joint working, including referral pathways and professional issues in regard to mental health; complaints process and professional responsibilities.
Awareness of the legal context of delivering counselling, including the Equality Act and other relevant legislation.
Specific ethical and contextual considerations involved in working in different contexts such as online, on the telephone and face to face with clients.
Individual research of a counselling agency.
Self care and compassion fatigue resilience.
Working in small groups, and theories of group dynamics.
Guest speakers on the module will include central University Wellbeing and Conduct services, and University Report and Support service will deliver their core workshops.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Apply the BACP Ethical Principles to example practice scenarios
• Describe how a range of key legal and professional obligations are enacted in one specific counselling agency
• Identify local counselling provision with a particular focus on equality of access
• Describe aspects of own personal values and ethics related to counselling practice
• Apply understanding of group processes to own work in small groups including in professional development groups and research groups

Indicative reading list

Specific reading list for the module

Research element

Students will be asked to research best practice in contexts of counselling practice

Interdisciplinary

Theories of group work are drawn from a variety of disciplines
Interdisciplinary critical approaches to anti discriminatory practice

Subject specific skills

Identify key legal, ethical and professional requirements and principles and their application in counselling.
Ethical decision making in a professional counselling context.
Relationship building in groups and other course contexts.
Empathy and the ability to listen carefully and reflect back in the helping context.
Formative assessment and formulation of client needs.
Anti-discriminatory practice.

Transferable skills

This module aligns with the Warwick Award core skills framework
Formative ethical decision-making and problem solving skills sometimes with incomplete information
Capacity to understand and evaluate debates on sensitive professional areas, understanding potentially conflicting perspectives from across an organisation
Understanding of the profession of counselling and issues of sustainability in the profession
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and develop digital literacy skills
Ability to work in small groups, with some understanding of the dynamics of such groups
Ability to form good, supportive, challenging and trusting relationships with others in which sensitive personal material can be considered
Anti-discriminatory practice