Counselling

Counselling is a therapeutic process that involves a person talking with a trained counsellor to work through personal, emotional or psychological challenges.

It is a complex task that requires specialist training and supervision. An organisation that provides counselling should give clear guidance to its workers and community members around the provision of its counselling service. 

In terms of safeguarding, particular consideration needs to be given to: 

• Safer recruitment and training
• Codes of conduct 
• Boundaries of confidentiality
• Counselling children and young people 
• Trauma awareness  

Safer Recruitment and Training

Counsellors support people during highly challenging times, making counselling a vulnerable process involving sensitive and distressing issues. They may also work with children, young people and adults at risk, so safer recruitment processes, support and accountability are essential. Counsellors should hold appropriate qualifications, maintain professional accreditation, and complete regular safeguarding training to recognise signs of harm, know when and how to refer concerns, and work safely.

Codes of conduct

Codes of conduct set clear expectations for roles and are vital in counselling, where trust and vulnerability levels are high. Counselling should remain as separate as possible from other organisational activities, such as pastoral care, with distinct codes and role boundaries. Problems arise when roles are blurred - especially if the counsellor holds another position - so care is needed around power dynamics, confidentiality, expectations and safe boundaries.

Boundaries of confidentiality

Counsellors need to know when and how to raise safeguarding concerns appropriately. They need to be clear with the person receiving counselling on the limits of confidentiality from the beginning of the counselling relationship.

Counselling children and young people  

When children and young people seek counselling, there are complex issues about confidentiality and the parents’ right to know. Young people between 16 and 18 years of age are generally regarded as having the capacity and competence to consent to their own medical treatment, including counselling. 

Parent/carer consent to counselling for a child under 16 of age is regarded as good practice. 

If the child doesn't want this, you should explore why and, if appropriate, discuss ways you could help them inform their parents/carers e.g. by talking to the young person's parents/carers with them, or on their behalf. 

If the young person still wants to go ahead with counselling without their parents/carers’ knowledge or consent, you should consider whether the child is 'Gillick competent'. This may require additional training and expertise, seek advice if you are unsure.

Trauma Awareness

The trauma-aware principles of safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment are essential to healthy counselling arrangements. 

There are a number of ways to build in these principles. For example, finding out what a person would need to feel safe during counselling, being clear about what sessions involve and of the boundaries of confidentiality and support, enabling the person to set the agenda for sessions and only share what they are comfortable sharing. A person should be able to choose who delivers their counselling and if they want another person present to support them during sessions. It must be made clear that a person can stop sessions or change counsellors at any time. 

Things to consider

Distressed people are in a vulnerable state and may be susceptible to suggestion from a counsellor. This is why safer recruitment, codes of conduct, supervision and accountability processes are so important. 

Counselling for sexual abuse is particularly complex, requiring a great deal of skill and training and should only be delivered by those who are appropriately qualified. 

In situations of domestic abuse, it is never appropriate to counsel couples together. The power dynamics in an abusive relationship mean that the person experiencing harm is not free to engage safely and the perpetrator can manipulate sessions or use information shared in them to cause further harm.  

A person who has experienced harm and abuse should never be pressured to meet with or forgive the person who has harmed them.  

If your organisation is referring or signposting people to counselling services rather than providing them directly, it is important to be clear about where the limits of your responsibility lie and who people should contact if they have any concerns or complaints.