British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

that slightly but starting off Rory why are we speaking about clinical wills because I mean we're saying here this is a new requirement a clinical will is not really a new requirement but yet at the same time it is why are we discussing this now Rory?

well i think we're discussing you know i know we're discussing it now because on tuesday the 3rd of november 2026 a new bacp ethical framework will come into force i use the word force kind of advisedly um but those who are members of the BACP will in fact be working under a new ethical framework and in part of that ethical framework they have now stated that you need a clinical will it's mandatory from midday on Tuesday the 3rd of November 2026 and I have to say I think it's a welcome addition Ken because a lot of therapists are getting older now.

I speak for myself.

And what happens if a therapist becomes incapacitated or a therapist dies? Who contacts their clients? Who speaks to the clients? And I am sure, because I've been told this, that somebody has died, a therapist has died, and the bereaved partner of the therapist has phoned the clients up and you know that's a strain on the person who's been left behind and it's not good it really isn't good for clients um so a clinical will um is now man it will be mandatory it's always been in the framework In the 2008 framework, it really only asked to appoint someone.

But the 2026 framework actually names a document.

And the BACP aren't the only people, are they, Ken? Lots of other ethical bodies or professional bodies talk about clinical wills.

Very much so.

I mean, it's a topic that is important.

Hopefully today's topics are going to feed into that.

three stops on the journey from Rory and myself today we start off with ethical sustainable practice where we're looking at the latest update the BACP has a new ethical framework and that goes live as of November 2026 and we're going to be delving into that and today we're going to be looking at what the requirements are around data security in the new BACP ethical framework We then go into practice matters.

Rory, you've beautifully teed it up already, but I'll mention that it is, of course, Alison Letlow on working with adopted clients.

And a heads up, there's a CPD lecture coming your way on that one as well, if you're a member of our library.

2026 November, into effect comes the new ethical framework and significant changes, I have to say.

This is significant changes.

There's a lot to cover in the new BACP ethical framework.

So we're going to be looking today at data security in the new BACP ethical framework.

So you're a member of the TA world.

You are also a member of the UKCP, like me, and if you're a member of the BACP or whatever regulating body you are, you are required to make notes, for lots of different reasons.

Um, I've had the police call on me a few times, for example, and asked for my notes for clients and, um-

Yeah, me too

And also registered bodies.

I'm registered with a BACP.

Um, look online and you can type in your postcode if you go onto the BACP or UKCP, registered professional bodies that are there to help.

Mm-hmm.

I, I think as you were speaking there, Kate, I was feeling for those parents.

Yeah

... into NHS work, or you wanna be BACP registered, um, which is one of the regulating bodies.

I'm part of a regulated body, but sometimes-

But there must be several different bodies.

... fulfill your dream and your wish.

Maybe there are different routes to doing that.

I, I would look into BACP, um, British, uh, Association of, um, Counseling, Psychology, Psychotherapy, I think.

Can't actually remember what they stand for.

So the first thing to do when we think about getting reviews or testimonials or anything like that, the very first thing to do is to check your professional body, because there is not one universal rule that applies to every counselor and psychotherapist.

So within this podcast, I'm gonna be talking a bit more about the BACP and the UKCP because these are two professional bodies that many people listening to this will probably be familiar with.

But let's face it, they're not the only professional bodies out there, so please check the current ethical code and guidance of whichever professional body that you're registered with.

So the UKCP is very clear, which makes it really, really easy.

You can get on with your day.

So yeah, UKCP, no, you're not gonna do anything to do with reviews or testimonials or anything like that.

The BACP, it doesn't explicitly say that you can't use testimonials, so this is where it gets a little bit more nuanced.

So instead, there are ethical considerations that you need to think through for yourself.

So it makes sense.

And I'm really proud to be supporting the campaign as both a BACP registered therapist and of course, as a parent and parenting author.

So I know what it is to experience the overwhelm.

And I also know from my professional experience, the challenges that many parents, many parents are facing today are And the BACP have done this sort of incredible research, which has thrown up really, I mean, I think we should call it shocking statistics, although it doesn't surprise me because I'm obviously seeing, whether it's my friends or clients, of that real overwhelm and that sense of loss that can come and that sense of confusion.

Should it be like this? And really, that, that relationship where perhaps we're, we're parenting a lot more in isolation today.

And I think it's so important that, um, to say to, to all parents, look, we can absolutely feel that elation and joy.

If you are finding it challenging and it's, it's, really disturbing your sense of joy, then there is help out there.

And that's why I'm obviously a huge advocate of therapy.