385: The Six-Question Rationale in the 2026 BACP Ethical Framework

What do we need to know, Rory?

Well, what we need to know is that in November of 2026, I think it's the 4th of November 2026, the BACP are issuing a new ethical framework.

And after that date, every therapist who's a member of the BACP has to work to that ethical framework every therapist every counselor every supervisor has to work to that framework and one of the things that is a theme throughout that framework is collaboration And it's baked in right into the middle of the framework, being collaborative with everyone that you come to work with, be it clients, or if you're working with your supervisor talking about clients, but also ethical decision-making.

Now, ethical decision-making matrixes or decision grids have been around for a number of years.

but this time in the framework the bacp are talking about something called a six question rationale and the rationale really means you know how you did something the steps you took to get to a conclusion and every therapist who's a member will now have to use that rationale to be able to justify their actions should they have an ethical dilemma with a client and you know i think this is i think this is very well much welcomed because it gives everybody a a a flat playing field to be on it gives supervisors um a set of questions to ask their supervisees if you've got an ethical problem it gives therapists a base to start using ethical decision making but here's the thing ken it is going to be mandatory which means that if you have a call to account this is going to form the basis of what we call uh ethical or defensible decision making and these six questions are designed to help you think about how you're making decisions how you're um thinking about the in in the best in the best uh thoughts of the of the clients

Yeah, it's important.

It's interesting.

And you spoke about the collaboration.

It's clearly evident in this.

And of course, you mentioned that this becomes mandatory.

It becomes mandatory if you are a member of the BACP and work to their ethical framework.

But as we've mentioned, when we've been introducing this framework as we've going along.

It's likely there's going to be a broader adoption of this as we look to other professional bodies.

They may be putting similar things in the ethical framework.

This is a way of thinking across our sector in counseling and psychotherapy, at least here in the United Kingdom.

And the word rational was it's not a word I use on a regular basis.

I'll be honest with you.

It's not in my everyday lingo.

here in North Wales, walking around talking about people, telling them about my rationale, French I think it is.

So for me, a really useful way of looking at this is, when we have an ethical challenge or something that we're facing, What our decision is, the outcome is one thing.

The rationale is how we reached that decision.

And we've spoken about it, writing down and keeping a record of your critical thinking.

And it's good practice anyway.

So I think this is very welcomed, Rory.

It's certainly welcome from my side that we see this.