Working in partnership with PBE (formerly Pro Bono Economics), we're gathering evidence to better understand and demonstrate the contribution that third sector counselling services make to people's mental health and wellbeing, and the wider social and economic value they create.
Why we're doing this
Our 2024 report, Bridging the Gaps, highlighted the vital role that third sector counselling services play in supporting people who often find it difficult to access help elsewhere and the importance of specialist services in removing barriers to therapy. It also highlighted the growing pressures many services face, including increasing demand, funding challenges and workforce constraints.
Our recent report An Unstable Partnership detailed the high rates of referral and signposting to third sector counselling services from the NHS without recognition or funding, with services unable to meet demand, having to close waiting lists, and in some cases being forced to close their doors for good, due to lack of funding.
Through this project, we want to strengthen the evidence base for the outcomes achieved by third sector counselling services and the value they deliver for individuals, communities and public services.
The findings will help us build a stronger case to commissioners, funders and policymakers about the importance of investing in counselling provision across the third sector.
Who can contribute?
We'd like to hear from third sector organisations involved in delivering counselling services, as well as from evaluators and researchers.
- third sector, community-based and specialist counselling services
- organisations supporting specific groups and communities, including services supporting people affected by trauma, services for minoritised communities, and services supporting survivors of sexual violence
- BACP organisational members and other counselling providers
- researchers and evaluators with relevant evidence or data
Whether your organisation uses recognised outcome measures, locally developed tools or other approaches to understanding impact, we'd like to hear from you.
What information can you share?
We're interested in evidence that you already collect or hold. We're not asking organisations to gather any new data.
This could include:
- information about your organisation and the counselling services you provide
- service evaluations and impact reports
- outcome data from routine monitoring or evaluation activities
- published research or evidence about your service
- anonymised, aggregated information such as:
- numbers of clients supported
- changes in client outcomes
- service completion rates
- service costs
- referral pathways or funding arrangements
- reflections on what has worked well when measuring outcomes, and any challenges you've encountered
You can also share links to published reports, evaluations or research.
How your evidence will be used
The evidence submitted will help inform a national economic evaluation of third sector counselling services.
The findings will:
- strengthen understanding of the value and impact of third sector counselling
- help ensure the experiences of specialist and community-based services are represented in the evidence base
- support BACP's engagement with commissioners, funders and government
- contribute to recommendations about future investment in counselling services
Frequently asked questions
Will the information I provide be kept confidential?
Information submitted through this call for evidence will be stored securely and only accessed by those directly involved in the project.
Please don't send any client-level or identifiable information. Anonymised, aggregated data is all we need.
We may publish an overall summary of the findings, but we will not identify individual organisations or share organisation-specific information without permission.
Some of our services are funded through NHS or other statutory bodies. Can I still contribute?
Yes. We welcome evidence from all your services, however they're funded. If you can, please tell us how each service is funded, as this helps our analysis.
Can I contribute anonymously?
Yes. We may wish to acknowledge contributing organisations in published outputs. If you would prefer your organisation or contribution not to be identified, please indicate this when making your submission and we will respect your wishes.
What will happen to the evidence submitted?
Evidence will be reviewed and analysed by PBE as part of the research project.
The findings will be shared with BACP’s Third Sector Expert Reference Group and will inform a wider economic evaluation of third sector counselling services.
When will the findings be published?
The economic evaluation report is expected to be published in 2027. We will provide updates on progress through our member communications.