Raising professional standards
Supporting ethical and competent practice

We are committed to protecting the public by developing high quality, evidence-based standards of ethical practice for the counselling professions. We provide resources to support members in ethical and competent practice, and to help clients and employers to choose safe and effective practitioners.

Developing and implementing ethical practice standards

Ethical practice is at the heart of a counselling professional's work. The Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions sets out the essential commitments to which all BACP members must agree. It provides assurance to clients, employers, agencies and peers that our members are committed professionals who practise in an ethical way.

We have also developed a range of Good Practice in Action resources to strengthen the ethical practice of our members, and provide an Ethics hub to support their ethical decision making.

Training standards

We work to raise training standards in counselling and psychotherapy by developing competences and curricula based on the latest research evidence into effective practice. These can be used by practitioners, trainers, supervisors and services to ensure practitioners have the skills and knowledge needed to work in a particular setting, or with particular clients.

Accreditation

BACP accreditation is a widely valued quality status designed to recognise the achievement of high standards of knowledge, experience and development.

Our accreditation schemes promote public protection across the profession, from training courses which give students the required skills for ethical practice, to the delivery of ethical services and recognition of the clinical expertise of individual practitioners. They help clients, employers and practitioners to make an informed decision when choosing a therapist, service or practitioner training.