This page explains how the new Ethical Framework was developed and the feedback which helped shape the new framework and supporting resources.
We reviewed the previous Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2018 for over four years to develop the new framework. You can view the reports below which helped shape the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026.
The new framework commits members to working collaboratively, with the people using our professional services and accounting for our ethical decision-making. We hope it continues to be a living framework that can respond to changes affecting the counselling professions, such as new legislation or research.
Background to the review
Thank you to all our members who took the time to feedback during all our consultations and shared your thoughts with us. Your voices have helped to shape our new Ethical Framework for Counselling Professions 2026.
The Ethical Framework review was completed in three phases. Phase one involved scoping out the project with professional experts who looked at the format of our Ethical Framework and compared it with ethical codes and frameworks of other professional organisations.
In phase two, we recruited a team to support the project including members with specific ethics and EDI expertise and staff members. A robust consultation plan was created so that members were able to contribute fully to the review process, which included qualitative and quantitative surveys, focus groups, email, event, and social media feedback.
We also reviewed the data collected by BACP since 2018 relating to ethical challenges raised by members and the public and through the ethics service, our get help with counselling concerns service, and the professional conduct process. This first consultation (2023 to 2024) was designed to understand where clarity and changes were needed in terms of the purpose, content, and structure of the Ethical Framework.
In phase three, we created the first draft of the new Ethical Framework and shared this with members, trainers, services, staff, and other stakeholders as part of the second consultation. Our second consultation (2025) focused on what support you may need to use the new framework, any barriers to implementation, and what additional resources we can provide to support you in being able to effectively use the new Ethical Framework.
We also completed impact and equality impact assessments to make sure that any changes to the Ethical Framework were considered for practitioners, supervisors, trainee counsellors, courses and services. The new Ethical Framework 2026 is now mandatory for all members.
We also launched new supporting resources in the form of Ethics in Practice, Ethics Essentials and Legal resources replacing the previously known Good Practice in Action (GPiAs) resources. We’re continuing to develop further resources to support you in implementing the new framework, including a range of short and more detailed resources such as practical learning, text-based resources, and videos.
Reports
These reports are all the data and feedback we collected during the first and second consultations and since beginning the Ethical Framework review, which has helped to inform the new framework.
1. Historical data report
1.(S) Historical data report executive summary
2. Literature review of contemporary ethical issues for counselling practitioners report 2018 to 2024
2.(S) Literature review of contemporary ethical issues for counselling practitioners report 2018 to 2024 executive summary
3. Public perception survey report 2023
4. Public perception survey report 2024
5. Get help with counselling public feedback report
6. Focus group data report
6.(S) Focus group data report executive summary
7. Organisational member courses and services consultation report
8. Organisational member courses and services day informal feedback report 2023
9. Complex ethical queries (EFIG) historical data amendment for March 23 to March 24 report
10. Informal feedback report
11. Ethics service data report January 2023 to March 2025
12. Member survey, quantitative data report
12.(S) Member survey, quantitative data report executive summary
13. Member survey qualitative data report
14. Email and social media feedback report
15. Good practice in action resources feedback report
16. Member survey report addendum
17. Professional conduct data report
18. Artificial intelligence and technology in therapy member survey report
18.(S) Artificial intelligence and technology in therapy member survey report executive summary
19. Good practice in action resources survey report
20. Analysis process of consultation data report
2nd consultation
21. Analysis of second consultation data informing the Ethical Framework 2026
22. Practice-related resources member consultation
23. Equality Impact Assessment on the Ethical Framework 2026
24. Impact Assessment on the Ethical Framework 2026
Introduction to the new Ethical Framework transcription (docx 110KB)
Professor Andrew Reeves and Myira Khan introduce the new Ethical Framework draft. Watch as they discuss the development of the new Ethical Framework draft, how it's intended to be used and how it'll work for practitioners.
