1. Record Keeping CPCAB LEVEL 4 THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING

2. Factors in favour… Opportunity to reflect & organise own thoughts Record keeping may enhance the quality of counselling – aide memoire & accuracy Changes maybe more apparent Evidence of good practice and or professional credibility “The balance of practice seems to have shifted towards the assumption that counsellors do keep records” Bond (2010, p.197)

3. Factors against… Security of Records – potential for burglary Confidentiality Trust Building Avoidance of clients pursuing a legal right to view records Avoiding use of records in legal proceedings

4. Considerations… Data Protection Issues Are records computerised? Privately held records are not subject to Freedom of Information Act Are paper based records stored in a ‘relevant filing system?’ Is the system structured, could a competent person go to the system and identify details about another individual such as personal contact details Who has access? Client, Employer, Police?

5. Considerations… Use of Records in Court…A request by a lawyer could be taken as consent by the client Is this a part of your role? What are the consequences if refuse to submit a report? Summoned as a witness? Refer to Jakobi & Pratt (1991) in Bond (2010) How long will records be kept?

6. What do the BACP say? BACP refer to Appropriate Records being kept, but that this is not a requirement. Are there adequate reasons not to keep records?

7. Content of Records No set format, therefore records may vary from full and comprehensive accounts of each session, to simple attendance record Bond (2010) advises devising a system that is sufficient to support the counselling process without being excessive Records could include: copies of signed contracts and agreements Agreements re: confidentiality & sharing of client information Attendance record including all appointments offered / not attended Correspondence Rationale for decisions about interventions

8. Post Regulation? Bond (2010) suggests that; If Counselling is to be regulated by the Health Professions Council, there will be an obligation on counsellors to maintain accurate records, the HPC view is that: “Making & keeping records is an essential part of care and you must keep records for everyone you treat or who asks for your advice or services” (HPC 2008, section 10)