OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
Confidentiality is an essential aspect of the work carried out on behalf of this service. There are however 4 occasions when we may wish to take advice from other professionals. (1) If there is a danger of serious harm to the client (2) to another or (3) if there is a report of current or recent child abuse, (4) if involvement or activity in any terrorist organisation is disclosed. We will usually discuss this with the client first. The counsellor may also wish to discuss this with a senior member of staff.
Please note that when a young person engages in counselling they are entitled to the same confidentiality as anyone else. Their counsellor is not at liberty to discuss the content of their sessions with you or anyone. We would encourage you to to let them decide for themselves whether and how much they wish to talk about their counselling. That said, Children and Young Person’s counsellors are trained to be especially aware of safeguarding and any concerns will be acted on appropriately. This will be discussed in full with the young person during their first session.
Good Practice: All counsellors are required by the BACP code of Ethics and Practice, to attend monthly supervision where they discuss their casework. Counsellors always protect clients’ identities when discussing cases, but please feel free to ask more about this. Counselling will be reviewed on a regular basis by the counsellor/therapist together with the client. If at any point the client (young person) wishes to stop counselling, work together will end - counselling must be voluntary and is not effective or productive (and can even cause harm) when the young person is under pressure to attend.
Professional Development: At any time, several of our counsellors may be studying for an advanced qualification in counselling. They are, however, considered to have the necessary training and experience to be allocated your case.
Record Keeping: We keep details that identify you (name, address, phone number) digitally. The notes made at the initial introductory (assessment) appointment, brief on going records your counsellor writes, and a Closing Summary are kept in a locked cabinet, in line with BACP guidelines. Those records are identified only by your initials and your code number. Alloa Counselling has a system of open recording with its clients. (Data Protection Act (1998). If you wish to see your records, we will request that you complete a release form before sending your records to you by encrypted email.
We ask that children and young people over the age of twelve sign their own privacy agreement to consent to us holding their information.
Cancelled Appointments: We ask for a commitment to a weekly attendance and if you are planning a holiday or require to miss a session, you give us as much notice as possible so we can plan around that. By signing this contract, you agree to minimise time away from counselling, as this can compromise the counselling process. If you have several missed appointments, you may be asked to stop your sessions and restart your counselling when you feel that you are more able to attend regularly.
If cancelling due to covid we request that you endeavour to work online with your counsellor at a time that suits both parties.
Cancelled Appointments: We require 2 working days’ notice from you for cancelled appointments otherwise payment will be due.
Working days are Monday–Friday, 9am to 8pm, not including Bank Holiday.
Agreement
Please sign below to let us know that you have had an opportunity to read and discuss this contract:
