Unit 3

Level 2 certificate in counselling skills Unit 3​ Diversity and ethics in the use of counselling skills accredited by & lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Aims • Introduction to the key aspects of ethical framework • Discrimination in counselling • Explore the power imbalance • Diversity in counselling lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Online Learners please note! All activities completed from this book should be submitted to add to your Portfolio as evidence to add further knowledge of your understanding of Unit 3. Please download and make copies of the blank sheets provided to record your answers. Put your name, the date and the question with all submissions lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

1.1 Key aspects of the Ethical Framework “All BACP members must work in accordance with the Ethical Framework. You commit to complying with the Framework when you join or renew your membership and it is the main point of reference for decisions in professional conduct hearings.” BACP Ethical Framework lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

1.2 Main principles and points: Ethics: are based on values, principles and personal moral qualities that underpin and inform the interpretation and application of Our commitment to clients and Good practice. Values: are a useful way of expressing general ethical commitments that underpin the purpose and goals of our actions. lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Fundamental values include a commitment to: • Respecting human rights and dignity • Alleviating symptoms of personal distress and suffering • Enhancing people’s wellbeing and capabilities • Improving the quality of relationships between people • Increasing personal resilience and effectiveness • Facilitating a sense of self that is meaningful to the person(s) concerned within their personal and cultural context • appreciating the variety of human experience and culture • protecting the safety of clients • ensuring the integrity of practitioner-client relationships • enhancing the quality of professional knowledge and its application • striving for the fair and adequate provision of services BACP website lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Important ethical responsibilities Our core principles are: • Being trustworthy: honoring the trust placed in the practitioner • Autonomy: respect for the client’s right to be self-governing • Beneficence: a commitment to promoting the client’s wellbeing • Non-maleficence: a commitment to avoiding harm to the client • Justice: the fair and impartial treatment of all clients and the provision of adequate services • Self-respect: fostering the practitioner’s self-knowledge, integrity and care for self BACP website lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

1.3 Mind Map - how the ethical framework informs own use of counselling skills Refer To The Workbook 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 Submit the work from all four slides lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Different types of discrimination Make a list of different types of discrimination lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

2.1 In a group or individually - Discuss / write how people may experience discrimination lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

2.2 Explore / write Your own experiences or observations of possible discrimination lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

What is Equality in Counselling? Equality is the principle that every person should be treated fairly and equally. The new 2018 BACP Ethical Framework highlights that we not only have a duty to demonstrate equality and respect diversity in our interactions with clients, but we also must uphold these values in relation to our colleagues. Awareness of equality and diversity in counselling touches on the ethical principles of respect and justice outlined in the framework: • Respect: “We will . . . endeavour to demonstrate equality, value diversity and ensure inclusion for all clients.” and “We will take the law concerning equality, diversity and inclusion into careful consideration and strive for a higher standard than the legal minimum.” (BACP, 2018, p. 20) • Justice: “the fair and impartial treatment of all clients and the lifecharity.org.uk provision of adequate services.” (BACP, 2018, p.11) chat | sms | email | web

Counselling and Power “A counselling way of helping is based on the recognition that all humans are equal. It may seem strange, there-fore to look at power in counselling relationships. It would be convenient to think that we are equal to those we are trying to help but on one basic dimension, there is an inequality- they are asking us for help. There are certain factors which shift our sense of power in relation to others: some factors shift it up and some factors shift it down.” Source: Taken from Saunders, P (1994) ”First Step Counselling” PCCS: Manchester lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

lifecharity.org.uk Shifting Power Up chat | sms | email | web Being between the ages of 25-45 Middle or upper class White English speaking Articulate Educated A counsellor Employed Able-bodied Tall ‘Attractive’ A man

Shifting Power Down Being black Young A woman Old Short A client Uneducated Unemployed Stuttering and stammering Having a strong regional accent Not speaking English well A victim (of violence, abuse etc.) Taken from Saunders, P (1994) ”First Step Counselling” PCCS: Manchester lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

3.1 Anti-Discriminatory Practice Any practice meant to counter discrimination in the UK (based on race, class, gender, disability, etc.) and promote equality by introducing anti-discrimination policies in the workplace and in care settings The Equality Act (2010) promote anti discriminatory practice Anti-discriminatory practice is fundamental to the ethical basis of care provision and critical to the protection of people's dignity. The Equality Act (2010) protects those receiving care and the workers that provide it from being treated unfairly because of any characteristics that are protected under the legislation. lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

The following video explores anti-discriminatory practices UNITY: Anti-discrimination Video Produced by: We are World Change https://weareworldchange.org/“Published on 24 Mar 2015. Permission given by, “We are World Change” lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

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3.2 What is diversity in counselling? The most prominently recognised types of difference are sometimes called “The Big Seven”. They are: Age, Gender, Race, Religion, Ability (physical and/or mental), Sexuality and Socio-economic Class This list is seen as limited and not necessarily inclusive of all the ways in which difference manifests in 21st century Britain. LGBTQ, diversity, ethnicity, neurodiversity, family background (e.g. adoption or non-conventional family background), regional differences, first language, and complexities of societal privilege are not comprehensively reflected in this list. lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Value of the power difference The power difference in counselling used ethically, can create; • A safe space • Boundaries • A professional setting • Creates growth and healing “More specifically, when used ethically and effectively, the power difference offers people in therapy, students, supervisees, and patients some important assurances” Source: Good Therapy lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Assurances knowledge, such as: training, and Confidence in their Expertise caregiver’s safety, and Security, Protection Ethical guidelines lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

The following video explores: How diversity impacts on the helping relationship lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web



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Our Personal Perspectives and Unconscious Bias We all have unconscious biases we will sometimes make assumptions about our clients based on their characteristics, backgrounds and even their looks. These assumptions are a response to our experiences, or introjected values, and if left unexamined and unscrutinised, may cause difficulties or even damage the therapeutic alliance. Personal Development – We Strive to recognise what differences we hold and become mindful how we interact with clients. Supervision - is vital for developing and maintaining good standards of practice, and nurturing our therapeutic relationships when working with difference. lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

3.3 Diversity and the impact on the counselling relationship What is diversity? • The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. • It means understanding that each individual is unique and recognising our individual differences. • These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. • It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. • It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual. How do you feel when you hear this? lifecharity.org.uk Do you agree with this definition? chat | sms | email | web

The following video explores how to address difference and diversity in Counselling Skills Practice Counselling & Self Development Resources Published on 1 Nov 2016 Permission to use video by Donal O'Reilly Counselling skills - Diversity lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

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3.3 Discuss / write - How to address difference and diversity in counselling skills practice? lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Potential Barriers Diversity and difference in the therapeutic relationship can create challenges to the therapeutic relationship and may present barriers to relating. Potential issues include: - • Lack of knowledge about the client’s culture – A client may wish to talk about attitudes, customs or cultural references which are unfamiliar to the therapist. • Accessibility – Not all buildings/therapy spaces are accessible for all clients. This can create a very real, physical barrier to relating. The BACP Ethical Framework stipulates that we should “make adjustments to overcome barriers to accessibility, so far as is reasonably possible, for clients of any ability wishing to engage with a service.” (BACP, 2018, p. 20). • Communication Barrier– Interpreters may be necessary for those for whom English is not a first language, or for clients who are hearing-impaired and wish to access counselling. lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Summary • How the ethical framework advises our use of counselling skills • The importance of supervision and CPD • Listeners to work on unconscious bias. • How diversity impacts on the counselling relationship • Value from the power imbalance lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Submit on separate sheet found in Assessment Folder - Unit 3 Write a paragraph of how you think you are developing as a listener? lifecharity.org.uk chat | sms | email | web

Level 2 certificate in counselling skills accredited by &