BARNET COUNSELLING ASSOCIATION
The Association of Primary Care Counsellors in Barnet
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Guidelines for the use of counsellors in general practice in Barnet

It is a requirement of Barnet Health Authority that counsellors employed in GP practices are accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, or equivalent.

Qualifications

The accredited counsellor will:

  • Have received an appropriate training

  • Be in regular supervision with an appropriate consultant

  • Have professional indemnity insurance

  • Be a member of a relevant professional body and abide by its code of ethics

  • Undertake continuing professional development

Main responsibilities

The responsibilities of the counsellor will be to:

  • Provide and manage a counselling service

  • Liaise with the GPs and other members of the primary health care team

  • Liaise with other agencies, including voluntary, statutory and private, as appropriate

  • Maintain records and audit counselling

Accountability and confidentiality

The counsellor is responsible for maintaining confidentiality. However, this confidentiality may need to be broken, for example when patients are at risk of harming themselves or others. The counsellor is accountable to the GP, who retains overall medical responsibility for the patient.

Referrals

The counsellor and GP will agree what type of referrals are appropriate.

Record keeping

The counsellor’s notes and audit forms should be kept safe.

Counsellor's requirements

The counsellor needs a room which is regularly available for use for counselling, and which is quiet and free from interruptions. This is essential for privacy. It should contain two or more similar easy chairs. The counsellor also needs administrative back-up and support from receptionists.

Time allocation

A counselling hour usually comprises 50 minutes for face to face work and 10 minutes for note-taking.

Contract between the practice and the counsellor

The contract should clearly state the pay of the counsellor (usually an hourly rate), the length of the contract, a period of assessment and the period of notice. It will also define whether the counsellor is self employed or an employee, and entitlement for annual leave and sickness pay.

For advice and information about counselling in general practices in Barnet, please email Barnet Counselling Association.