1.1 STATEMENT OF SERVICE PHILOSOPHY, POLICY AND PRACTICE

PAC Philosophy / Vision Statement

To make available a free professional counselling service that will enhance the lives of people who are affected either directly or indirectly by cancer.

Eligibility Criteria

Positive Action on Cancer provides a free professional counselling service for anyone in Wiltshire, Somerset and BANES (Bath and North East Somerset):

• Diagnosed with cancer
• Affected by a cancer diagnosis - as a family member, carer or friend
• Bereaved by cancer
  

Ensuring the Quality of the Service

The counselling staff at PAC are professionally trained to diploma level and required to have at least one-year postgraduate experience. Membership of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or alternative professional body is required by all counsellors, as is adherence to the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

As an Organisational Member of BACP we are bound by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and subject to the Professional Conduct Proceduure for the time being in force. External supervision is provided in accordance with BACP requirements. Public liability insurance is held.

Monthly meetings are held for counselling staff to promote team building and communication.

Bi annual reviews are held between the clinical manager and individual counselling staff in order to reflect on practice and to monitor the counsellor’s needs.

Counsellor training is provided in response to needs; external training can be subsidised.

Promotion of the Service

The counselling service is promoted regularly to health professionals at a range of venues – as listed below.

Quantity

Clients may have up to 16 sessions. Clients are able to return after the initial course of sessions should the need arise.

Charging

No charge is made for counselling. This is a free service.

Counselling Model

Integrative / psychodynamic. Clients are able to do supportive work with us, or to work at more depth, within the framework of 16 sessions. Respect for the clients’ values and their capacity for self determination is at the core of the work. The end of the work is kept in mind at the beginning.

Evaluation

Regular evaluation of the service is undertaken between the clinical coordinator, the director and the board of trustees, who are kept informed of the balance of client numbers and counselling hours available, as well as relevant developments.
Evaluation forms are offered to all clients at the final session, these are returned to the director, anonymously if wished.

Waiting List

In the case of a waiting list, clients are seen by the clinical manager for an initial holding session before being put on the waiting list. A list of alternative counselling agencies is provided.

THE PRACTICE

Clients self refer from a variety of sources: GP surgeries, Dorothy House, RUH cancer specialist nurses, Macmillan Cancer Information services, District nurses, word of mouth.

Approaches to the service are dealt with by the clinical manager and clients are allocated to the counsellors according to the spaces available and the availability of the client. Some evening slots are provided and there is an alternative venue in Bath at Twerton and the Royal United Hospital and in Warminster. These venues are wheelchair accessible and have on site parking. Home visits, within a 15 mile radius of Frome, and telephone counselling, are offered when appropriate.

The counsellor provides a copy of the “Counselling Agreement” for each client at the first session, as well as explaining the limits of confidentiality ( see Confidentiality policy) and informs the client that an evaluation form will be offered at the end of the work. Counsellors manage appointments with their clients, missed sessions can be rescheduled due to the possibility of treatment / ill health intervening. Notes are kept in a locked cabinet, separate from client contact details.

1.2 COUNSELLING POLICY

1 Context

1.1 The primary task of PAC is the provision of free counselling for anyone

• Diagnosed with cancer
• Affected by a cancer diagnosis – family member, carer or friend
• Bereaved by cancer

1.2 Counselling offers an opportunity for individuals affected by cancer to talk and be heard in a safe, non-judgemental environment. The expression of fear and anxiety can benefit mental and physical well being. The counsellor’s role in this process is to aid the individual in ways that respect his/her values and capacity for self determination. The counsellor will not give advice but will help the individual explore options.

2 Entitlement

2.1 Counselling is available to anyone over 18 years old, affected by cancer in Somerset, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) and North Dorset.

2.2 Service users are entitled to expect a high quality therapeutic Counselling Service which

• is client focussed
• is delivered by appropriately qualified counsellors
• abides by the Ethical Framework of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Individual membership required by all counsellors.
  

3 Professional Practice

3.1 All counsellors are trained to diploma level and committed to maintaining their competence through on-going professional development.

3.2 Counsellors have regular supervision with a BACP accredited counsellor, trained and experienced in supervision.

3.3 Counsellors will not misrepresent their training or experience.

4 Confidentiality

4.1 The BACP Ethical Framework requires that counsellors offer the highest possible levels of confidentiality in order to respect the client’s privacy and create the trust necessary for counselling.

4.2 In exceptional circumstances, the counsellor may take the decision to break confidentiality, with or without the client’s consent if necessary where, in his/her professional judgement:

• there is a risk of the client harming themselves or being harmed
• there is a risk of another person being harmed

In such circumstances the counsellor will always

• Seek to obtain the client’s consent prior to disclosure
• Discuss with his/her supervisor
• Inform the counselling co-ordinator of any planned breach of confidentiality.

4.3 It is therefore ethically and legally unwise to promise “total” or ”absolute” confidentiality. Rather does Positive Action on Cancer offer confidentiality within the law and the BACP Ethical Framework.

4.4 All counselling records and case notes will be kept securely locked in drawers. Service user’s contact details will be held separately from case notes.

5 Service Delivery

5.1 Counselling will be provided in an appropriate, safe and confidential environment.

5.2 Counselling sessions will last for up to 50 minutes and will normally be on a weekly basis, at the same time and day each week.

5.3 Initial appointments will be booked via the counselling co-ordinator, and thereafter with the counsellor concerned.

5.4 The Counsellor will have access to a list of referral agencies in the area, held by PAC.

6 Monitoring and evaluation

6.1 Evaluation is carried out via evaluation forms offered to each client at the end of their sessions. Service users are informed at the start of counselling that evaluation forms will be offered, but do not have to be filled out.

7 Insurance

7.1 Public liability insurance is held.

Supporting policies and procedures

BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Confidentiality Policy
Complaints Procedure