Weekly 4 hour sessions over 27 weeks, (which incorporate elements from all modules), plus a one-day workshop (6 hrs contact time) and a residential weekend (16 hrs contact time). The Professional and Ethical Issues module involves experiential work in triads and in larger groups. The interactive sessions allow for tutor-led discussion and the opportunity to consider ethical and professional issues in some depth. Students will be expected to undertake extra reading, both generally and as directed by the course tutors, this is a necessary requirement to help develop and broaden knowledge of professional and ethical issues with the purpose of accomplishing the assessed work. Developing knowledge and an understanding of these issues will form an integral part of weekly sessions, workshops and the residential weekend.

Summative Assessment
Assessment will consist of one written assignment of 2000 words integrating learning from all elements of the course and demonstrating the application of such learning to counselling and/or the student?s occupational setting. (Learning outcomes 1-2) Assessment will be made using Pass/Fail criteria.


This will ask students to:
1. Provide evidence of an understanding of professional and ethical issues, relating to ethical frameworks (such as BACP)
2. Demonstrate their knowledge of using the ethical framework within their own practice.

Formative Assessment
Students will be both peer and tutor assessed in their practice of counselling skills during sessions, as well as through personal reflection and peer group discussion

Video/Audio taping equipment Counselling textbooks, access to Learning Resource Centre.

The Professional and Ethical Issues module provides an opportunity for students to develop their understanding of the importance of ethics, professional and legal issues both within a counselling (using BACP ethical framework) and work setting. The issues covered within this module include confidentiality, boundary setting, ethical dilemmas and supervision

Bond T ((1993). Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action. Sage.
Frankland A, Sanders P (2003) Next Steps in Counselling, PCCS Books.
McLeod J (2004). The Counsellor's Workbook: Developing a Personal Approach. Open University Press.
McLeod J (2003). An Introduction to Counselling (3rd Edn). Open University Press.
Mearns D & Thorne B, (2003), Person-Centred Counselling in Action, Sage
Nelson-Jones R (Ed) (2000). Introduction to Counselling Skills
Palmer S. Wolfe R (Eds) (2000). Integrative & Eclectic Counselling & Psychotherapy. Sage Publications
ProchaskaJ, Norcross J (2002). Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis (5th Edn). Prentice-Hall
Rogers C R (1961). On Becoming a Person. Constable, London

Introduction to Basic Counselling Skills, min. 24 hours.
Prior experiences and/or alternative qualifications may be accepted where possible.