Welcome and how this course works

BACP's new Ethical Framework becomes mandatory for BACP members from midday on Tuesday 3 November 2026. Until then, the 2018 framework applies.

This free course helps you get ready for that change in your actual practice, not just on paper. It shows you how the 2026 framework is organised and what has changed, and spends the most time where you are likely to need to produce something new: your ethical rationale, and the way you use AI, digital tools and online platforms with clients' information.

The course was made by Joy (Joy solutions AB), a company that makes software for counsellors and therapists. The course is not about that software. Everything in it applies whatever tools you use, and you don't need Joy to take the course or to use what you learn.

It is written for BACP members who work with clients, including supervisors and trainees.

By the end of the course you will have a clear picture of how the 2026 framework is organised and what has changed since 2018. If you complete the worksheets, you will also have:

• a written ethical rationale for a practice decision, built on the six questions the framework asks a rationale to answer
• for one AI or digital tool you actually use: a risk check, a short explanation for clients, consent wording, and a draft line for your privacy notice
• a list of what to take to supervision and what to put in place before 3 November

These are working drafts for you to refine and discuss in supervision. They are a starting point, not finished documents, and this course is not legal or data protection advice.

There are five modules. The course is self-paced. You can work through the modules in separate sittings and return to finish later. Time taken will depend on how long you spend on the activities; there is no time limit.

1. What changed and why it matters now
2. Working ethically within relationships: your rationale
3. Ethical principles and the four core responsibilities
4. AI, digital tools, records and privacy: clause 2.1(e) in practice
5. Supervision, safety and your before-November checklist

Each module has:

• a short explanation in our own words, with clause numbers so you can find each point in the framework itself
• a fictional case where you make a choice and get feedback
• learning checks: quick questions with instant feedback. They are there to help you learn and are not scored.
• a worksheet that applies the module to your own practice
• a short assessment

We suggest taking the modules in order, because the rationale you learn in Module 2 is used in the modules after it.

To complete the course, pass the assessment at the end of each of the five modules.

• The Module 1 assessment has four questions. Three or more correct is a pass.
• The Module 2 assessment has one question. One or more correct is a pass.
• The Module 3 assessment has one question. One or more correct is a pass.
• The Module 4 assessment has one question. One or more correct is a pass.
• The Module 5 assessment has one question. One or more correct is a pass.
• If you don't pass first time, you'll see which questions to revisit. Try again as often as you like. There is no time limit.
• When you have passed all five, you can create your certificate of completion in the final section.

The pass mark is Joy's own rule for this course. It is not a BACP requirement.

Worksheets are never scored, and nothing you write in them is sent to Joy.

You sign in, and Joy keeps your record. You sign in with your email address. Joy keeps your email, your progress, your assessment answers and results, and the date you pass each module. If you create a certificate, Joy also keeps the name and any practice name you ask to have printed on it. See the course's privacy information.

Your worksheets stay with you. What you type in a worksheet stays in this browser on this device. It is not sent to Joy. You can download it as a text file. Worksheets do not follow you to another device. Clearing this browser's data, or another learner signing in here, removes the saved text. Download a copy to keep it.

Keep the framework open alongside. The course describes the framework in its own words and refers to clauses by number. Read the framework itself on BACP's website: The Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026 (PDF).

Never enter client information. Never enter client names or identifying client details anywhere in the course. Every case in this course is invented. When you fill in a worksheet, write about your own practice and tools.

Two labels you'll see:

• Fictional case marks a scenario invented for teaching.
• Joy's teaching interpretation marks a practical suggestion from us. It is not the framework's own wording or requirement.

Joy is independent and is not affiliated with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). BACP has not accredited, approved or endorsed this course. The Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions is published by BACP; read it in full at bacp.co.uk.