‘In my agency it's very clear – but I can't tell you what it is’: Work settings and ethical challenges

Abstract

This study aims to increase our understanding of how counsellors experience ethical and legal challenges in their work. Counsellors (n=20) from a variety of backgrounds and working in a range of settings, took part in the study. Interviews focused on the experience of risks of harm, requests for information, record keeping; and the sources of knowledge and expertise on which practitioners drew. The study found that in responding to ethical and legal challenges, practitioners are engaged in a process of negotiation between the inner and outer worlds of the client, the agency, society and themselves. Regardless of theoretical orientation, those in private practice have greater freedom from the constraints of the outer worlds than those in agencies. Areas of particular concern included child protection, multi-agency working, and relationships with other practitioners.

Keywords:

• Ethics
• confidentiality
• counsellors' experience
• qualitative methods