An analysis of complaints to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, 1996–2006

Abstract

In autumn 2006 the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy approved a proposal to conduct an independent audit of complaints submitted. This article represents the first stage of that audit. Case information from the professional conduct files was accessed and a total of 84 cases, considered by a pre-hearing assessment panel to require a full hearing, were identified for this audit. The cases cover the period from October 1996 to January 2006. The information obtained was entered into a database for numerical analysis. Key findings suggest that accredited members are disproportionately complained against, as are male members of the association. The majority of complaints are made by people who are themselves involved in counselling.

Keywords:

• Professional conduct
• complaints
• audit
• ethical practice

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the staff of the Professional Conduct Department at the BACP for their kind assistance with this audit.