Unit 3 Assessment Answers
Q1a. Identify an example of an ethical framework.
An ethical framework is a set of moral principles that provide guidelines for carrying out work with other people. The British
Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has published 'Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions', which is
intended to guide the good practice of counselling and psychotherapy.
Q1b. Identify the key aspects of this ethical framework.
The BACP's ethical framework is based upon a set of values, principles, and personal moral qualities that underpins both their
commitment to clients and to good practice. These values include respecting human rights and dignity, alleviating symptoms of
personal distress and suffering, appreciating the variety of human experience and culture, as well as enhancing the quality of
professional knowledge and its' application. These values go on to inform the BACP's ethical principles which direct attention to
important ethical responsibilities. For example, being trustworthy, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and self-
respect. The personal moral qualities of counsellors is also of great importance to clients because they form the basis of the
helping relationship. These include the qualities of candour, care, sincerity, and empathy, among others.
Q1C. Describe how an ethical framework underpins the use of your own counselling skills.
The BACP's ethical framework ultimately informs the use of counselling skills as it requires individuals to gain and honour the
client's trust by observing their privacy and confidentiality, as well as show an active interest in and care for the wellbeing of their
clients through various core skills like active listening, empathetic understanding, and congruence. The framework also ensures
the continuance of good quality practice through the requirement to receive ongoing supervision, support, and professional
development, and encouragement to only work within the limits of your training and experience in order to properly and
adequately provide good quality care for clients. With regards to legislation, ethical frameworks also ensure the client's rights are
always placed at the heart of counselling practice. For example, counsellors should not exclude someone from receiving a service
or lower the standards of that service on the grounds a client's learning needs or physical disability. Additionally, the client's
rights under data protection legislation are protected and counsellors have a duty to keep appropriate, accurate, secure, and
respectful records.
Q2. Outline ways in which people experience discrimination.
Discrimination is the act of treating someone differently or unfairly because of who they are, their beliefs, or because they
possess certain characteristics. The Equality Act 2010 stipulated that it is against the law to discriminate against or harass
someone because of a ‘protected characteristic’. These are as follows:
Age - You must not be treated less favourably for being a particular age, or within a range of ages, unless the treatment can be
justified.
Disability - A person has a disability if she or he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term
adverse effect on that person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The Equality Act protects these people from
discrimination, as well as requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to address any
disadvantages they may face.
Gender Reassignment - You must not be discriminated against because you ate transitioning or intend to transition from your sex
assigned at birth.
Marriage and Civil Partnership - You must not be discriminated against at work because you are married or in a civil partnership,
whether your partner is of the same sex or opposite.
Pregnancy and Maternity - The Equality Act protects women from being discriminated against because they are pregnant,
including due to pregnancy-related illness, or if you are a new mother.
Race - You must not be discriminated against because of your race. This means your colour, your nationality, your ethnicity, or
national origins.
Religion or Belief - You must not be discriminated against because of your religion or belief, or lack of religion or belief.
Sex - Sex refers to being a man or a woman, and you must not be discriminated against because of your sex.
Sexual Orientation - You must not be treated less favourably because of your sexual orientation, whether you are attracted to
your own sex, the opposite sex, or both sexes.
Q3. Describe different situations where you have experienced or observed possible discrimination.
I am fortunate to not have experienced direct discrimination myself, but I have observed varying degrees of discrimination
directed at my gay friends. For example, a few years ago a close friend of mine experienced direct discrimination on the basis of
his homosexuality. He was physically assaulted in a bar by two men for wearing a bracelet that depicted the Pride flag, as well as
Q1a. Identify an example of an ethical framework.
An ethical framework is a set of moral principles that provide guidelines for carrying out work with other people. The British
Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has published 'Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions', which is
intended to guide the good practice of counselling and psychotherapy.
Q1b. Identify the key aspects of this ethical framework.
The BACP's ethical framework is based upon a set of values, principles, and personal moral qualities that underpins both their
commitment to clients and to good practice. These values include respecting human rights and dignity, alleviating symptoms of
personal distress and suffering, appreciating the variety of human experience and culture, as well as enhancing the quality of
professional knowledge and its' application. These values go on to inform the BACP's ethical principles which direct attention to
important ethical responsibilities. For example, being trustworthy, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and self-
respect. The personal moral qualities of counsellors is also of great importance to clients because they form the basis of the
helping relationship. These include the qualities of candour, care, sincerity, and empathy, among others.
Q1C. Describe how an ethical framework underpins the use of your own counselling skills.
The BACP's ethical framework ultimately informs the use of counselling skills as it requires individuals to gain and honour the
client's trust by observing their privacy and confidentiality, as well as show an active interest in and care for the wellbeing of their
clients through various core skills like active listening, empathetic understanding, and congruence. The framework also ensures
the continuance of good quality practice through the requirement to receive ongoing supervision, support, and professional
development, and encouragement to only work within the limits of your training and experience in order to properly and
adequately provide good quality care for clients. With regards to legislation, ethical frameworks also ensure the client's rights are
always placed at the heart of counselling practice. For example, counsellors should not exclude someone from receiving a service
or lower the standards of that service on the grounds a client's learning needs or physical disability. Additionally, the client's
rights under data protection legislation are protected and counsellors have a duty to keep appropriate, accurate, secure, and
respectful records.
Q2. Outline ways in which people experience discrimination.
Discrimination is the act of treating someone differently or unfairly because of who they are, their beliefs, or because they
possess certain characteristics. The Equality Act 2010 stipulated that it is against the law to discriminate against or harass
someone because of a ‘protected characteristic’. These are as follows:
Age - You must not be treated less favourably for being a particular age, or within a range of ages, unless the treatment can be
justified.
Disability - A person has a disability if she or he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term
adverse effect on that person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The Equality Act protects these people from
discrimination, as well as requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to address any
disadvantages they may face.
Gender Reassignment - You must not be discriminated against because you ate transitioning or intend to transition from your sex
assigned at birth.
Marriage and Civil Partnership - You must not be discriminated against at work because you are married or in a civil partnership,
whether your partner is of the same sex or opposite.
Pregnancy and Maternity - The Equality Act protects women from being discriminated against because they are pregnant,
including due to pregnancy-related illness, or if you are a new mother.
Race - You must not be discriminated against because of your race. This means your colour, your nationality, your ethnicity, or
national origins.
Religion or Belief - You must not be discriminated against because of your religion or belief, or lack of religion or belief.
Sex - Sex refers to being a man or a woman, and you must not be discriminated against because of your sex.
Sexual Orientation - You must not be treated less favourably because of your sexual orientation, whether you are attracted to
your own sex, the opposite sex, or both sexes.
Q3. Describe different situations where you have experienced or observed possible discrimination.
I am fortunate to not have experienced direct discrimination myself, but I have observed varying degrees of discrimination
directed at my gay friends. For example, a few years ago a close friend of mine experienced direct discrimination on the basis of
his homosexuality. He was physically assaulted in a bar by two men for wearing a bracelet that depicted the Pride flag, as well as
