Ethical Framework for Pride Space CIC

Contents

  1. Purpose and Scope
  2. Our Commitment to Clients, the Profession & Society
  3. Ethics, Values & Principles
       3.1 Core Ethical Values
       3.2 Ethical Principles
       3.3 Personal Moral Qualities
  4. Good Practice (Part A) – Working Together
       4.1 Respecting Human Rights & Dignity
       4.2 Enhancing the Therapeutic Relationship
       4.3 Client Safety, Safeguarding & Risk
       4.4 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
       4.5 Confidentiality & Data Protection
       4.6 Record‑Keeping & Information Governance
       4.7 Competence, Learning & CPD
       4.8 Supervision & Reflective Practice
       4.9 Professional Conduct & Boundaries
       4.10 Working with Colleagues, Trainees & Organisations
       4.11 Research, Evaluation & Use of Outcome Measures
       4.12 Endings & Post‑Therapy Support
       4.13 Public Communication, Advertising & Financial Conduct
       4.14 Digital & Remote Practice
  5. Good Practice (Part B) – Governance Systems
       5.1 Clinical Governance & Quality Assurance
       5.2 Legal & Regulatory Compliance
       5.3 Complaints, Whistleblowing & Duty of Candour
       5.4 Audit, Review & Continuous Improvement
  6. Ethical Decision‑Making Model (Step‑by‑Step Toolkit)
  7. Appendices & Resources

1  Purpose and Scope

This ethical framework outlines the standards, values and practices guiding Pride Space CIC, a community interest counselling and wellbeing service centred on the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalised identities. It applies to all individuals operating within or on behalf of Pride Space CIC, including staff, volunteers, contractors, supervisors and trustees.

Our framework adapts and reflects the full BACP Ethical Framework. Where additions, emphases or adaptations are made, they reflect the mission and client populations of Pride Space CIC. In all cases, the BACP framework remains the foundation upon which this document rests.

2  Our Commitment

We commit to:

  • Prioritising the wellbeing and autonomy of our clients, particularly those marginalised due to gender, sexuality, race, disability, age, class, neurodivergence or trauma.
  • Upholding human rights and justice within every interaction, policy and practice.
  • Maintaining professional integrity—honesty, accountability, and transparency are fundamental.
  • Embedding reflective and anti-oppressive practice in supervision, decision-making, leadership and governance.
  • Continuously learning and evolving, adapting to the needs of our clients and communities.
  • Creating safe, affirming spaces for clients and team members alike.

3  Ethics, Values & Principles

Pride Space CIC embraces the ethical structure of the BACP, which consists of values, principles and personal moral qualities.

3.1  Core Ethical Values

  1. Trustworthiness
  2. Autonomy
  3. Beneficence
  4. Non‑maleficence
  5. Justice
  6. Self‑respect

3.2  Ethical Principles

We act in accordance with the BACP’s six principles:

  • Being trustworthy – Reliable, accountable, honouring commitments.
  • Autonomy – Empowering self-determination while supporting safety.
  • Beneficence – Promoting wellbeing through active, intentional care.
  • Non‑maleficence – Avoiding harm and being alert to unintended consequences.
  • Justice – Acting fairly and ensuring access, equity and protection from discrimination.
  • Self‑respect – Valuing our own growth, wellbeing, boundaries and learning.

3.3  Personal Moral Qualities

We encourage and model the following qualities:

  • Empathy, sincerity and courage in therapeutic and organisational relationships.
  • Integrity and humility, especially when we make mistakes or experience challenge.
  • Resilience and commitment to sustained ethical, reflective, trauma-informed practice.

4  Good Practice (Part A) – Working Together

4.1  Respecting Human Rights & Dignity

  • Root all services in the Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010.
  • Uphold dignity in every interaction, process and environment.
  • Use inclusive language, signage and documentation.

4.2  Enhancing the Therapeutic Relationship

  • Promote co-created agreements that evolve with the work.
  • Hold relational safety, attunement and cultural humility as core pillars.

4.3  Client Safety, Safeguarding & Risk

  • Train all staff in trauma-informed safeguarding and contextual safeguarding.
  • Apply the structured Risk & Resilience Assessment (RRA) at intake and periodically.
  • Address community-specific risks (e.g., hate crimes, medical trauma, familial estrangement).

4.4  Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

  • Uphold anti-racist, anti-ableist, anti-carceral and trans-affirming practices.
  • Require annual DEI and anti-oppressive practice training.
  • Reflect diversity in leadership, governance and staff teams.

4.5  Confidentiality & Data Protection

  • Adhere to GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
  • Recognise specific confidentiality risks for clients from marginalised groups.
  • Use secure, encrypted digital systems.

4.6  Record-Keeping & Information Governance

  • Maintain minimal, relevant, trauma-sensitive notes.
  • Be transparent with clients about record access and retention.

4.7  Competence, Learning & CPD

  • All practitioners undertake minimum 30 hours CPD annually.
  • Offer reflective, decolonising and intersectional CPD opportunities.

4.8  Supervision & Reflective Practice

  • Maintain minimum supervision ratios (1:8 or higher for trainees).
  • Include cultural/process-based supervision models.

4.9  Professional Conduct & Boundaries

  • Hold clear, transparent boundaries.
  • Avoid dual relationships or exploitative dynamics.

4.10  Working with Colleagues, Trainees & Organisations

  • Foster collaborative learning cultures.
  • Centre equity in recruitment, training and evaluation.

4.11  Research, Evaluation & Outcome Measures

  • Use inclusive, participatory evaluation tools.
  • Engage clients in shaping what “outcomes” mean.

4.12  Endings & Post‑Therapy Support

  • Create affirming, supported endings.
  • Offer signposting, transition and follow-up opportunities.

4.13  Public Communication, Advertising & Financial Conduct

  • Communicate accessibly, ethically, and with integrity.
  • Clearly publish pricing, subsidy, and cancellation policies.

4.14  Digital & Remote Practice

  • Ensure privacy, accessibility and informed consent in digital spaces.
  • Acknowledge digital exclusion and provide alternatives when possible.

5  Good Practice (Part B) – Governance Systems

5.1  Clinical Governance & Quality Assurance

  • Operate a Clinical Governance Panel with diverse lived and professional experience.
  • Review incidents, complaints, supervision notes and outcomes quarterly.

5.2  Legal & Regulatory Compliance

  • Maintain a compliance matrix for safeguarding, data, employment and charity regulations.
  • Offer legal training and updates to all team members annually.

5.3  Complaints, Whistleblowing & Duty of Candour

  • Publish and promote an inclusive, accessible complaints procedure.
  • Uphold Duty of Candour in all responses.
  • Encourage internal feedback and protected disclosures.

5.4  Audit, Review & Continuous Improvement

  • Audit annually against BACP standards, DEI metrics, supervision, and record quality.
  • Incorporate client voice and community advisory boards in audits.

6  Ethical Decision‑Making Model (8‑Step Toolkit)

  1. Recognise the ethical issue or dilemma.
  2. Clarify facts, relationships, cultural/power contexts, legal duties.
  3. Reflect on values, ethical principles, and moral qualities.
  4. Consult colleagues, supervisors, codes, or legal experts.
  5. Explore Options—apply tests of justice, transparency, reversibility, and lived experience.
  6. Decide the most ethical, least harmful course.
  7. Act with care, accountability, and documentation.
  8. Review outcomes and integrate learning into future work.

7  Appendices & Resources

  • Appendix A – Ethical Decision-Making Record Template
  • Appendix B – Risk & Resilience Assessment
  • Appendix C – Safeguarding Flowchart
  • Appendix D – CPD and Supervision Log Templates
  • Appendix E – Key Legislation & Sector Guidance
  • Appendix F – Summary of BACP Ethical Framework for quick reference

Document Owner: Clinical & Operations Lead, Pride Space CIC
Approved by: Clinical Governance Panel
Version: 1.0 — July 10, 2025
Next Review Due: September 2026