Module 1 of 5
What changed and why it matters now
By the end you can
- Say when the 2026 framework becomes mandatory and who it applies to.
- Name the three headline changes BACP describes.
- Find where the framework says something about AI and digital tools.
Narration coming later. The text on this page is the full content.
By the end of this module you will know the key date, who the framework binds, what BACP says has changed, and where the new wording on AI and digital tools sits. That is enough to correct the three things people most often get wrong about it.
The date, and who it applies to
BACP published the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026 on 4 August 2026. It becomes mandatory for BACP members from midday on Tuesday 3 November 2026. Until then, the 2018 framework applies.
The framework applies to BACP members and registrants at every membership level, to supervisors, trainers and organisational members, and to courses providing BACP-approved qualifications. It is not a legal deadline for every practitioner in the UK. If you belong to another professional body as well, that body has its own requirements.
The three headline changes
BACP's own transition guidance describes three key changes.
- Ethics across all professional relationships. The framework covers how you work ethically with everyone in your professional life, not only clients. The 2018 framework already covered colleagues, supervision, training and research; what changes is the emphasis and the structure.
- A rationale for ethical decision-making. You are asked to be able to give a rationale for your ethical decisions, in a form you can use in supervision, CPD planning and, if it ever comes to it, a professional conduct process.
- Core responsibilities, including AI and digital technology. A new core responsibilities section brings the numbered commitments together, and for the first time says something specific about AI and digital tools.
How the document is built
The framework has an introduction and three sections. Section A is about working ethically within relationships, including the rationale. Section B lists twelve ethical principles: confidentiality, honesty, transparency, do no harm, best interest, respect, fairness, anti-oppression, trust, collaboration, compassion and integrity. Section C sets out four core responsibilities with numbered clauses from 1.1 to 4.5.
The wording on AI, digital tools and online platforms is clause 2.1(e). It sits under core responsibility 2, keeping ourselves, colleagues and those using our services safe. Module 4 takes that clause line by line.
A case to think through
Priya is a counsellor in private practice (a fictional practitioner). A colleague tells her: "There is a new BACP AI framework. It applies to every therapist in the UK from 1 November, so you had better stop using any AI tool before then." Priya wants to reply with what the framework actually says. Which reply is closest?
Not quite. The framework does not ban tools or publish an approved list. Clause 2.1(e) asks you to assess the risk of any AI or digital tool before use and to be able to demonstrate five things about how you use it. Module 4 covers them.
Recommended
Yes. Three corrections in one reply: the 2026 framework is a full revision with one clause on AI and digital tools; it applies to BACP members, not every UK practitioner; and the date is midday on 3 November 2026.
Not quite. The framework applies to all BACP members and registrants at every membership level, including individual and private practitioners.
Your dates
Download it when you are done, or keep it for your next supervision.
Assessment
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