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Code of Ethics
"The Bermuda Counsellors Association has adopted the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice outlined by the American Counselling Association." |
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Historical Summary
BCA Legislative/Ethics Committee The BCA membership believes that it is in the public's best interest to ensure that all practicing professional counsellors meet certain fundamental criteria and that the public should be protected from unprofessional, improper, unqualified and unethical practice of counselling. In essence, BCA is seeking title protection and have proposed that only licensed counsellors shall use the title 'counsellor' or 'professional counsellor' in describing their practice. The BCA's ultimate aim is to be included in the Ministry of Health's "Umbrella Act" which would encompass all mental health professionals on the island (excluding psychologists and psychiatrist who have their own legislation).
The Legislative/Ethics Committee have met on
several occasions under the chairmanship of Mrs. LeeAnn Simmons. The aim
of this Committee is to assist in the drafting of legislation that would
establish standards and regulations for the mental health profession.
Considerable amount of time was spent reviewing codes and regulations from
other jurisdictions of which pertinent items were extracted to be
included in the proposed document. As new members joined the Committee,
they diligently worked together in compiling a draft document which was
ultimately submitted to the Ministry of Health in November 2002.
The past years have represented a unique challenge witnessing the constant change in Permanent Secretaries with the Department of Health & Social Services. Through the perseverance of the BCA Ethics Committee members, the drafted document was submitted to the Dept. of Health & Social Services and subsequently incorporated into a formal document prepared by a department representative. The alliance the BCA established with the Dept. of Health and Social Services has proven beneficial in monitoring the legislative progress. This was evidenced when the initial document was returned and the BCA was consulted regarding the modifications that needed to be made. Mrs. Tawana Wedderburn, representing the Bermuda Health Council (BHeC), gave a very informative slideshow presentation on the regulation of Health Professionals in Bermuda at the BCA AGM held on June 12, 2008. The BHeC streamlined 25 final recommendations. She addressed topics such as; "What does regulation mean?"; "Who regulates?", "Major concerns/themes"; "The proposed regulatory framework"; "the overlapping functions of regulatory bodies"; and, "The recommendations: Proposed Structure, Operational Recommendations - Short term & Long-term". As of November 20, 2009 the BCA is still waiting to hear the next steps regarding the Bermuda Health Council's attempts to regulate the counselling profession. Mrs. Tawana Wedderburn, representing the Bermuda Health Council (BHeC), gave an update on the legislative process at the AGM on June 10, 2010. Mrs. Wedderburn stated the proposed legislation to regulate professional counsellors and social workers in Bermuda is a priority of the Bermuda Health Council (BHeC).
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