What makes a counselling record appropriate?
BACP guidance describes appropriate records as adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary for the service being provided. Accurate records should be factually correct and complete, with fact distinguished carefully from opinion or interpretation.
A record can include more than a case note: appointments, communications, correspondence, photographs and other information about an identifiable client may all form part of the record.
Structured session history
Keep session dates, notes and attendance together so the chronology of work is clear.
Clear client status
Distinguish active, paused and completed work without losing the associated record.
Safeguarding visibility
Flag concerns and link them to a structured record of actions and communications.
Purposeful exports
Create a PDF when information needs to be reviewed or shared for a legitimate professional purpose.
Confidentiality and the circle of confidentiality
Clients should be told how their personal information will be used, who is within the circle of confidentiality and what foreseeable limitations apply. Any disclosure of identifiable information requires consent or another legally and ethically recognised justification.
A record-keeping tool cannot make that decision for you. PracticeKit helps you retrieve and manage information once you have determined that recording, retaining or sharing it is appropriate.
Device-only working data
PracticeKit does not synchronise its working records to a PracticeKit cloud service. App access is protected by Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode. The app obscures content in the app switcher and strips EXIF metadata from attached photographs before storage.
The app does not record counselling sessions, create transcripts or send client conversations to an AI note-writing service. The practitioner remains the author of every note.
Security features are only one part of good information governance. Practitioners remain responsible for device security, privacy notices, lawful processing, access controls, retention and secure disposal.
Professional sources
- BACP: Working to professional standards
- BACP: Confidentiality and record keeping within the counselling professions
PracticeKit supports record keeping; it does not decide what a practitioner should record or provide legal advice. BACP does not endorse or certify this product.
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