12/03/2020
Begin forwarded message:
This is to keep all my clients updated in the current situation.
At the moment, I am operating on a Business as Usual basis but of course this is subject to change depending on PHE latest advice. I reproduce the NCS guidelines which I have been given and am using in my practice.
I hope you find the information useful.
Jacquie
We are writing to you to offer advice in relation to the coronavirus, and to ensure that your practice and training can continue to function in the eventuality that public health advice adversely affects you.
The Government has released its action plan which advises that the virus could, if it spreads, hit in waves with a peak over a 2-3 month period before normality resumes; and with 1/5 of the workforce unable to work at any one time.
Practice
Communicate with all clients and inform them that their sessions could be liable to postponement or disruption on a temporary basis. Where possible, offer to clients the option of continuing sessions by phone or video conferencing.
Inform clients that sessions should be postponed if they are advised medically to self-isolate, or if they have any symptoms of a cold, cough, respiratory issues or a raised temperature.
Make sure you are prepared to communicate with clients in the event that you must self-isolate. Rearrange appointments if you have any relevant medical symptoms.
When seeing clients face to face, ensure that both you and your client practises appropriate hygiene procedures before and after meeting, including hand sanitization.
Maintain a good distance of at least one metre from your client.
Where possible, refrain from shaking hands and ensure you have explained to your client why this protocol is being followed.
Refrain from other physical contact, for example, hugging a client.
If possible, where providing tissues do not use one central box of tissues. Pre-divide tissues into portions so that different clients do not touch the same tissue boxes. Alternatively, advise clients to bring their own tissues.
Remember to clean surfaces: phones, laptops, door handles etc, regularly.
If necessary, transition on a temporary basis to offering counselling which does not require face to face contact.
Be prepared in case of evolving Government advice to cancel face to face counselling for a temporary period. Consider if you can do this now.
Be aware of your clients' increased levels of stress and anxiety, and take extra self-care during the current public health crisis. If you feel overwhelmed, seek supervisor and peer support.
Communicate with the Society when you need to and we will try to help as much as we can.
Training
Your training school will be your primary source of information during the coronavirus.
Trainers are preparing for temporary postponements and rearranging classes so that your training will still take the same amount of time overall.
Trainers are preparing to offer temporary online alternatives to face to face training.
Trainers are preparing to offer more theory modules first where possible so that face to face practical work can happen later.
Trainers will be following Government advice.
The NCS is preparing to allow slight variations in face to face hours if necessary to ensure your registration is not delayed, and is liaising with the Professional Standards Authority about this.
Remember this will be a temporary issue and that training normality, if disrupted, will resume and there are lots of contingency plans for this.
For further Government advice please click here
For further NHS advice please click here
Meg Nunn
CEO
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The National Counselling Society
19 Grafton Road
Worthing, West Sussex
BN11 1QT
Tel: 01903 200666
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