Coronavirus

Last updated: 29 November 2021

UKCP guidance remains to consider the ethical implications of working in your clients’ best interests, risk assessing both theirs and, very importantly, your own safety and wellbeing.

Regional restrictions

 Official guidance on the restrictions applicable can be found on government websites:

• England 
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

For ongoing regionally specific information, please check the restrictions in your area and, where relevant, that of your clients, your place of work or educational establishment.

Assessing the risks

Practitioners should carefully consider every client, couple or group and risk assess in each case. If in doubt please refer to your supervisor and insurer. Employed therapists should follow their employer’s guidance around working practice. 

Irrespective of how you see clients, you must adhere to the UKCP Code of Ethics and Professional Practice, placing your clients best interests at the heart of your decision making. Ask how best you can serve your clients without compromising their health and safety. We appreciate that some clients may be keen to return to in-person therapy which may present personal risks to you and/or them. We would not penalise you for wishing to work remotely. Your biggest consideration will perhaps be how to communicate this message with those concerned.

Business and workplace advice

Governments across the UK's four nations have issued guidance on keeping safe in the workplace:

• England - workplace guidance including guidance for those working in or running offices and those who provide close contact services. See also the Health and Safety Executive's guidance on how to carry out a risk assessment.
• Scotland - General guidance for safer workplaces and more recently on returning to offices.
• Wales - Keep Wales safe at work
• Northern Ireland - workplace safety guidelines and social distancing.

COVID booster

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised that the COVID-19 booster should only be given at a minimum of six months after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. This means that you will only become eligible for a booster when passing the six-month mark from receipt of the second vaccination.

Eligible frontline health or social care workers in England and Scotland can book a booster dose appointment online:

• NHS England
• NHS Inform Scotland

Wales – Public Health Wales advises that frontline health and social care workers are eligible for the Autumn booster campaign and will be contacted by the health board for an appointment. The advice is to wait to be contacted. More information may be available on your local health board website.

Northern Ireland – The vaccination programme will primarily be delivered by GPs and community pharmacies. Trusts will be vaccinating care home residents and their own frontline staff. Community pharmacies will initially be vaccinating non-trust employed frontline health care staff before moving on to the eligible general population. Please contact your local community pharmacy to find out more. Information on the Northern Ireland booster programme is available at HSC Northern Ireland.

Those practising psychotherapy (UKCP registrants and trainees) were able to book a COVID-19 vaccination as frontline health and social care workers. Arrangements for the booster jabs should therefore reflect the previously inclusive arrangements. If you have any difficulties with them accepting your frontline status, please let our policy team know by emailing PolicyUKCP@ukcp.org.uk.

Vaccination

Each of the UK nations has its own programme of delivery:

• England: Vaccination information from NHS England
• Northern Ireland: Vaccination information from the HSC Public Health Agency
• Scotland: Vaccination information from NHS Scotland
• Wales: Vaccination information from Public Health Wales

Other sources of information

We are advising people who are looking for information about the virus to visit the NHS website, where you will find the most up-to-date information, including what to do if you are worried you might have symptoms, advice for travellers and common questions.

The GOV.UK website also has up-to-date information about the situation in the UK, and you may find further relevant information at GOV.Wales, GOV.Scot, and NorthernIreland.gov.uk.