Career Counselling Informed Consent Form About Career counselling is a collaborative process intended to assist you with addressing current career concerns and refining skills for developing your own career. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Career Solutions provides advice, resources, and support to help clients gain employment in Australia. Any use of the Careers Solutions program by any other person, or third parties, is strictly prohibited. Your Careers Coach will provide feedback via email only. You acknowledge that Career Solutions cannot guarantee job interviews or job offers (employment), as there are many factors that may impact the success of the program. Interview training will be provided during business hours only. After hours interview training can be provided at additional cost. Insurance Career Solutions has partnered with Focus Insurance Brokers to support your insurance and risk management requirements. This exclusive offer of combined professional indemnity and public liability insurance is only available to members of the ACA. Professional Standards of Counselling To comply with the Professional Standards, our counsellors have completed a careers-specific Graduate Certificate or higher qualification, where the course has been endorsed by the Career Industry Council of Australia as delivering content which ensures the individual possesses proficient knowledge in the areas set out in the Professional Standards. All counsellors are endorsed by CICA Graduate Certificate in Career Development or higher, or an equivalent career development specific qualification, and be a Professional Member of a CICA Member Association. Clients’ rights and obligations Clients have certain rights and obligations when engaging in a counselling relationship. Client Rights: Confidentiality: Clients have the right to expect that their personal information and discussions will be kept confidential, except in cases where there is a legal or ethical obligation to disclose information. Informed Consent: Clients have the right to receive clear and comprehensive information about the counselling process, including the goals, techniques, potential risks, and limitations involved. They have the right to provide informed consent before participating in any interventions or activities. Page 1 of 5 Non-discrimination: Clients have the right to be treated with respect and without discrimination based on factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. They should expect fair and equitable treatment throughout the counselling process. Autonomy and Self-determination: Clients have the right to make their own decisions regarding their counselling journey. They have the right to actively participate in goal-setting, treatment planning, and decision-making processes, and to have their preferences and values considered. Right to terminate: Clients have the right to terminate counselling services at any time if they feel it is no longer beneficial or aligned with their needs and goals. They have the right to seek alternative sources of support or choose a different counsellor if desired. Client Obligations: Honesty and Openness: Clients have an obligation to be honest and open with their counsellor, providing accurate and relevant information regarding their concerns, experiences, and feelings. This helps the counsellor gain a comprehensive understanding and provide appropriate support. Active Participation: Clients have an obligation to actively engage in the counselling process, including attending sessions regularly, actively participating in discussions, and completing agreedupon tasks or homework assignments. Active participation contributes to the effectiveness of the therapeutic process. Payment and Financial Responsibility: Clients have an obligation to fulfill their financial responsibilities, including paying fees for counselling services as agreed upon with the counsellor or in accordance with the established policies and arrangements. Respect for Boundaries: Clients have an obligation to respect the boundaries and professional standards set by the counsellor. This includes maintaining appropriate conduct, refraining from harassment or inappropriate behaviour, and adhering to the established guidelines and agreements within the counselling relationship. Counsellors Personal Safety Career Solutions is committed to ensuring the personal safety of our counsellors. This policy establishes guidelines to create a safe and secure working environment, emphasizing the following: Safety Awareness: Counsellors have the right to work in an environment free from harassment, violence, or threats to their personal safety. We will provide safety training and resources to enhance awareness and equip Counsellors with strategies to manage challenging situations. Risk Assessment and Prevention: Regular risk assessments will be conducted to identify potential hazards and risks in the Counselling environment. Appropriate preventive measures, such as security protocols or controlled access, will be implemented to minimize risks. Clients at risk Career Solutions acknowledges the unique needs of clients who are at risk. We have established procedures to identify and assess at-risk clients, ensuring their safety and well-being. We maintain a network of external resources and agencies to provide appropriate referrals. Collaboration among Page 2 of 5 counsellors, supervisors, and external service providers is prioritized to develop comprehensive care plans. Confidentiality and informed consent are upheld while recognizing the limits of confidentiality in at-risk cases. We provide specialized training for counsellors, maintain accurate documentation, and adhere to ethical guidelines. Regular evaluation and improvement drive the effectiveness of our policy in supporting clients at risk. Working with Underage Children Career Solutions is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for Counsellors working with underage children. This policy establishes guidelines to ensure the well-being, protection, and ethical treatment of underage children during Counselling sessions. We prioritize informed consent, parental involvement, and the maintenance of professional boundaries. Confidentiality, age-appropriate Counselling, cultural sensitivity, ongoing training, and proper documentation are essential components of our practice. We are dedicated to complying with legal and ethical standards, promoting the safety and welfare of underage children, and fostering a culture of professional growth and support among our Counsellors. Conduct of Client and Practitioner At Career Solutions, we adhere to the professional standards required of a Careers Practitioner. We expect the client-consultant relationship to be a positive and constructive one. We will not tolerate aggressive, obscene, degrading or inappropriate conduct. We reserve the right to suspend service to a client at our discretion without a refund of fees. Confidentiality and privacy As a Careers Counsellor registered with the Careers Development Association of Australian (CDAA), I agree to adhere to the National Standards for Careers Advisors and their associated Code of Conduct. This includes accessing and divulging personal information and adhering to the most recent and relevant Privacy Act. I also agree that I will not disclose information unless it is necessary to “protect you or someone else from imminent harm” or is otherwise legally required and/or allowed by law (such as abuse of a child, elder, or disabled person or court order). If you are under 18, your parents or legal guardian(s) may have access to your records and may authorize release to other parties. Please be advised that I cannot ensure the confidentiality and privacy of any form of communication conducted via electronic media. You are advised that any email sent to me via a computer in a workplace environment is legally accessible by an employer. Collection of Personal Information We are dedicated to safeguarding the privacy and security of personal information collected from our clients. Personal information will be collected and used solely for the purpose of providing counselling services. Prior consent will be obtained from clients, and appropriate security measures will be implemented to protect against unauthorized access or disclosure. Clients have the right to access and request corrections to their personal information. Compliance with privacy laws and regulations is paramount to our organization. Page 3 of 5 Conduct of Client and Practitioner At Career Solutions, we adhere to the professional standards required of a Careers Practitioner. We expect the client-consultant relationship to be a positive and constructive one. We will not tolerate aggressive, obscene, degrading or inappropriate conduct. We reserve the right to suspend service to a client at our discretion without a refund of fees. Records Management Our records management policy for career counselling ensures the proper creation, storage, and disposal of client records. We aim to maintain the confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity of client information while adhering to legal and ethical standards. Confidentiality: We prioritize client privacy and implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access, loss, or theft of records. Physical and electronic records should be stored securely, and electronic records should be protected by passwords and encryption. Retention and Disposal: Records should be retained for the required minimum period as specified by laws and professional guidelines. Disposal should be done securely to maintain confidentiality. Consultations Career Solutions is dedicated to providing exceptional consultation services. Our team will conduct consultations with professionalism, empathy, and respect for client needs. We commit to active listening, asking relevant questions, and offering valuable guidance. All consultations will be conducted in a confidential manner, ensuring client privacy and data protection. Our consultants will adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain a client-centered approach, striving to meet and exceed expectations in every consultation. We continuously seek to enhance our consultation processes and skills to deliver the highest quality service to our clients. Fees and Payment Sessions are $150 and all fees and payment will be collected at the time of service. Other services personalised Resume ($199), personalised Cover Letter ($99) or Bundle Package Discount ($147) Cancellations Individual appointments are scheduled for 45-minute segments. Being late for an appointment by 20 minutes or more may require that you reschedule. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will be charged a $75 no-show fee. Client Complaints At Career Solutions we recognize the importance of addressing client complaints effectively. Clients are encouraged to submit their complaints in writing, providing specific details of the issue. We will acknowledge complaints within 48 hours and initiate a prompt and impartial investigation. Our organization is committed to resolving complaints in a fair and satisfactory manner, communicating with clients throughout the process. We value client feedback and use it to improve our services and prevent future issues. Page 4 of 5 Complaints At Career Solutions we prioritise client confidentiality, thorough assessments, and staying informed about available support services. We have clear guidelines for making appropriate referrals, foster collaboration with external providers, and maintain documentation for follow-up. Accessibility and inclusivity are paramount, considering diverse client needs. Ongoing professional development ensures counsellors stay knowledgeable about resources. We regularly evaluate the effectiveness of our policy to make improvements. Our commitment is to provide comprehensive support through referrals, empowering clients to access the appropriate services for their career needs while maintaining confidentiality and upholding ethical standards. PLEASE SIGN THAT YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PRACTICE I have read, understood, agree, and consent to the above conditions related to the delivery of Career Counselling Services. Client Name: Client Signature Date: Please note that if you are under age 18, You must have your parent’s or guardian’s permission to receive Career Counselling Services, This includes Psychometric assessment services. I hereby grant permission to ______________________________ to counsel and assess _________________________________________________________________________________ Parent Name: Parent Signature: Date: Page 5 of 5
