Using AI Responsibly in Counselling Training
1. Purpose
This policy outlines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used responsibly within Redlands Counselling Training. It sets clear boundaries to ensure ethical practice, academic integrity, and protection of confidentiality.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All students enrolled in Redlands Counselling Training programmes
- All tutors, supervisors, and assessors
- All training, assessment, and placement-related activities where AI tools may be considered
3. Guiding Principles
- Integrity: All submitted work must be the student’s own. AI must not be used to generate entire assignments or fabricate evidence.
- Transparency: Any use of AI must be acknowledged in the submission.
- Confidentiality: No identifying client, placement, or peer roleplay information may be entered into AI tools unless fully anonymised and authorised.
- Ethics: AI use must align with Redlands’ values and ethical standards.
4. Acceptable Uses of AI
Students may use AI tools to:
- Research topics (with fact-checking from credible sources)
- Generate ideas or prompts for reflective writing or projects
- Improve grammar, structure, or clarity of written work
- Support time management and study planning
- Create revision tools such as flashcards or quizzes
- Explore simplified explanations of theories before consulting academic sources
5. Prohibited Uses of AI
Students must not:
- Submit AI-generated work without substantial personal input
- Use AI to fabricate client or case material
- Input real names, identifiable details, or confidential information into AI tools
- Use AI to bypass critical thinking or personal reflection
- Rely solely on AI for factual accuracy without verification
6. AI in Counselling Practice & Placements
Students in placement or service settings must:
- Avoid using AI for clinical decision-making
- Never upload session notes, recordings, or client details into AI tools unless explicitly permitted and fully anonymised
- Be aware of the limitations and potential biases of AI outputs
7. AI Use by Tutors
Tutors may use AI tools to:
- Generate teaching materials or examples (ensuring accuracy and relevance)
- Assist with administrative tasks or resource creation
- Support students in developing AI literacy within the counselling context
8. Academic Integrity & Consequences
Failure to follow this policy may result in:
- Work being deemed inadmissible for assessment
- Requirement to resubmit work without AI input
- Disciplinary action for serious breaches, particularly those involving confidentiality or plagiarism
9. Student Guidance
Students are encouraged to use AI responsibly by:
- Supporting learning, not replacing it
- Verifying AI-generated information
- Removing all personal, peer, or client identifiers before input
- Adding personal analysis and reflection
- Acknowledging AI use in submissions (e.g., 'I used [Tool Name] to assist with grammar and sentence clarity. All ideas, analysis, and reflections are my own.')
10. Review & Updates
This policy will be reviewed annually to reflect changes in legislation, technology, and best practice.
V3 25/26 Reviewed September 2025