Relationship and Family Counselling Board (RFCB)

Risk Management Statement

Purpose

The Relationship and Family Counselling Board (RFCB) is committed to protecting the public and maintaining high standards of professional counselling practice. The Board has established robust governance, membership, and professional practice requirements designed to minimise risk, ensure accountability, and provide assurance that members are suitably qualified, competent, and professionally supported.

This Risk Management Statement outlines the systems and processes implemented by RFCB to manage professional risk and protect both the public and the integrity of the profession.

Membership Eligibility and Qualification Verification

RFCB only grants membership to applicants who can demonstrate that they possess appropriate education, professional competence, and ethical understanding relevant to their scope of practice.

Applicants are required to provide:

  • Proof of identity;

  • Copies of qualifications and academic transcripts where required;

  • Professional references where appropriate;

  • Evidence of supervision arrangements where applicable;

  • Any additional information reasonably requested by the Board.

Qualifications obtained outside New Zealand must:

  • Be recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA); or

  • Be assessed by NZQA as equivalent to a recognised New Zealand qualification.

Applications from allied professions may be considered where applicants can demonstrate qualifications and competencies that align with the RFCB Scope of Practice.

Qualification Standards

Applicants will normally hold one of the following:

  • Bachelor of Counselling;

  • Bachelor of Social Work;

  • Relevant Social Science Degree;

  • Postgraduate qualifications in Psychology, Psychotherapy, or related disciplines where counselling competencies can be demonstrated; or

  • Other equivalent qualifications approved by the Board on a case-by-case basis.

The Board recognises appropriately qualified international practitioners and supports fair recognition of overseas qualifications that meet New Zealand equivalency requirements.

Competency Assessment

RFCB recognises that qualifications alone do not necessarily demonstrate competence.

Membership decisions may consider:

  • Professional knowledge and counselling skills;

  • Ethical understanding and professional boundaries;

  • Communication abilities;

  • Cultural competence and culturally responsive practice;

  • Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi;

  • Supervision arrangements;

  • Professional experience;

  • Ability to practise safely within one's scope of competence.

Where necessary, applicants may be required to participate in interviews, provide case studies, submit portfolios, or provide further evidence of competency.

Independent Membership Assessment

Applications are ordinarily assessed by at least two independent assessors.

Assessors may review:

  • Qualifications and transcripts;

  • Professional references;

  • Scope of practice;

  • Supervision arrangements;

  • Professional portfolios;

  • Competency evidence;

  • Professional experience.

This process promotes consistency, transparency, and fairness in membership decision-making.

Provisional Membership Pathway

RFCB recognises that some applicants may require further professional development before meeting full membership requirements.

Provisional Membership may be granted subject to conditions, including:

  • Approved professional supervision;

  • Additional training requirements;

  • Case study submissions;

  • Reflective practice activities;

  • Demonstration of professional competence;

  • Ongoing review by the Board.

Provisional membership pathways support practitioner development while maintaining public safety.

Professional Supervision

RFCB requires practising members to participate in appropriate professional supervision.

Supervision is regarded as an essential risk management mechanism that supports:

  • Ethical decision-making;

  • Professional accountability;

  • Reflective practice;

  • Management of complex cases;

  • Safe and competent service delivery.

The Board may establish minimum supervision standards and require additional supervision where concerns regarding competence or professional conduct arise.

Continuing Professional Development

RFCB requires members to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.

Continuing professional development may include:

  • Formal education;

  • Workshops and seminars;

  • Cultural competency training;

  • Peer supervision;

  • Professional conferences;

  • Reflective learning activities;

  • Board-approved online learning.

Professional development requirements assist members to maintain current knowledge and safe professional practice.

Cultural Competence

RFCB recognises that culturally safe practice is fundamental to effective counselling.

Members are expected to:

  • Demonstrate cultural responsiveness;

  • Respect Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the status of Māori as tangata whenua;

  • Develop understanding of Māori models of wellbeing and the impact of historical and social inequities;

  • Provide respectful services to the diverse cultures and communities of Aotearoa New Zealand;

  • Seek cultural supervision, consultation, or further education where required.

Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

All members are required to:

  • Comply with the RFCB Code of Ethics;

  • Practise within their areas of competence;

  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries;

  • Act honestly and ethically;

  • Maintain confidentiality;

  • Participate in supervision and professional development;

  • Cooperate with Board investigations and reviews.

Complaints, Discipline, and Fitness to Practise

RFCB maintains formal processes for:

  • Complaints management;

  • Investigation of concerns;

  • Disciplinary action;

  • Appeals;

  • Fitness to Practise reviews.

The Board may:

  • Require additional supervision or education;

  • Impose conditions on membership;

  • Suspend membership;

  • Remove membership;

  • Refer matters to external authorities where required to protect the public.

The Board also maintains procedures for assessing concerns regarding a member's capacity to practise safely.

Public Protection and Risk Management

RFCB's governance framework is designed to:

  • Protect clients and the public;

  • Verify qualifications and competence;

  • Promote ethical and professional practice;

  • Support practitioner development;

  • Provide fair and transparent complaints procedures;

  • Maintain accountability and professional standards;

  • Reduce the risk of harm arising from unsafe or unethical practice.

RFCB considers these safeguards to represent reasonable and proportionate measures for the assessment, monitoring, and ongoing professional accountability of its members.

The Board is committed to continually reviewing and strengthening its governance systems to ensure public confidence and professional integrity are maintained.