This video explains that choosing a clinical agent is not just about naming someone you trust. The person needs the right professional judgement, reliability and ability to act appropriately during a difficult situation.
What is a clinical agent?
This depends on the structure of the practice, the professional responsibilities involved and the documents already in place. The safest approach is to create a clear, practical Clinical Continuity Plan that explains what should happen, who should act and where essential information is held.
Who should a therapist choose as their clinical agent?
This depends on the structure of the practice, the professional responsibilities involved and the documents already in place. The safest approach is to create a clear, practical Clinical Continuity Plan that explains what should happen, who should act and where essential information is held.
What qualities should a clinical agent have?
This depends on the structure of the practice, the professional responsibilities involved and the documents already in place. The safest approach is to create a clear, practical Clinical Continuity Plan that explains what should happen, who should act and where essential information is held.
Who should you choose as your clinical agent and what qualities make someone suitable?
What Is a Clinical Agent?
For BACP members, this is particularly timely.
From 3 November 2026, the new BACP Ethical Framework requires practitioners to have appointed someone who can communicate with clients and support alternative arrangements if serious illness or death means they cannot do so themselves.
Choosing that person is only part of the process. They also need clear instructions, appropriate access and a practical plan they can follow. Read more about the BACP 2026 requirements https://psych-va.co.uk/clinical-wills/bacp-clinical-will/
A clinical agent is the person appointed to step in and carry out the actions outlined in your Clinical Continuity Plan if you are suddenly unavailable.
They are there to:
- Access essential information
- Contact clients appropriately
- Manage immediate risk
- Secure records
- Ensure ethical and legal obligations are met
- Implement the steps in your plan
But what that role looks like will vary.
Because:
It depends on the structure of the practice, the professional responsibilities involved and the documents already in place. The safest approach is to create a clear, practical Clinical Continuity Plan that explains what should happen, who should act and where essential information is held.
For a sole practitioner, the clinical agent may primarily manage client contact and records.
For a group practice owner, the role may involve liaising with associates, overseeing risk cases and coordinating with legal representatives.
For a limited company director, there may also be corporate governance considerations.
Who Should a Therapist Choose as Their Clinical Agent?
This is where many therapists hesitate.
Common first thoughts are:
- “I’ll just ask a colleague.”
- “Maybe my supervisor?”
- “Could my partner do it?”
- “I don’t want to burden anyone.”
The right choice depends on multiple factors.
In general, a clinical agent should be:
- Professionally appropriate
- Comfortable handling confidential material
- Capable of managing risk conversations
- Willing to act
- Clear about the scope of their role
For some therapists, this will be a trusted professional colleague.
For others, especially in larger or more complex practices, a more formalised arrangement may be appropriate.
What’s crucial is that the person understands:
- What they are agreeing to
- When they would be asked to act
- What authority they have
- What support they would receive
What Qualities Should a Clinical Agent Have?
Choosing the right person isn’t just about availability. It’s about suitability.
A good clinical agent should demonstrate:
✔ Professional integrity
They understand confidentiality, boundaries and ethical practice.
✔ Emotional steadiness
They may be contacting distressed or vulnerable clients.
✔ Organisational capability
They’ll need to follow a structured plan.
✔ Reliability
This must work in real life.
✔ Clarity about limits
The task needs to be clearly set out.
The Mistake We See Most Often
The biggest issue we encounter?
Therapists naming someone…
Without:
- Clear written authority
- Data protection clarity
- Defined scope
- Access instructions
- Professional guidance
- Legal considerations
Choosing the person is only step one.
If You’re Unsure? That’s Normal!
Selecting a clinical agent can feel uncomfortable.
It requires:
- Thinking about worst-case scenarios
- Having grown-up professional conversations
- Putting clear boundaries in place
But it’s also one of the most responsible things you can do as a practitioner.
If you’re not sure who to choose, or how to formalise the arrangement properly, that’s exactly where structured support helps.
At Psych VA, we work with therapists to:
- Clarify the clinical agent role
- Define responsibilities
- Align legal and operational elements
- Ensure the plan is practical and robust
- Avoid overburdening colleagues
Because naming someone is easy.
Creating a plan that genuinely works is more nuanced.
Read more about our service here https://psych-va.co.uk/clinical-wills/
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